Iván Ruiz (footballer) explained

Iván Ruiz Pecino (born 16 September 1990) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder.

Early life

Ruiz was born in Los Barrios in the Province of Cádiz, close to Algeciras.^[1]

Club career

Early career and Football Cracks

Ruiz began his career in Spain with a number of sides, including spending time in the academy of Cádiz, and training with their first team.^{[2] [3]} He most notably played for Los Barrios in his early career, making his senior debut in February 2010. Later in the same year, he competed in the 2010 edition of , a Spanish reality TV show dedicated to finding young footballing talent from around the world, sponsored by both Zinedine Zidane and Enzo Francescoli, and hosted by Nico Abad. He won the competition, with the prize being a trial with professional side Atlético Madrid, lasting the entirety of their 2010–11 pre-season preparation.^{[2] [4]}

He left Los Barrios in June 2010, signing autographs for fans upon his departure, and on his arrival at Atlético Madrid he stated that he wished to be the footballing equivalent of David Bisbal, a singer who had won Operación Triunfo, another reality TV show.^{[5] [6]} Atlético Madrid were initially set to go on a tour of Asia, but this was cancelled by the club due to their participation in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. Due to this, Ruiz was instead offered a chance to train with Atlético Madrid B, which he initially declined, as it was not part of the agreement with Football Cracks, and he was not guaranteed a place in their squad.^[7] Ruiz was instead offered a chance to rejoin Los Barrios in the Tercera División, with Getafe and Italian side Palermo reportedly showing interest in him.^[8] His father, Roberto, stated that despite the approach from Getafe, Atlético Madrid asked him not to take it up, as he had a commitment to them.^[9]

In August 2010, he did eventually take up the club's offer to train with their B Team, on a two-week trial basis, stating that he "felt comfortable on [his] first day at Atlético".^[10] Ruiz left the club at the end of his two-week trial, with his father openly expressing their disappointment with the club, stating that the club had not fulfilled the obligations they agreed on Football Cracks, and after training with the subsidiary team, Ruiz was not called up to represent them in any friendly games.^[11]

Later career

In September and October 2010, he trialled with Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia and Italian side Palermo, respectively.^{[12] [13]} The following year he returned to Spain, spending half a season with UD Castellar and trialling unsuccessfully with San Roque, before going on trial with Real Ávila, signing in August 2021.^{[14] [15]} In January 2012, he left the club to sign for Dénia, before a return to Los Barrios; initially training with the side in January 2013, he joined permanently in July of the same year.^{[16] [17] [18]}

Following the expiration of his contract with Los Barrios, he left in September 2014, before moving to Gibraltar and signing with Gibraltar Phoenix.^{[19] [20]} He also played for Manchester 62 before a return to Spain, going on trial with San Roque in August 2016.^[21] He eventually joined permanently, before another spell with Los Barrios.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Los Barrios	2009–10	Tercera División	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	2013–14	Primera Andaluza	12	1	0	0	0	0	12	1
	Total		15	1	0	0	0	0	15	1
Manchester 62	2015–16	Gibraltar Premier Division	3	1	0	0	0	0	3	1
San Roque	2016–17	Tercera División	12	1	0	0	0	0	12	1
Los Barrios			7	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Gibraltar Phoenix	2017–18	Gibraltar Premier Division	9	1	0	0	0	0	9	1
Glacis United			14	2	1	0	0	0	15	2
	2018–19		12	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
	Total		26	2	1	0	0	0	27	2
San Roque	2018–19	División de Honor Andalusia	12	1	0	0	0	0	12	1
Lions Gibraltar	2019–20	Gibraltar National League	16	2	1	0	0	0	17	2
	2020–21		17	1	0	0	0	0	17	1
	2021–22		6	1	0	0	0	0	6	1
	Total		39	4	1	0	0	0	40	4
St Joseph's	2021–22	Gibraltar National League	8	1	1	1	0	0	9	2
Glacis United	2022–23	Gibraltar Football League	12	2	0	0	0	0	12	2
Career total			47	3	2	0	2	1	51	4

Notes

Notes and References

1. Web site: Un Salitos con sabor Fútbolero. Salitos with a football flavor. 20 September 2020. 15 August 2023. polialmeria.es. es.
2. Web site: El gaditano Iván Ruiz, vencedor del 'reality' de Cuatro. Iván Ruiz from Cádiz, winner of the 'reality' of four. 9 June 2010. 15 August 2023. diariodecadiz.es. es.
3. Web site: Iván Ruiz: "Me gustaría ser como Bisbal pero en el fútbol". Iván Ruiz: "I would like to be like Bisbal but in football". Walter. Zimmermann. 24 July 2010. 15 August 2023. mundodeportivo.com. es.
4. Web site: Iván Ruiz, ganador de Cracks. Iván Ruiz, Cracks winner. 6 June 2010. 15 August 2023. cuatro.com. es.
5. Web site: Los Barrios agasaja a su crack, Iván Ruiz. Los Barrios entertains his star, Iván Ruiz. Alessio. González. 10 June 2010. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
6. Web site: Iván Ruiz se despide de la afición como un héroe. Iván Ruiz says goodbye to the fans like a hero. 9 July 2010. 15 August 2023. vivagranada.es. es.
7. Web site: Iván Ruiz, ganador del reality 'Cracks' de Cuatro, se queda sin su premio. Iván Ruiz, winner of the reality show 'Cracks' on Cuatro, is left without his prize. 28 July 2010. 15 August 2023. formulatv.com. es.
8. Web site: Ganador de Football Cracks sin premio. Football Cracks winner without prize. 26 July 2010. 15 August 2023. montevideo.com.uy. es.
9. Web site: El padre de Iván Ruiz dice que denunciará a Football Cracks. Iván Ruiz's father says he will denounce Football Cracks. Quino. López. 2 September 2010. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
10. Web site: Iván Ruiz, ganador de ‘Fútbol Cracks’, se entrenó con el Atlético B. Iván Ruiz, winner of 'Fútbol Cracks', trained with Atlético B. 2 August 2010. 15 August 2023. atleticodemadrid.com. es.
11. Web site: Iván Ruiz abandona el Atlético de Madrid. Iván Ruiz leaves Atlético de Madrid. M.. Gil. 14 August 2010. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
12. Web site: Iván Ruiz probará suerte en el fútbol italiano. Iván Ruiz will try his luck in Italian football. 18 September 2010. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
13. Web site: Iván Ruiz prueba suerte ahora en Bulgaria. Iván Ruiz tries his luck now in Bulgaria. 6 October 2010. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
14. Web site: El ‘crack’ barreño Iván Ruiz encuentra equipo en Ávila. The 'crack' from Barreño Iván Ruiz finds a team in Ávila. 18 August 2011. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
15. Web site: Iván Ruiz pasa la prueba y es nuevo jugador del Real Ávila. Iván Ruiz passes the test and is a new Real Ávila player. 24 August 2011. 15 August 2023. deportesavila.es. es.
16. Web site: El exgualdiverde Iván Ruiz deja el Real Ávila para fichar por el Denia. The former Gualdiverde Iván Ruiz leaves Real Ávila to sign for Denia. F.. Mena. 27 January 2012. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
17. Web site: Iván Ruiz busca un renacer en la Unión. Iván Ruiz seeks a rebirth in the Union. Alessio. González. 3 January 2013. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
18. Web site: El barreño Iván Ruiz, otro que se incorpora a la Unión. Barreño Iván Ruiz, another who joins the Union. 9 July 2013. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
19. Web site: La Unión, pendiente de Iván Ruiz, Andrés Toledo y Rubén. La Unión, waiting for Iván Ruiz, Andrés Toledo and Rubén. J.. Sanz. 5 August 2014. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.
20. Web site: Iván Ruiz pone el punto y final en la Unión Deportiva. Iván Ruiz puts the end point in the Sports Union. 24 September 2014. 15 August 2023. noticiasdelavilla.net. es.
21. Web site: El San Roque 'rescata' a Iván Ruiz. San Roque 'rescues' Iván Ruiz. Alessio. González. 1 August 2016. 15 August 2023. europasur.es. es.