Celso Ayala

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Celso Rafael Ayala Gavilán (born August 20, 1970 in Asunción, Paraguay) is a Paraguayan football defender.

With 85 caps and 6 goals, he is one of the most capped players in the Paraguayan national team. Ayala became a key player in Paraguay's national team outstading defensive line in the 1990's, along with fellow defenders Francisco Arce and Carlos Gamarra. His characteristics were leadership in the field, good positioning and superb tackling and heading skills.

[edit] Playing career

Year	Club	Country
May 1990 - July 1994	Olimpia	Paraguay
Aug - Dec 1994	Rosario Central	Argentina
Jan 1995 - Dec 1998	River Plate	Argentina
Jan 1999 - Jul 1999	Real Betis	Spain
Aug 1999 - June 2000	Atlético Madrid	Spain
Aug 2000 - Dec 2000	São Paulo FC	Brazil
Jan 2001 - Dec 2005	River Plate	Argentina
Jan 2006 - Feb 2006	Colo-Colo	Chile

[edit] Titles

1992 U23 South American champion with the Paraguayan national football team
1993 Paraguayan league champion with Olimpia
1996 Copa Libertadores champion with River Plate
1997 Supercopa Sudamericana champion with River Plate

	Paraguay squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup
1 Chilavert \| 2 Arce \| 3 Rivarola \| 4 Gamarra \| 5 Ayala \| 6 Aguilera \| 7 Yegros \| 8 A. Rojas \| 9 Cardozo \| 10 Acuña \| 11 Sarabia \| 12 Aceval \| 13 Paredes \| 14 R. Rojas \| 15 Benítez \| 16 Enciso \| 17 Brizuela \| 18 Ramírez \| 19 Morales \| 20 Caniza \| 21 Campos \| 22 Ruiz Díaz \| Coach: Carpegiani

	Paraguay squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup
1 Chilavert \| 2 Arce \| 3 Sarabia \| 4 Gamarra \| 5 Ayala \| 6 Struway \| 7 Báez \| 8 Alvarenga \| 9 Santa Cruz \| 10 Acuña \| 11 Campos \| 12 Villar \| 13 Paredes \| 14 Gavilán \| 15 Bonet \| 16 Morínigo \| 17 Franco \| 18 Cáceres \| 19 Sanabria \| 20 Cardozo \| 21 Caniza \| 22 Tavarelli \| 23 Cuevas \| Coach: Maldini