Álvaro Rubio Explained

Álvaro Rubio
Fullname:Álvaro Rubio Robles
Birth Date:18 April 1979
Birth Place:Logroño, Spain
Height:1.780NaN0
Position:Defensive midfielder
Currentclub:Valladolid B (manager)
Youthyears1:1994–1998
Youthclubs1:Zaragoza
Years1:1998–2001
Caps1:61
Goals1:2
Years2:1999–2000
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2000
Clubs3:Albacete (loan)
Caps3:15
Goals3:0
Years4:2000–2006
Caps4:163
Goals4:0
Years5:2006–2016
Caps5:294
Goals5:8
Years6:2016
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Totalcaps:533
Totalgoals:10
Nationalyears1:1999
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1999
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:1
Manageryears1:2023–
Managerclubs1:Valladolid B

Álvaro Rubio Robles (born 18 April 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, currently manager of Real Valladolid Promesas.

He spent most of his career with Valladolid, appearing in 310 games in all competitions.[1] In La Liga he also represented Albacete, for a total of 204 matches in that competition over eight seasons (four goals).

Club career

Early years

Born in Logroño, La Rioja, Rubio began his professional career with Real Zaragoza, but never made it past the reserves. In January 2000, he moved to Albacete Balompié – first on loan – where, after a slow start, he became a very important unit for the Castile-La Mancha side in the Segunda División.[2]

After 25 matches in the 2002–03 season, as Albacete returned to La Liga after a seven-year absence,[2] Rubio made his top-division debut on 26 October 2003 in a 3–2 away loss against Real Betis where he came on as a 27th-minute substitute.[3] He made a further 50 appearances until June 2005, when the team were relegated.[2]

Valladolid

For the 2006–07 campaign, Rubio signed with Real Valladolid, being promoted to the top flight in his first year[4] and rarely missing a game subsequently. Mainly a defensive-minded player, he scored his first goals as a professional in 2007–08, the first coming on 28 October 2007 in a 2–2 draw at CA Osasuna (three for the season).[5]

Rubio could only appear in 16 league games in 2009–10 due to injuries, and Valladolid dropped down to division two for the first time in three years. Although still afflicted by physical problems,[6] he helped to another promotion in 2012, contributing 20 starts to the feat and going on to be a regular in the following two top-tier campaigns; he continued to be heavily played as the club returned to the second division.[7]

Bengaluru

On 8 August 2016, the 37-year-old Rubio moved abroad for the first time in his career, signing for I-League champions Bengaluru FC on a four-month deal.[8] On 30 November, after five appearances in the AFC Cup to help his team reach the final, he left.[9]

International career

Rubio was part of the Spain under-20 squad at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship that also included the likes of Iker Casillas and Xavi. He featured in the 3–1 group stage win against Honduras, as the tournament in Nigeria ended in conquest.[10]

Rubio found the net in his only appearance for the under-21 team, a 2–1 home victory over Israel for the 2000 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.[11]

Honours

Valladolid

2006–07[4]

Bengaluru

Spain U20

1999[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Álvaro Rubio, historia del Real Valladolid. Álvaro Rubio, Real Valladolid history. Cadena SER. José Luis. Rojí. Spanish. 2 August 2016. 10 August 2016.
  2. News: El Valladolid llegará al Carlos Belmonte con dos viejos conocidos. Valladolid will arrive at Carlos Belmonte with two old acquaintances. La Tribuna de Albacete. José Luis. Royo. Spanish. 23 October 2014. 30 June 2022.
  3. News: Los destellos de Joaquín salvan al Betis ante el Albacete. Joaquín's flashes save Betis against Albacete. El País. Santiago. Fernández Fuertes. Spanish. 27 October 2003. 10 August 2016.
  4. News: Los héroes del ascenso esperan su oportunidad. Promotion heroes await their chance. El Norte de Castilla. Spanish. 26 April 2011. 28 April 2016.
  5. News: Angustioso empate en el Reyno. Anxious draw at the Reyno. Marca. David. Menayo. Spanish. 28 October 2007. 30 November 2017.
  6. News: El Real Valladolid se jugará el ascenso sin Álvaro Rubio. Real Valladolid will fight for promotion without Álvaro Rubio. El Norte de Castilla. Spanish. 22 May 2012. 10 August 2016.
  7. News: Álvaro Rubio mantiene el tipo. Álvaro Rubio holds his own. Marca. Héctor. Rodríguez. Spanish. 24 April 2015. 10 August 2016.
  8. Web site: Bengaluru FC add to armoury, sign Rubio, Gonzalez. Bengaluru FC. 8 August 2016. 8 August 2016.
  9. Web site: Midfielder Alvaro Rubio leaves Bengaluru FC. Sony ESPN. 30 November 2016. 22 December 2016.
  10. News: España bate a Honduras y se medirá a Estados unidos en octavos de final. Spain beat Honduras and will face the United States in last-16. El Mundo. Spanish. 12 April 1999. 10 August 2016.
  11. Web site: España 2–1 Israel. Spain 2–1 Israel. UEFA. Spanish. 9 October 1999. 10 August 2016.
  12. Web site: AFC Cup: Bengaluru FC win AFC's Fairplay award. Goal. 6 November 2016. 25 July 2023. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914213255/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/3629/afc-cup/2016/11/06/29220982/afc-cup-bengaluru-fc-win-afcs-fairplay-award. 14 September 2020.
  13. News: Qué fue de los campeones del mundo sub20. What happened to the under-20 world champions. Marca. Miguel Ángel. García. Spanish. 17 April 2009. 3 May 2017.