Even though the reality of Real Zaragoza is one of the most depressing in its history, in this World Cup final between Spain and Argentina there will be up to six former members of the white team who will be competing for the world champion’s title.
The two most obvious, and the ones who can step on the pitch at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, are Borja Iglesias and Giuliano Simeone. The ‘Panda’ who has played a minute in this World Cup will want to lift the title with Spain, while Giuliano will hope to do so with Argentina.
Both left a good memory in the Aragonese capital, especially the Galician striker when in the 2027-2018 season he scored 23 goals and gave six assists. While the Argentine winger was on loan from Atlético de Madrid in 2022-2023 scoring nine goals and providing three assists.
THE STAFFS FULL OF ZARAGOCISMO
The coaching staff also have their dose of Zaragoza. In the case of Spain, Luis de la Fuente has Óscar Celada as his head of the Medical Department, a position he has held since 2009 and which he combined between 2008 and 2014 with his work at the Real Zaragoza. In addition, within that department, the former white player Javier López Vallejo acted as a psychologist. The former goalkeeper was in the Real Zaragoza between 2007 and 2009.
On the side of Scaloni’s coaching staff, two of his assistants are old acquaintances of La Romareda: Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala. The ‘Payasito’ was between 2006 and 2008 in the Real Zaragoza and left a good memory in his two seasons in the Aragonese capital before leaving for Benfica.
The remaining former Zaragoza player is ‘Ratón’ Ayala. The defender arrived at Zaragoza after a long career, especially at Valencia, and spent two and a half seasons (2007-2009) defending the lion’s shield before returning to his native Argentina.
