Ricardo Rojas (footballer, born 1971): Difference between revisions

Ricardo Rojas
Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Ismael Rojas Mendoza
Date of birth	26 January 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth	Posadas, Argentina
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Full-back
Youth career
1991	Argentinos Juniors
Senior career*
Years	Team
1991–1992	Cerro Corá
1992–1994	Libertad
1994–1999	Estudiantes
1999–2001	Benfica
2001	→ River Plate (loan)
2002–2006	River Plate
2006–2007	Belgrano
Total
International career
1997–1998	Paraguay
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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Ricardo Ismael Rojas Mendoza (born 26 January 1971) is a retired Paraguayan professional footballer who played as a full-back.

He first came into notability at Libertad in Paraguay, transferring to Estudiantes in 1995, where he established himself and received his first call-up for Paraguay national team. In 1999, he moved to Benfica, but less than a year and half later was back at Argentina, playing for River Plate until 2006. He represented Paraguay seven times, being a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Born in Posadas, at the Argentine province of Misiones, Rojas played for Argentinos Juniors at the same time as Christian Dollberg in 1991.^[1] He moved to Cerro Corá in the same year and participated in their campaign in the Primera División.^[2] In 1992, he joined the larger Club Libertad, where he secured a place in the first team, amassing over 50 league matches in three seasons.^[2] After five years in Paraguay, Rojas returned to Argentina, signing with Estudiantes.^[2]

In Estudiantes, he played the left-back role for four seasons with more than 120 league appearances, but without winning any silverware. In July 1999, the 28-year-old moved abroad and joined Benfica, alongside his teammate, Carlos Bossio;in what he labelled the transfer as the highest point in his career.^[3] According to Record, the fee for both was three million dollars.^[4] He made his debut on 12 September, in a 3–0 away win against Santa Clara,^[5] and went on to play 30 games in all competitions, mainly as a right-back.^[6]^[7] However, in 2000–01, the signings of Ivan Dudić on the right, and the breakthrough of Diogo Luís on the left, severely diminished his playing time,^[8]^[9] so in February 2001, he was loaned to River Plate.^[10] His pay-check there was a reported 500 thousand dollars, one of highest in the league.^[11]

Initially, under Américo Gallego, he could only play in the Copa Libertadores due to his late arrival in the season.^[12] In 2001–02, already with Ramón Díaz in charge, Rojas alternated with Matías Lequi on the left and despite speculation that he would be released, he signed on permanent deal in early 2002.^[12] On 11 March 2002, he scored his only top tier goal, in a 3–0 victory of River over its main rivals, Boca Juniors.^[12]^[13] After scoring that goal, he was nicknamed vaseline.^[14] He would play for River for a further four years, retiring in 2007 after a brief spell at Belgrano.^[2] After football, he became a farmer and moved back to his home-town.^[14]

International career

Despite being born in Argentina, Rojas grandparents were from Paraguay. He hoped of playing for Argentina but the stiff competition made it difficult for him to ever receive a call-up, so he opted to represent Paraguay instead, as he explained in 1999: "My grandparents were Paraguayans and before I played in Argentina, I had already received a call-up to play for Paraguay. Still, I turned it down because my ambition was to play for the Argentina national team, but I soon figured out my chances were slim. Just before the World Cup in France, I was invited again by the Paraguayan Football Association and ended up accepting it and representing Paraguay in the World Cup."^[3] He was listed in squad for the 1997 Copa América,^[15] and was a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but did not make any appearances.^[16] In total, he received 7 call-ups from 1997 to 1998.

References

General

Tovar, Rui Miguel (2012). Almanaque do Benfica. Portugal: Lua de Papel. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.

Specific

^ "Dollberg: "Rojas é forte fisicamente e um ser humano fantástico"" [Dollberg: "Rojas is well-built and an amazing person"]. Record (in Portuguese). 6 October 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Onde Está – Ricardo Rojas (PAR)" [Where is Ricardo Rojas?]. A Outra Visão (in Portuguese). 7 March 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Ricardo Rojas: "O ponto mais alto da minha carreira"" [Ricardo Rojas: "The highest point of my career"]. Record (in Portuguese). 18 June 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ "Bossio e Rojas estão totalmente pagos" [Bossio and Rojas are completely paid]. Record (in Portuguese). 27 July 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ Tovar 2012, p. 572.
^ Tovar 2012, p. 577.
^ "Rojas admite época "frustrante" do Benfica" [Rojas admits frustrating season at Benfica]. Record (in Portuguese). 10 May 2000. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ "Dudic mantém titularidade" [Dudic remains in the starting eleven]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 January 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ Tovar 2012, p. 581.
^ "Rojas emprestado ao River Plate" [Rojas loaned to River Plate]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 February 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ "Rojas com contrato milionário rotulado já "novo Maradona"" [Rojas with millionaire fee, labelled "new Maradona"]. Record (in Portuguese). 20 March 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Rojas, el apellido de la inesperada figura" [Rojas, the last name of an unexpected hero]. La Nacíon (in Spanish). 10 March 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ "Así lo soñó River" [The way that River dreamt]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 10 March 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Ricardo Rojas, de la vaselina a Boca, a vivir en el campo y no ver más fútbol" [Ricardo Rojas, the vaseline of Boca, living in the countryside, without watching football]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 9 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ "Copa América 1997 - Rosters". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ "Ricardo Rojas at FIFA.com". FIFA. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

External links

Ricardo Rojas at National-Football-Teams.com
Ricardo Rojas at ForaDeJogo (archived)

[1] "Dollberg: "Rojas é forte fisicamente e um ser humano fantástico"" [Dollberg: "Rojas is well-built and an amazing person"]. Record (in Portuguese). 6 October 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[OV-2] "Onde Está – Ricardo Rojas (PAR)" [Where is Ricardo Rojas?]. A Outra Visão (in Portuguese). 7 March 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[nft-3] "Ricardo Rojas: "O ponto mais alto da minha carreira"" [Ricardo Rojas: "The highest point of my career"]. Record (in Portuguese). 18 June 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[4] "Bossio e Rojas estão totalmente pagos" [Bossio and Rojas are completely paid]. Record (in Portuguese). 27 July 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[FOOTNOTETovar2012572-5] Tovar 2012, p. 572.

[FOOTNOTETovar2012577-6] Tovar 2012, p. 577.

[7] "Rojas admite época "frustrante" do Benfica" [Rojas admits frustrating season at Benfica]. Record (in Portuguese). 10 May 2000. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[8] "Dudic mantém titularidade" [Dudic remains in the starting eleven]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 January 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[FOOTNOTETovar2012581-9] Tovar 2012, p. 581.

[10] "Rojas emprestado ao River Plate" [Rojas loaned to River Plate]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 February 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[11] "Rojas com contrato milionário rotulado já "novo Maradona"" [Rojas with millionaire fee, labelled "new Maradona"]. Record (in Portuguese). 20 March 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[gol-12] "Rojas, el apellido de la inesperada figura" [Rojas, the last name of an unexpected hero]. La Nacíon (in Spanish). 10 March 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[13] "Así lo soñó River" [The way that River dreamt]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 10 March 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[retire-14] "Ricardo Rojas, de la vaselina a Boca, a vivir en el campo y no ver más fútbol" [Ricardo Rojas, the vaseline of Boca, living in the countryside, without watching football]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 9 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[15] "Copa América 1997 - Rosters". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[16] "Ricardo Rojas at FIFA.com". FIFA. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

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@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
  | youthclubs1 = [[Argentinos Juniors]]
 | years1 = 1991–1992
-| years2 = 1992–1995
+| years2 = 1992–1994
-| years3 = 1995–1999
+| years3 = 1994–1999
 | years4 = 1999–2001
 | years5 = 2001
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 Born in [[Posadas, Misiones|Posadas]], at the Argentine province of [[Misiones Province|Misiones]], Rojas played for [[Argentinos Juniors]] at the same time as [[Christian Dollberg]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dollberg: "Rojas é forte fisicamente e um ser humano fantástico"|trans-title=Dollberg: "Rojas is well-built and an amazing person"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-clubes/liga-europa/detalhe/dollberg-rojas-e-forte-fisicamente-e-um-ser-humano-fantastico.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=6 October 1999|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He moved to [[Club Cerro Corá|Cerro Corá]] in the same year and participated in their campaign in the [[Paraguayan Primera División|Primera División]].<ref name=OV>{{cite web|title=Onde Está – Ricardo Rojas (PAR)|trans-title=Where is Ricardo Rojas?|url=https://aoutravisao.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/onde-esta-ricardo-rojas-par/|website=A Outra Visão|access-date=27 October 2015|language=Portuguese|date=7 March 2011}}</ref> In 1992, he joined the larger [[Club Libertad]], where he secured a place in the first team, amassing over 50 league matches in three seasons.<ref name=OV /> After five years in Paraguay, Rojas returned to Argentina, signing with [[Estudiantes de La Plata|Estudiantes]].<ref name=OV />
-In Estudiantes, he played the left-back role for four seasons with more than 120 league appearances, but without winning any silverware. In July 1999, the 28-year-old moved abroad and joined [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], alongside his teammate, [[Carlos Bossio]];in what he labelled the transfer as the highest point in his career.<ref name=nft>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Rojas: "O ponto mais alto da minha carreira"|trans-title=Ricardo Rojas: "The highest point of my career"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/ricardo-rojas-o-ponto-mais-alto-da-minha-carreira.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=18 June 1999|language=Portuguese}}</ref> According to [[Record (newspaper)|Record]], the fee for both was three million dollars.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bossio e Rojas estão totalmente pagos|trans-title=Bossio and Rojas are completely paid|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/bossio-e-rojas-estao-totalmente-pagos.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=27 July 1999|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He made his debut on 12 September, in a 3–0 away win against [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]],{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=572}} and went on to play 30 games in all competitions, mainly as a right-back.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=577}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Rojas admite época "frustrante" do Benfica|trans-title=Rojas admits frustrating season at Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/rojas-admite-epoca-frustrante-do-benfica.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=10 May 2000|language=Portuguese}}</ref> However, in [[2000–01 S.L. Benfica season|2000–01]], the signings of [[Ivan Dudić]] on the right, and the breakthrough of [[Diogo Luís]] on the left, severely diminished his playing time,<ref>{{cite news|title=Dudic mantém titularidade|trans-title=Dudic remains in the starting eleven|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/dudic-mantem-titularidade.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=21 January 2001|language=Portuguese}}</ref>{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=581}} so in February 2001, he was loaned to [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rojas emprestado ao River Plate|trans-title=Rojas loaned to River Plate|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/rojas-emprestado-ao-river-plate.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=9 February 2001|language=Portuguese}}</ref> His pay-check there was a reported 500 thousand dollars, one of highest in the league.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rojas com contrato milionário rotulado já "novo Maradona"|trans-title=Rojas with millionaire fee, labelled "new Maradona"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/rojas-com-contrato-milionario-rotulado-ja-novo-maradona.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=20 March 2001|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
+In Estudiantes, he played the left-back role for four seasons with more than 120 league appearances, but without winning any silverware. In July 1999, the 28-year-old moved abroad and joined [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], alongside his teammate, [[Carlos Bossio]];in what he labelled the transfer as the highest point in his career.<ref name=nft>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Rojas: "O ponto mais alto da minha carreira"|trans-title=Ricardo Rojas: "The highest point of my career"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/ricardo-rojas-o-ponto-mais-alto-da-minha-carreira.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=18 June 1999|language=Portuguese}}</ref> According to [[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]], the fee for both was three million dollars.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bossio e Rojas estão totalmente pagos|trans-title=Bossio and Rojas are completely paid|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/bossio-e-rojas-estao-totalmente-pagos.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=27 July 1999|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He made his debut on 12 September, in a 3–0 away win against [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]],{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=572}} and went on to play 30 games in all competitions, mainly as a right-back.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=577}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Rojas admite época "frustrante" do Benfica|trans-title=Rojas admits frustrating season at Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/rojas-admite-epoca-frustrante-do-benfica.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=10 May 2000|language=Portuguese}}</ref> However, in [[2000–01 S.L. Benfica season|2000–01]], the signings of [[Ivan Dudić]] on the right, and the breakthrough of [[Diogo Luís]] on the left, severely diminished his playing time,<ref>{{cite news|title=Dudic mantém titularidade|trans-title=Dudic remains in the starting eleven|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/dudic-mantem-titularidade.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=21 January 2001|language=Portuguese}}</ref>{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=581}} so in February 2001, he was loaned to [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rojas emprestado ao River Plate|trans-title=Rojas loaned to River Plate|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/rojas-emprestado-ao-river-plate.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=9 February 2001|language=Portuguese}}</ref> His pay-check there was a reported 500 thousand dollars, one of highest in the league.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rojas com contrato milionário rotulado já "novo Maradona"|trans-title=Rojas with millionaire fee, labelled "new Maradona"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/rojas-com-contrato-milionario-rotulado-ja-novo-maradona.html|access-date=27 October 2015|work=Record|date=20 March 2001|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
 Initially, under [[Américo Gallego]], he could only play in the [[2001 Copa Libertadores|Copa Libertadores]] due to his late arrival in the season.<ref name=gol /> In [[2001–02 Argentine Primera División|2001–02]], already with [[Ramón Díaz]] in charge, Rojas alternated with [[Matías Lequi]] on the left and despite speculation that he would be released, he signed on permanent deal in early 2002.<ref name=gol>{{cite news|title=Rojas, el apellido de la inesperada figura|trans-title=Rojas, the last name of an unexpected hero|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/380087-rojas-el-apellido-de-la-inesperada-figura|access-date=27 October 2015|work=La Nacíon|date=10 March 2002|language=Spanish}}</ref> On 11 March 2002, he scored his only top tier goal, in a 3–0 victory of River over its main rivals, [[Club Atlético Boca Juniors|Boca Juniors]].<ref name=gol /><ref>{{cite news|title=Así lo soñó River|trans-title=The way that River dreamt|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/380039-asi-lo-sono-river|access-date=27 October 2015|work=La Nacion|date=10 March 2002|language=Spanish}}</ref> After scoring that goal, he was nicknamed ''[[vaseline]]''.<ref name=retire>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Rojas, de la vaselina a Boca, a vivir en el campo y no ver más fútbol|trans-title=Ricardo Rojas, the vaseline of Boca, living in the countryside, without watching football|url=http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1454909-ricardo-rojas-de-la-vaselina-a-boca-a-vivir-en-el-campo-y-no-ver-mas-futbol|access-date=27 October 2015|work=La Nacion|date=9 March 2012|language=Spanish}}</ref> He would play for River for a further four years, retiring in 2007 after a brief spell at [[Club Atlético Belgrano|Belgrano]].<ref name=OV /> After football, he became a farmer and moved back to his home-town.<ref name=retire />
 ==International career==
-Despite being born in Argentina, Rojas grandparents were from Paraguay. He hoped of playing for [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] but the stiff competition made it difficult for him to ever receive a call-up, so he opted to represent [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] instead, as he explained in 1999: "My grandparents were Paraguayans and before I played in Argentina, I had already received a call-up to play for Paraguay. Still, I turned it down because my ambition was to play for the Argentina national team, but I soon figured out my chances were slim. Just before the World Cup in France, I was invited again by the [[Paraguayan Football Association]] and ended up accepting it and representing Paraguay in the World Cup."<ref name=nft /> He was listed in squad for the [[1997 Copa América]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Copa América 1997 - Rosters|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tables/97safull.html#rosters|website=RSSSF|access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref> and was a participant at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], but did not make any appearances.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricardo Rojas at FIFA.com|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=166232/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004063418/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=166232/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2015|website=[[FIFA]]|access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref> In total, he received 7 call-ups from 1997 to 1998.
+Despite being born in Argentina, Rojas grandparents were from Paraguay. He hoped of playing for [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] but the stiff competition made it difficult for him to ever receive a call-up, so he opted to represent [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] instead, as he explained in 1999: "My grandparents were Paraguayans and before I played in Argentina, I had already received a call-up to play for Paraguay. Still, I turned it down because my ambition was to play for the Argentina national team, but I soon figured out my chances were slim. Just before the World Cup in France, I was invited again by the [[Paraguayan Football Association]] and ended up accepting it and representing Paraguay in the World Cup."<ref name=nft /> He was listed in squad for the [[1997 Copa América]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Copa América 1997 - Rosters|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/97safull.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref> and was a participant at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], but did not make any appearances.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricardo Rojas at FIFA.com|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=166232/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004063418/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=166232/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2015|website=[[FIFA]]|access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref> In total, he received 7 call-ups from 1997 to 1998.
 ==References==
@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 [[Category:1971 births]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
-[[Category:People from Posadas, Misiones]]
+[[Category:Footballers from Posadas, Misiones]]
-[[Category:Citizens of Paraguay through descent]]
+[[Category:Paraguayan men's footballers]]
-[[Category:Paraguayan footballers]]
+[[Category:Paraguay men's international footballers]]
-[[Category:Paraguay international footballers]]
+[[Category:Argentine men's footballers]]
-[[Category:Argentine footballers]]
 [[Category:Argentine sportspeople of Paraguayan descent]]
-[[Category:Association football defenders]]
+[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
 [[Category:Club Libertad footballers]]
 [[Category:S.L. Benfica footballers]]
@@ Line 100: / Line 99: @@
 [[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
 [[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
-[[Category:Paraguayan expatriate footballers]]
+[[Category:Paraguayan expatriate men's footballers]]
-[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Argentina]]
+[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Argentina]]
-[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Portugal]]
+[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal]]
 [[Category:Paraguayan expatriate sportspeople in Portugal]]
 [[Category:1997 Copa América players]]
 [[Category:Argentine emigrants to Paraguay]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople from Misiones Province]]