Juan Román Riquelme
Walter Gaitán began his career in Argentina with Rosario Central in 1997. He left the team in 1998 and moved to Villarreal of the Spanish Liga. After two years in Spain, he returned to Argentina in early 2001, joining Boca Juniors by request of coach Carlos Bianchi. Gaitán became a regular substitute of Juan Román Riquelme. He scored an early goal in semifinals of the 2001 Copa Libertadores against Palmeiras at the Estádio Palestra Itália. Boca Juniors became the 2001 Copa Libertadores champions.