Roberto Fabian AYALA
It seems to be a matter of chromosomes since Fabian Ayala, argentinean from Parana', province of Entre Rios, is not the only professional player of his family. He is not even the only one to play the position of sweeper. His grandfather did it and also his father who played for San Jose'. Now that's the same position of his younger brother Cristian, who plays with Ferrocaril Oeste, the team which also launched Fabian. Therefore this is a real family tradition.
Fabian found himself under the spotlight at the end of 1993 when he left Ferrocaril to play for River Plate, the most famous club of Argentine; it was Daniel Passarella in person who wanted him. In 1994-'95 he won a championship and was called to play with the national team of which he quickly became the captain.
He proved to be such a tough and determined defender, very skilful in acrobatic and air moves, that european football started showing some interest in him. In 1995 Parma (where he never played) secured him by a big hoard of money, 5 thousand million of italian lira, before trading him to Napoli within the complex deal which brought Cannavaro in Emilia and allowed Napoli to enroll itself to the italian championship. This season luck stayed far from Napoli.
The team lies at the bottom of the standing, and serie B looks to be more and more unavoidable. The argentinean player tried not to be dragged by the events, showing his usual qualities as a fighter even having to play the new position of stopper.He is still part of the national team coached by Daniel Passarella, but so far the season of world championship has been giving him only bitterness