Marco Ruben

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ruben and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.

Marco Ruben
Ruben in 2012
Personal information
Full name Marco Gastón Ruben Rodríguez
Date of birth (1986-10-26) 26 October 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Capitán Bermúdez, Argentina
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Rosario Central
Number 9
Youth career
Rosario Central
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Rosario Central 77 (20)
2007 River Plate 28 (7)
2008–2012 Villarreal 65 (14)
2008–2009 → Recreativo (loan) 43 (7)
2009–2010 Villarreal B 31 (18)
2012–2016 Dynamo Kyiv 11 (1)
2013–2014 → Évian (loan) 25 (1)
2014 → Tigres (loan) 10 (0)
2015–2016 → Rosario Central (loan) 41 (28)
2016–2022 Rosario Central 95 (35)
2019 → Athletico Paranaense (loan) 23 (4)
2023–2024 Deportivo Maldonado 13 (3)
2024– Rosario Central 6 (1)
International career
2011 Argentina 1 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:26, 28 September 2024 (UTC)

Marco Gastón Ruben Rodríguez (born 26 October 1986) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a striker for Rosario Central.

He spent the better part of his 18-year career with Rosario Central, scoring 105 goals in all competitions. He also played in Spain, Ukraine, France, Mexico and Brazil.

Ruben won one cap for the Argentina national team, in 2011.

Club career

Born in Capitán Bermúdez, Santa Fe Province, Ruben started his career with Rosario Central in 2004. In the 2006 Apertura tournament he scored seven goals in 17 matches to be the team's top scorer, and this brought him to the attention of several major clubs in Argentina and Europe, with Club Atlético River Plate eventually winning the battle and paying US$7.5 million for his signature, alongside teammates Juan Ojeda and Cristian Villagra.[1]

After a short spell, Manuel Pellegrini's Villarreal CF purchased Ruben for $7 million in January 2008, immediately loaning him to fellow La Liga side Recreativo de Huelva until 30 June.[2] He made his league debut in Spain on the 27th, appearing as a substitute and being booked in the 3–1 home loss against Getafe CF.[3]

The loan was renewed for the 2008–09 season,[4] but Ruben scored just three times as the Andalusians were relegated.[5] After returning to Villarreal, he spent the vast majority of the year with the reserves, which were having their first experience in the Segunda División.[6]

In mid-January 2010, Villarreal agreed to sell Ruben to Wigan Athletic of the Premier League after the player had helped the reserves to the fourth place with nine league goals, good enough for joint-third.[7] Although the player agreed personal terms with Wigan, the clubs could not reach an agreement and the deal fell through.[8]

Ruben played his first league game with Villarreal's main squad on 7 February 2010, more than two years after his purchase, appearing six minutes at RCD Mallorca (1–0 loss).[9][10] On 9 January of the following year, while starting in the place of injured Nilmar, he scored against Real Madrid to make it 2–1 for the Valencians (his first goal for the first team), who were eventually defeated at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (4–2).[11]

On 13 July 2012, Ruben signed a five-year contract with Ukrainian club FC Dynamo Kyiv for a €14 million fee.[12][13] He scored his first goal for his new team on 3 November, netting the first in a 2–0 home win over SC Tavriya Simferopol.

After a spell in the French Ligue 1 with Thonon Évian F.C.[14] where he failed to meet expectations as that particular type of football did not suit his style,[15] Ruben joined Liga MX side Tigres UANL on 18 June 2014 on a one-year loan from Dynamo.[16] He made his competitive debut on 9 July, playing the whole of a 4–1 defeat to Monarcas Morelia in the Supercopa MX.[17]

Ruben returned to Rosario Central on 24 December 2014, initially on a temporary deal.[18] He scored a career-best 21 goals in his first year (24 in all competitions) and was named team captain.[19]

On 11 January 2019, Ruben joined Brazil's Club Athletico Paranaense on a year-long loan.[20] He retired on 7 May 2022 at the age of 35 after scoring for Rosario in the 3–1 win over Estudiantes de La Plata at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, as the club's third all-time scorer with 105 goals.[21][22]

Ruben came out of retirement in November 2023, moving to Deportivo Maldonado of the Uruguayan Primera División.[23] The following 26 May, he again returned to Rosario Central.[24]

International career

Ruben made his debut for Argentina in an unofficial pre-Olympic preparation match against Guatemala in February 2008, scoring once in a 5–0 win.[25] His only official appearance took place on 5 June 2011 in a friendly with Poland, and he netted the 1–1 equaliser in an eventual 2–1 loss.[26][27]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[28]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rosario Central 2005–06 Argentine Primera División 29 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 11
2006–07 Argentine Primera División 16 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 7
Total 45 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 45 18
River Plate 2006–07 Argentine Primera División 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3
2007–08 Argentine Primera División 20 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 4
Total 28 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 7
Villarreal 2007–08 La Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09 La Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009–10 La Liga 4 0 0 0 1[a] 1 0 0 5 1
2010–11 La Liga 30 5 4 2 13[a] 4 0 0 47 11
2011–12 La Liga 31 9 1 0 5[b] 0 0 0 37 9
Total 65 14 5 2 19 5 0 0 89 21
Recreativo (loan) 2007–08 La Liga 14 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 4
2008–09 La Liga 29 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 3
Total 43 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 7
Villarreal B 2009–10 Segunda División 31 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 18
Dynamo Kyiv 2012–13 Ukrainian Premier League 11 1 0 0 4[c] 0 0 0 15 1
2013–14 Ukrainian Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 15 1
Évian (loan) 2013–14 Ligue 1 25 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 29 1
Tigres (loan) 2014–15 Liga MX 10 0 2 1 0 0 2[d] 0 14 1
Rosario Central (loan) 2015 Argentine Primera División 30 21 5 3 0 0 0 0 35 24
2016 Argentine Primera División 11 7 5 4 8[e] 8 0 0 24 19
Total 41 28 10 7 8 8 0 0 59 43
Rosario Central 2016–17 Argentine Primera División 21 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 6
2017–18 Argentine Primera División 17 3 4 0 2[f] 0 0 0 23 3
2018–19 Argentine Primera División 9 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 13 1
2019–20 Argentine Primera División 7 4 0 0 0 0 1[g] 1 8 5
2021 Argentine Primera División 19 15 0 0 8[f] 2 11[h] 3 38 20
2022 Argentine Primera División 0 0 0 0 0 0 11[h] 4 11 4
Total 73 28 8 1 10 2 23 8 114 39
Athletico Paranaense (loan) 2019 Série A 23 4 8 2 8[e] 6 3[i] 1 42 13
Career total 395 126 37 13 49 21 28 9 509 169
  1. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in Supercopa MX
  5. ^ a b Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  6. ^ a b Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  7. ^ Appearance in Copa de la Superliga
  8. ^ a b Appearances in Copa de la Liga Profesional
  9. ^ Two appearances and one goal in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[29]
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2011 1 1
Total 1 1
Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ruben goal.
List of international goals scored by Marco Ruben
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 June 2011 Polish Army Stadium, Warsaw, Poland  Poland 1–1 1–2 Friendly[29][27]

Honours

Rosario Central

Athletico Paranaense

References

  1. ^ "River cerró los pases de Marco Ruben, Villagra y Ojeda" [River closed deals for Marco Ruben, Villagra and Ojeda]. Clarín (in Spanish). 27 December 2006. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  2. ^ "Ruben moves to Villarreal". Sky Sports. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Recreativo Huelva 1–3 Getafe". ESPN Soccernet. 27 January 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Fútbol.– Marco Ruben vuelve al 'Recre' dispuesto a cubrir el hueco de Sinama: "Tengo mis armas para jugar arriba"" [Football.– Marco Ruben returns to 'Recre' willing to cover for Sinama: "I have my strengths to play up front"] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  5. ^ "El Recreativo consumó el descenso" [Recreativo confirmed relegation]. ABC (in Spanish). 23 May 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Marco Ruben rescata un punto para el Villarreal B" [Marco Ruben rescues point for Villarreal B]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 September 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Wigan to buy Argentine Marco Ruben from Villarreal". BBC Sport. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  8. ^ "El Villarreal paraliza el traspaso de Marco Ruben al Wigan" [Villarreal freeze Marco Ruben's transfer to Wigan]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 January 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  9. ^ Menéndez, Manu (8 February 2010). "El Mallorca suma diez de diez en casa" [Mallorca go ten for ten at home]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Ruben: "Ojalá pueda seguir jugando en el primer equipo"" [Ruben: "Hopefully I'll continue to play in the first team"]. El Periódico Mediterráneo (in Spanish). 8 February 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Ronaldo treble revives Real". ESPN Soccernet. 9 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Marco Ruben ficha por el Dínamo" [Marco Ruben signs for Dynamo] (in Spanish). UEFA. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  13. ^ ""Cachavacha", sin récord en Villarreal" ["Cachavacha", no record at Villarreal] (in Spanish). Ovación. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  14. ^ "ETG: L'Argentin Marco Ruben prêté à Evian" [ETG: Argentine Marco Ruben loaned to Evian] (in French). Eurosport. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  15. ^ Poupat, Bastien (14 February 2016). "Marco Ruben: "Le football français ne correspondait pas à mes caractéristiques"" [Marco Ruben: "French football did not suit my style"] (in French). Lucarne Opposée. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Se define el futuro de Ruben: hoy se sabrá si Tigres prescinde del delantero" [Ruben's future in the making: today Tigres will announce if they release the forward]. La Capital (in Spanish). 23 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  17. ^ Tijerina, José Isaac (9 July 2014). "Resultado SuperCopa MX 2014: Morelia – Tigres (4–1)" [2014 MX SuperCup score: Morelia – Tigres (4–1)] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Regalo de cumpleaños" [Birthday present]. Olé (in Spanish). 24 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  19. ^ León, Daniel (16 February 2016). "Marco Ruben, de Villarreal a capitán de Rosario" [Marco Ruben, from Villarreal to Rosario captain]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Argentino Marco Ruben é o novo atacante do Furacão" [Argentine Marco Ruben is the Hurricane's new striker] (in Portuguese). Athletico Paranaense. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Marco Ruben y el adiós al fútbol: "No me entra en el cuerpo tanto cariño, me dieron la despedida soñada"" [Marco Ruben and goodbye to football: "All this love is too much to bear, I was given a dream farewell"] (in Spanish). Channel 3. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Rosario Central fue una fiesta en la despedida de Marco Ruben" [Rosario Central was a party in Marco Ruben's farewell] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  23. ^ "Marco Ruben saldrá de su retiro y jugará en Deportivo Maldonado en 2024" [Marco Ruben will come out of retirement and will play at Deportivo Maldonado in 2024]. La Capital (in Spanish). 20 November 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Vuelve un ídolo: Marco Ruben regresa a Rosario Central" [Return of an idol: Marco Ruben returns to Rosario Central]. Olé (in Spanish). 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  25. ^ "La Argentina "olímpica" se lució ante Guatemala" ["Olympic" Argentina had a ball against Guatemala]. La Nación (in Spanish). 7 February 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  26. ^ "Musacchio y Ruben, convocados a la selección argentina" [Musacchio y Ruben, called to Argentine national team] (in Spanish). River Plate. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Second-string Argentina humbled again". ESPN Soccernet. 5 June 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  28. ^ a b c d Marco Ruben at Soccerway
  29. ^ a b "Argentina vuelve a perder un amistoso" [Argentina lose another friendly]. La Nación (in Spanish). 6 June 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
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