Rafa Cruz

For other people named Rafael Cruz, see Rafael Cruz (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cruz and the second or maternal family name is Suárez.

Rafa Cruz
Personal information
Full name Rafael Cruz Suárez
Date of birth (2009-10-24) 24 October 2009 (age 16)
Place of birth Las Palmas, Spain
Position Winger
Team information
Current team
 Las Palmas
Number 32
Youth career
2016–2018 Veteranos del Pilar
2018–2023 Las Palmas
2023–2025 Real Madrid
2025–2026 Las Palmas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2026– Las Palmas 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16 August 2026

Rafael "Rafa" Cruz Suárez (born 24 October 2009) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a right winger for UD Las Palmas.

Career

Born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Cruz began his career with Veteranos del Pilar CF before joining UD Las Palmas' youth categories in 2018. In June 2023, he moved to Real Madrid's La Fábrica,[1] but left the club 18 months later to return to the Amarillos.[2]

In April 2026, Cruz began training with the first team after impressing manager Luis García.[3] In June, he was included in the pre-season of the main squad,[4] and made his professional debut on 16 August, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jesé in a 2–1 Segunda División home win over Albacete Balompié;[5] aged 16 years, nine months and 23 days, he became the third-youngest to debut for the club, behind Omar Fleitas and Pedri.[6]

Personal life

Cruz's twin brother Jorge is also a footballer and a winger. Both played together in the youth sides of Las Palmas.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Real Madrid ficha a dos promesas de la UD Las Palmas para su cantera" [Real Madrid sign two UD Las Palmas prospects for their youth setup] (in Spanish). Defensa Central. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Rafa Cruz, la avanzadilla de la generación de 2009" [Rafa Cruz, the vanguard of the class of 2009] (in Spanish). Tinta Amarilla. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  3. ^ "Rafa Cruz ya es uno más de la primera plantilla de Las Palmas" [Rafa Cruz is already one more in Las Palmas' first team squad] (in Spanish). Marca. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  4. ^ "La Cantera vuelve a llamar a la puerta del Primer Equipo" [The youth setup knock on the first team doors again] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 22 June 2026. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  5. ^ "La UD rompe su maleficio de los inicios ligueros tras un final de locura" [The UD end their curse of league debuts after a heart-stopping ending] (in Spanish). Marca. 16 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  6. ^ "Rafa Cruz debuta con 16 años en la UD Las Palmas: el genio adolescente que voló del Real Madrid" [Rafa Cruz debuts at the age of 16 with UD Las palmas: the teenage genius who flew away from Real Madrid] (in Spanish). Marca. 17 August 2026. Retrieved 17 August 2026.

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