Salvador Ballesta
Encyclopedia
Salvador Ballesta Vialcho, aka Salva (born 22 May 1975) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a striker.
A goal-poacher noted for his flair and workrate, he played for seven different top division clubs, most notably Atlético Madrid, Valencia
- with whom he won his sole team trophy - and Málaga
.
Over the course of 11 La Liga
seasons, Salva amassed totals of 235 games and 87 goals, adding 126/52 in Segunda División
.
, Aragon
. After making his professional debuts with Sevilla FC
, he won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1999–2000 season, scoring 27 goals to lead La Liga
's scoring charts for Racing de Santander
. He then moved to Segunda División
with Atlético de Madrid (freshly relegated) and proceeded to lead the side with 21 league goals, although the Colchoneros did not return to the top level.
In the 2001 summer, Salva joined Valencia CF
, netting five goals to help the side become league champion after a 31-year drought. He was rarely used in the following season, and was subsequently briefly part of the Bolton Wanderers
side which avoided Premier League relegation in 2003. He had another two loan stints from 2003–05, with Málaga CF
(18 league goals) and Atlético Madrid, being subsequently released and signing with the former.
In January 2007, Salva joined top flight strugglers Levante UD
on loan from Málaga (then in the second division). On February 4, he played his first league match for the club in an away win against Real Madrid
, scoring the game's only goal. After the season's end, with the Valencian
managing to retain their status, he returned to Málaga, and scored seven league goals to help the Andalusia
outfit achieve top division promotion.
As he spent most of 2008–09 hampered by recurrent injuries, Salva was still able to contribute, notably coming from the bench against neighbours UD Almería
and helping turn the score from 0–2 to a 3–2 home win with two goals, on 9 February 2009. On March 15, he added another brace against another neighbouring club, in a 2–2 home draw against former club Sevilla. When the season ended, he was released after his contract expired.
In the dying hours of the 2009 August transfer window, Salva signed a 1+1 contract with Albacete Balompié
, aged 34. However, at the end of his first season
, where he appeared almost exclusively as a backup, the 35-year old was one of 14 players who were not given a contract extension, being released and retiring shortly after, at the age of 35; subsequently, he re-joined former team Málaga as a youth coach, alongside former club teammate Francesc Arnau
.
, the first one in a friendly home match against Poland
, on 26 January 2000 (3–0), subbing in for Ismael Urzaiz
with 20 minutes remaining.
Atlético Madrid
, ultraconservative
, militaristic
and at times even fascist
, as well as his aggressive demeanor towards fellow players at the opposite side of the political spectrum.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a striker.
A goal-poacher noted for his flair and workrate, he played for seven different top division clubs, most notably Atlético Madrid, Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
- with whom he won his sole team trophy - and Málaga
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
.
Over the course of 11 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
seasons, Salva amassed totals of 235 games and 87 goals, adding 126/52 in Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
.
Club career
Salva was born in ZaragozaZaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
, Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
. After making his professional debuts with Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
, he won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1999–2000 season, scoring 27 goals to lead La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
's scoring charts for Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
. He then moved to Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
with Atlético de Madrid (freshly relegated) and proceeded to lead the side with 21 league goals, although the Colchoneros did not return to the top level.
In the 2001 summer, Salva joined Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, netting five goals to help the side become league champion after a 31-year drought. He was rarely used in the following season, and was subsequently briefly part of the Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
side which avoided Premier League relegation in 2003. He had another two loan stints from 2003–05, with Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
(18 league goals) and Atlético Madrid, being subsequently released and signing with the former.
In January 2007, Salva joined top flight strugglers Levante UD
Levante UD
Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, in the namesake community.Founded in 1909, it plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadi Ciutat de València.-Early years:...
on loan from Málaga (then in the second division). On February 4, he played his first league match for the club in an away win against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, scoring the game's only goal. After the season's end, with the Valencian
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
managing to retain their status, he returned to Málaga, and scored seven league goals to help the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
outfit achieve top division promotion.
As he spent most of 2008–09 hampered by recurrent injuries, Salva was still able to contribute, notably coming from the bench against neighbours UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
and helping turn the score from 0–2 to a 3–2 home win with two goals, on 9 February 2009. On March 15, he added another brace against another neighbouring club, in a 2–2 home draw against former club Sevilla. When the season ended, he was released after his contract expired.
In the dying hours of the 2009 August transfer window, Salva signed a 1+1 contract with Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
, aged 34. However, at the end of his first season
2009–10 Segunda División
The 2009–10 Segunda División was made up of the following teams:-League table:||rowspan=15 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-2009–10 Results:To read this table, the home team is listed in the left-hand column....
, where he appeared almost exclusively as a backup, the 35-year old was one of 14 players who were not given a contract extension, being released and retiring shortly after, at the age of 35; subsequently, he re-joined former team Málaga as a youth coach, alongside former club teammate Francesc Arnau
Francesc Arnau
Francesc Xavier Arnau Grabulosa is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper....
.
International career
Salva played four international matches with SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, the first one in a friendly home match against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, on 26 January 2000 (3–0), subbing in for Ismael Urzaiz
Ismael Urzaiz
Ismael Urzaiz Aranda is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a centre forward.Best known for his physical strength and aerial ability, the unsuccessful youth graduate at Real Madrid went on to represent seven other teams during his extensive professional career, mainly Athletic Bilbao...
with 20 minutes remaining.
Country
Spain U21- UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 19981998 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....
Individual
Racing Santander- Pichichi Trophy: 1999–2000
Atlético Madrid
- Pichichi Trophy Second Division: 2000–01
Personal
Off the pitch, Salva is notorious for his outspoken personality and his political beliefs, far to the right of most of his peers' and routinely characterized as overtly nationalisticSpanish nationalism
Spanish nationalism is the social, political and ideological movement which has shaped Spain's national identity since the 19th century.Spanish nationalism is not an irredentist nationalism per se, the only territorial revindication identified as actually being "national" as such having been...
, ultraconservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, militaristic
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
and at times even fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
, as well as his aggressive demeanor towards fellow players at the opposite side of the political spectrum.