The Forgotten Icon Who Let Alcohol DESTROY His Career!

Ariel "El Burrito" Ortega was one of footballs hottest prospects in the mid-90s. Rising to prominence after a half-decade at River Plate, he had become a world-class playmaker, famed for his unpredictable dribbling and signature lobbed goals. However, short unsuccessful stints in Spain, Italy and Turkey as well as an infamous red card at World Cup '98 had proven this little Argentine to be as human as the rest of us, and his faults began to show. How did it all go wrong for Maradona's supposed successor?
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:10 - Ortega's upbringing & Start in Football
0:46 - River Plate
3:13 - Transfer to Valencia
4:29 - The Ranieri Era
5:35 - 1998 World Cup
7:40 - Sampdoria Move
8:41 - Parma
9:27 - A Needed Homecoming & Los CUATRO FANTÁSTICOS
10:45 - Leading River to Victory
11:27 - Fenerbahçe
12:18 - Fined & Banned by FIFA
12:50 - Rescued by Newell's Old Boys
13:23 - River Plate Return, Rehab, and Diego Simeone
14:34 - Loaned-Out & Retirement
15:03 - Burrito Ortega
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#argentina #maradona #football

[@dionysise5008]

I remember Ortega and his 1998wc as the first of many "next Maradona". Then came Riquelme and Aymar and Saviola and then.. the Messiah ⚽

[@gunders85]

Marcelo Gallardo, Andres D'Alesandro, there were so many. Not to mention Verón who usually played as the CAM for the national team then

[@Luso00_]

Argentina was desperate to find the next Diego. Riquelme and Aimar were great, but they weren't Diego.

[@robbie260]

I just started watching clips of El burrito Ortega but knew so little of him and then I see that you drop this masterpiece! Thank you so much 🙏

[@datpham1439]

I can't wait to see this one brother Retro! Ariel Ortega not only had Maradona's technique, hairstyle and flair; but they also shared the same temperament😊

[@masters.1000]

You're the best man. You truly know to respect the sport and it's history.
Keep going.

[@theretroroute]

Appreciate that! 🙏

[@nmarcus7233]

Always wondered about him as I knew his name but never got to see him play. Love the RetroRoute!

[@carson3811]

On his day he was different class the closet to maradona in his prime.. small but strong amazing passing skill .. and would just run past players.. wee used to get Argentinian football on channel 5 watching Ortega he was different class a genius .. then players like aimar riquelme.. a young saviola Mario salas Juan Pablo angel .. even big Martin Palermo.. d allasandro some great young talent.. teves at Boca .. but to be honest Ortega was the best how he could just run past players with so much skill ball stuck to his foot .. had great finishing assist ability him and a prime aimar .. in Argentina were my favourites.. but Ortega had alcohol problems aimar had injury problems.. but Ortega when happy at River plate he was different class a joy to watch

[@nmarcus7233]

@@carson3811 I can imagine. Some talent never makes it as far as it can but we still enjoy it for what it is. In a way it would be boring if we got the perfect story every time lol.

[@hblock8361]

One of the best dribblers I have ever seen

[@Lucasarg23]

One of the best to ever do it in argentina! Thank you for the video!

[@theretroroute]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@BigTone999]

God given talent. His outside of the foot chip against Jamaica was heartbreaking for me but one of my favourite goals of all time. Another great video, you are quickly becoming the best at what you do.

[@anonital0204]

Another flawed genius revealed on this excellent channel. ⚽⚽⚽

[@nicocorbo4153]

great video. those chipped goals into the far post are other wordly

[@mikemurphy8996]

Pearl Jam on acoustic in the background. Well done

[@hiranom20]

To be honest, Ortega was more annoyed with Davids' marking that anything Stam did in that match against the Netherlands

[@ELDandy-bs2rr]

Love your videos keep up the good work

[@landarzt1331]

Wonderful video as always!

[@karanmalhotra2915]

Great Video

[@malakyahmalla8009]

The Donkey...one of the best

[@CharlesOffdensen]

Ortega is one of the best I have ever seen. Too bad he wasted his potential. Ortega had a good carrier, but it could have been much better.

[@onurtasdemir6768]

I'm a fenerbahce fan and remember his breif spell at our club although i was only 6.

[@aandwdabest]

Where did you find these background guitar and piano tracks? They fit your videos very well! The mockingbird cover is especially good.

[@giodhuha6771]

You might don't believe me but Ariel Ortega was the first Argentinian player i knew before even Diego Maradona.

[@epsilononemusic5041]

@theretroroute Off topic but who is that Spanish acoustic version of Pearl Jams Black in video? love it

[@ScratchNSniff6696]

3:24 he was 23 in this picture and looks in his 40s

[@TSPH1992]

You can't blame Simeone for the decision he made

[@malakyahmalla8009]

You left out Andres D'alessandro in the River plate quintet, not quartet

[@Nitsuga123]

I met him

[@jc-16.]

Van der sar diving like Tom daily.

[@anthonyleighton4754]

No pressure then....being called the next Diego...

[@user-nl9ip1su4c]

If you're going to do football videos at least pronounce the names right because the A of Ariel is pronounced like the A in Apple not the A in Air.

[@french_toast223]

Drugs and argentines have a great relationship

[@hblock8361]

Maradona, Ortega, Messi

[@DissAeon]

Drugs and humans*

[@user-dx2hl8sn9b]

Please have respect only god can judge