Ariel Arnaldo Ortega (born March 4, 1974 in Ledesma ) is an Argentinian footballer, who currently plays for Newell's Old Boys.

Ortega's previous clubs have included Fenerbahçe, Parma A.C., U.C. Sampdoria, Valencia C.F., and River Plate. He has been capped 89 times for the Argentinian national team, scoring 17 goals (as of the end of 2004). Ortega played for his country in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cups. His nickname is El Burrito.