Marco Rubén
Encyclopedia
Marco Gastón Ruben Rodríguez (born 26 October 1986 in Capitán Bermúdez
, Santa Fe
) is an Argentine
footballer who plays for Villarreal CF
in Spain
, as a striker.
in 2004. In the Apertura 2006 tournament, he scored seven goals in 17 games, making him the club's top scorer. This brought him to the attention of several major clubs in Argentina and Europe
, with Club Atlético River Plate
eventually winning the battle, paying $
7.5 million for his signature, alongside teammates Cristian Villagra
and Juan Ojeda
.
After a short spell, Manuel Pellegrini
's Villarreal CF
purchased him for $7 million in January 2008, immediately loaning him to fellow La Liga
outfit Recreativo de Huelva
, until June 30. On the 27th, he made his league debut in Spain
, appearing as a substitute and being booked in the 1–3 home loss against Getafe CF
.
For 2008–09, Ruben continued in Huelva
, in the same predicament, scoring three times in a full season as the Andalusia
ns were relegated. The following season
, he returned to Villarreal, but spent the vast majority of the year with the reserves
, which were having their first Segunda División
experience.
In mid-January 2010, Villarreal agreed to sell Ruben to Wigan Athletic
in the Premier League, after the player had helped the reserves to the fourth place, with nine league goals, good enough for joint-third. Although agreement between the English
club and the player had been initially reached, on the 30th, both teams were unable to agree terms and the deal fell through.
On 7 February 2010, more than two years after his purchase, Ruben played his first league game with Villarreal's main squad, appearing six minutes at RCD Mallorca
(0–1 loss); on 9 January of the following year, while starting in the place of injured Brazil
ian Nilmar, he scored against Real Madrid
to make it 2–1 for the Valencian
(his first goal for Villarreal's first team), who were eventually defeated at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
(2–4).
in an unofficial pre-Olympic
preparation match against Guatemala
in 2008, scoring once in a 5–0 victory. His first official appearance took place on 5 June 2011, in a friendly
with Poland
, and he netted the 1–1 equalizer in an eventual 1–2 loss.
Capitán Bermúdez
Capitán Bermúdez is a city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, located within the metropolitan area of Greater Rosario, , on the western shore of the Paraná River. It has a population of about 27,000 inhabitants per the .The town was founded in 1889, and officially became a city in 1970...
, Santa Fe
Santa Fe Province
The Invincible Province of Santa Fe, in Spanish Provincia Invencible de Santa Fe , is a province of Argentina, located in the center-east of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Chaco , Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Santiago del Estero...
) is an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
footballer who plays for Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, as a striker.
Club career
Ruben started his career with Rosario CentralRosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
in 2004. In the Apertura 2006 tournament, he scored seven goals in 17 games, making him the club's top scorer. This brought him to the attention of several major clubs in Argentina and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, with Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
eventually winning the battle, paying $
Dollar sign
The dollar or peso sign is a symbol primarily used to indicate the various peso and dollar units of currency around the world.- Origin :...
7.5 million for his signature, alongside teammates Cristian Villagra
Cristian Villagra
Cristian Villagra is an Argentine football left back who plays for FC Metalist Kharkiv.Villagra began his career with Rosario Central in 2005, his form bringing him to the attention of River Plate...
and Juan Ojeda
Juan Ojeda
Juan Marcelo Ojeda is an Argentine football goalkeeper.-Career:Ojeda made his debut for Rosario Central on May 28, 2004 in a 1-0 defeat against Colón de Santa Fe, he continued to play regularly for Central until his transfer to River during the January 2007 transfer window.He was the first choice...
.
After a short spell, Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Luis Pellegrini Ripamonti is a Chilean manager and former footballer. His current club is La Liga side Málaga CF.-Club career:...
's Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
purchased him for $7 million in January 2008, immediately loaning him to fellow La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
outfit Recreativo de Huelva
Recreativo de Huelva
Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 23 December 1889, it is the oldest football team in Spain, and currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estadio Nuevo Colombino, which has a...
, until June 30. On the 27th, he made his league debut in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, appearing as a substitute and being booked in the 1–3 home loss against Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
.
For 2008–09, Ruben continued in Huelva
Huelva
Huelva is a city in southwestern Spain, the capital of the province of Huelva in the autonomous region of Andalusia. It is located along the Gulf of Cadiz coast, at the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 149,410 inhabitants. The...
, in the same predicament, scoring three times in a full season as the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
ns were relegated. The following season
2009–10 Segunda División
The 2009–10 Segunda División was made up of the following teams:-League table:||rowspan=15 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-2009–10 Results:To read this table, the home team is listed in the left-hand column....
, he returned to Villarreal, but spent the vast majority of the year with the reserves
Villarreal CF B
Villarreal Club de Fútbol B is a Spanish football team based in Villarreal, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1999, it is the reserve team of Villarreal CF, and plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Ciudad Deportiva Villarreal CF, with a 5,000-seat capacity.Unlike in...
, which were having their first Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
experience.
In mid-January 2010, Villarreal agreed to sell Ruben to Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in the Premier League, after the player had helped the reserves to the fourth place, with nine league goals, good enough for joint-third. Although agreement between the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club and the player had been initially reached, on the 30th, both teams were unable to agree terms and the deal fell through.
On 7 February 2010, more than two years after his purchase, Ruben played his first league game with Villarreal's main squad, appearing six minutes at RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
(0–1 loss); on 9 January of the following year, while starting in the place of injured Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Nilmar, he scored against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
to make it 2–1 for the Valencian
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
(his first goal for Villarreal's first team), who were eventually defeated at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators....
(2–4).
International career
Ruben made his debut for ArgentinaArgentina Olympic football team
Argentina Olympic football team represents Argentina in international football competitions in Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players...
in an unofficial pre-Olympic
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
preparation match against Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
in 2008, scoring once in a 5–0 victory. His first official appearance took place on 5 June 2011, in a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
with Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, and he netted the 1–1 equalizer in an eventual 1–2 loss.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Final Score | Goal | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 June 2011 | Warsaw Warsaw Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most... , Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... |
2–1 | 1 | Loss | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |