Basque midfielder who had starred at Valencia, the team where he played for nine seasons, and where he showed his skills for controlling the midfield and offensive playmaking. Arrived at Barça on loan from Lazio and had a very consistent season in all competitions, with his skills and physical prowess. At the end of the championship he left for Middlesbrough in England, where he played for five seasons and also where he would hang up his boots.

Full biography:

Following his grand performances defending the white of Valencia for eight seasons, with whom, among other feats, he played in two Champions League finals, he switched to one of the continental giants of the era, Lazio of Italy. After one year he joined Barça on loan. It was a difficult year, with three different coaches: Louis Van Gaal, Toño de la Cruz and Radomir Antic. The team only edged into Europe in sixth place in the league, but Mendieta was a regular part of that Barça team, appearing from the first competitive match that season, the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Wisla Krakow, a clear 3-0 win for the blaugrana. The Camp Nou was also the stage for his last game for Barça. Radomir Antic’s side won on the final day, 2-0 against Celta Vigo. After Barcelona he returned to Rome to play for Lazio but before he had unpacked his bags he left for Middlesbrough where he played five seasons before retiring in 2008.