View source for Víctor Ruiz (footballer, born 1989)

{{short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{family name hatnote|Ruiz|Torre|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Víctor Ruiz
| image = VictorRuiz.jpg
| caption = Ruiz being presented by [[SSC Napoli|Napoli]] in 2011
| image_size =
| full_name = Víctor Ruiz Torre<ref name=Bio>{{cite news|url=https://resultados.as.com/resultados/ficha/deportista/victor_ruiz/18637/|title=Víctor Ruiz|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|language=es|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|1|25|df=y}}<ref name=Bio/>
| birth_place = [[Esplugues de Llobregat]], Spain
| height = 1.84 m<ref name=Bio/>
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1998–2002 | youthclubs1 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| youthyears2 = 2002–2006 | youthclubs2 = [[UE Cornellà|Cornellà]]
| youthyears3 = 2006–2008 | youthclubs3 = [[RCD Espanyol Cantera|Espanyol]]
| years1 = 2008–2010 | clubs1 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Espanyol B]] | caps1 = 44 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2009–2011 | clubs2 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] | caps2 = 37 | goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2011 | clubs3 = [[SSC Napoli|Napoli]] | caps3 = 6 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2011–2015 | clubs4 = [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] | caps4 = 59 | goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2014–2015 | clubs5 = → [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] (loan) | caps5 = 25 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2015–2019 | clubs6 = [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] | caps6 = 112 | goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2019–2020 | clubs7 = [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]] | caps7 = 23 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2020–2023 | clubs8 = [[Real Betis|Betis]] | caps8 = 55 | goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2023–2024 | clubs9 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] | caps9 = 15 | goals9 = 0
| totalcaps = | totalgoals =
| nationalyears1 = 2006 | nationalteam1 = [[Spain national under-17 football team|Spain U17]] | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2007–2008 | nationalteam2 = [[Spain national under-19 football team|Spain U19]] | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2011 | nationalteam3 = [[Spain national under-21 football team|Spain U21]] | nationalcaps3 = 5 | nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2012 | nationalteam4 = [[Spain national under-23 football team|Spain U23]] | nationalcaps4 = 1 | nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2010 | nationalteam5 = [[Catalonia national football team|Catalonia]] | nationalcaps5 = 1 | nationalgoals5 = 0
| club-update = 6 June 2024
| nationalteam-update =
}}
'''Víctor Ruiz Torre''' ({{IPA|es|ˈbiɣtoɾ ˈrwiθ ˈtore}}; born 25 January 1989) is a Spanish professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[centre-back]].
==Club career==
===Espanyol===
Born in [[Esplugues de Llobregat]], [[Province of Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Catalonia]], Ruiz arrived in [[RCD Espanyol]]'s youth system in 2006 at the age of 17, from neighbouring [[UE Cornellà]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/deportes/20100825/victor-ruiz-confirma-queda-espanyol-450168|title=Víctor Ruiz confirma que se queda en el Espanyol|trans-title=Víctor Ruiz confirms he is staying at Espanyol|newspaper=[[El Periódico de Catalunya]]|first=Juan|last=Terrats|language=es|date=25 August 2010|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref> In the [[2008–09 Tercera División|2008–09 season]] he made his senior debut, helping the [[RCD Espanyol B|reserve side]] to win their [[Tercera División]] group and subsequently promote in the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/futbol-catalan/espanyol-b-campeon-tercera-717362|title=El Espanyol B ya es campeón de Tercera|trans-title=Espanyol B are already ''Tercera'' champions|newspaper=[[Sport (Spanish newspaper)|Sport]]|language=es|date=4 May 2009|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/2009/05/31/futbol/mas_futbol/1243781562.html|title=Gimnástica y Espanyol B son ya equipos de Segunda B|trans-title=Gimnástica and Espanyol B are already ''Segunda B'' teams|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=31 May 2009|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>
Ruiz made his debut with the first team on 6 December 2009, starting and being [[Penalty card#Yellow card|booked]] in a 4–0 home loss against [[Racing de Santander]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2009/12/06/actualidad/1260087730_850215.html|title=El Espanyol es un juguete roto|trans-title=Espanyol are a broken toy|newspaper=[[El País]]|first=Jordi|last=Quixano|language=es|date=6 December 2009|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> Coach [[Mauricio Pochettino]] fielded him in a further 21 [[La Liga]] games [[2009–10 La Liga|that campaign]], with the team finally finishing 11th; he added two goals, against [[Málaga CF]] (2–1 away defeat)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275878?cc=5739|title=Espanyol continue away day blues|publisher=[[ESPN FC|ESPN Soccernet]]|date=21 February 2010|access-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024215924/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275878?cc=5739|archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> and [[Atlético Madrid]] (3–0, home).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275698?cc=5739|title=Espanyol boost survival hopes|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=11 April 2010|access-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024215941/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275698?cc=5739|archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>
===Napoli and Valencia===
In [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], Ruiz played all the minutes for Espanyol in the first 15 rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/detalle/588902/mercado-invierno-el-sevilla-se-refuerza-espanyol-se-debilita/|title=Mercado de invierno: El Sevilla se refuerza y el Espanyol se debilita|trans-title=Winter market: Sevilla strengthen and Espanyol weaken|publisher=[[EITB]]|first=Andoni|last=Beldarrain|language=es|date=28 January 2011|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref> On 31 January 2011, he was sold to [[SSC Napoli]] for [[Euro|€]]6 million cash in a four-and-a-half-year contract, with the Italians also ceding the sporting rights to [[Jesús Dátolo]] who was playing with the Spaniards on loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1590036.html|title=Napoli sign Ruiz from Espanyol|publisher=UEFA|date=31 January 2011|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref><ref>SSC Napoli SpA ''bilancio'' (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2011, [http://www.registroimprese.it PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA] (in Italian)</ref>
Ruiz returned to his country on 30 August 2011, after signing a five-year deal with [[Valencia CF]] for €8 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/950956/valencia-complete-deal-for-defender-victor-ruiz?cc=5739|title=Valencia complete deal for Ruiz|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=30 August 2011|access-date=30 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102061744/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/950956/valencia-complete-deal-for-defender-victor-ruiz?cc=5739|archive-date=2 November 2012}}</ref><ref>SSC Napoli SpA ''bilancio'' (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2012, [http://www.registroimprese.it PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA] (in Italian)</ref> He made his official debut on 10 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home victory over Atlético Madrid.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2011_12/primera/jornada_3/val_atm/|title=Soldado arma al Valencia|trans-title=Soldier ("Soldado" in English) arms Valencia|newspaper=Marca|first=Pablo|last=Egea|language=es|date=11 September 2011|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref>
On 12 December 2013, Ruiz was [[Ejection (sports)|sent off]] in a 1–1 home draw against [[FC Kuban Krasnodar]] in [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League|the group stage]] of the [[UEFA Europa League]], for a [[professional foul]] on [[Djibril Cissé]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/valencia-vs-kuban/301058|title=Europa League: Kuban Krasnodar crash out despite 1–1 draw at Valencia|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=12 December 2013|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
===Villarreal===
On 1 July 2015, following a one-year loan there, Ruiz transferred to [[Villarreal CF]] also in the [[Valencian Community]] for an initial €2.7 million, potentially rising to €3 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/158418/villarreal-finalise-transfer-for-victor-ruiz/|title=Villarreal finalise transfer for Victor Ruiz|publisher=Inside Spanish Football|first=Tom|last=Conn|date=1 July 2015|access-date=10 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507225445/http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/158418/villarreal-finalise-transfer-for-victor-ruiz/|archive-date=7 May 2016}}</ref> He played his first competitive match for them in his second spell on 23 August, when he started and finished the 1–1 draw at [[Real Betis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2015_16/la-liga/jornada_1/bet_vil/|title=Rubén Castro llega justo a tiempo|trans-title=Rubén Castro arrives just in time|newspaper=Marca|first=Delfín|last=Melero|language=es|date=24 August 2015|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref>
Ruiz scored his first league goal for Villarreal on 7 April 2017, in a 3–1 home defeat of [[Athletic Bilbao]] where he also received his marching orders after a straight red card with 15 minutes left.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deia.eus/athletic/2017/04/07/villarreal-frena-aspiraciones-athletic-4962876.html|title=El Villarreal frena las aspiraciones del Athletic|trans-title=Villarreal halt Athletic's aspirations|newspaper=[[Deia (newspaper)|Deia]]|language=es|date=7 April 2017|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref>
===Beşiktaş and Betis===
On 7 August 2019, Ruiz joined [[Beşiktaş J.K.]] on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20190807/463933036305/el-villarreal-traspasa-a-victor-ruiz-al-besiktas-turco.html|title=El Villarreal traspasa a Víctor Ruiz al Besiktas|trans-title=Villarreal transfer Víctor Ruiz to Besiktas|newspaper=[[Mundo Deportivo]]|language=es|date=7 August 2019|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> He returned to the [[Spanish football league system|Spanish top flight]] one year later, however, with the [[free agent]] signing a one-year deal with Betis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realbetisbalompie.es/noticias/primer-equipo/victor-ruiz-nuevo-jugador-del-real-betis-24568|title=Víctor Ruiz, nuevo jugador del Real Betis|trans-title=Víctor Ruiz, new player of Real Betis|publisher=Real Betis|language=es|date=31 August 2020|access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref>
Ruiz agreed to an extension until 2023 at the [[Estadio Benito Villamarín]] on 4 June 2021;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.realbetisbalompie.es/news/latest_news/victor-ruiz-extends-his-contract-with-real-betis-25946|title=Víctor Ruiz extends his contract with Real Betis|publisher=Real Betis|date=4 June 2021|access-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> at its conclusion, he left.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.realbetisbalompie.es/news/latest_news/victor-ruiz-leaves-real-betis-29098|title=Víctor Ruiz leaves Real Betis|publisher=Real Betis|date=5 June 2023|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref> In between, he won the [[2021–22 Copa del Rey|2021–22 edition]] of the [[Copa del Rey]] for his first major honour,<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61202911|title=Real Betis 1–1 Valencia (5–4 on pens): Real Betis win Copa del Rey final on penalties|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=23 April 2022|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref> but contributed only three matches to this feat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manquepierda.com/historiarealbetis/los-jugadores-de-la-2021-22-en-la-clasificacion-historica/|title=Los jugadores de la 2021–22 en la clasificación histórica.|trans-title=The 2021–22 players in the historical ranking.|publisher=Manquepierda|first=Alfonso|last=Del Castillo|language=es|date=9 August 2022|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>
===Return to Espanyol===
On 20 September 2023, Ruiz returned to his first professional club Espanyol on a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/new/victor-ruiz-rejoins-rcd-espanyol/16054|title=Víctor Ruiz rejoins RCD Espanyol|publisher=RCD Espanyol|date=20 September 2023|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>
==International career==
Shortly after making his debut with Espanyol, Ruiz was called to the [[Spain national under-21 football team|Spain under-21 team]] by manager [[Luis Milla (footballer, born 1966)|Luis Milla]]. On 8 February 2011, in the last minutes of a 2–1 [[Exhibition game|friendly]] win over [[Denmark national under-21 football team|Denmark]], he was sent off for punching [[Nicki Bille Nielsen|Nicki Bille]], who celebrated his goal in front of Ruiz's face.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/under21/news/newsid=1592409.html|title=Ten-man Spain defeat hosts Denmark|publisher=UEFA|date=8 February 2011|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/archive2010/u21international/u21int06.php|title=International Matches – Under 21|publisher=Soccer Spain|date=8 February 2011|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
{{updated|match played 20 May 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/victor-ruiz-torre/85169/|title=Víctor Ruiz|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{FBref}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
|[[2009–10 RCD Espanyol season|2009–10]]
|[[La Liga]]
|22||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||22||2
|-
|[[2010–11 RCD Espanyol season|2010–11]]
|La Liga
|15||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||18||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!37!!2!!3!!0!!0!!0!!40!!2
|-
|[[SSC Napoli|Napoli]]
|[[2010–11 SSC Napoli season|2010–11]]
|[[Serie A]]
|6||0||0||0||1{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]|name=UEL}}||0||7||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Valencia CF|Valencia]]
|[[2011–12 Valencia CF season|2011–12]]
|La Liga
|22||0||7||1||8{{efn|Six appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}}||1||37||2
|-
|[[2012–13 Valencia CF season|2012–13]]
|La Liga
|26||0||5||0||2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}}||0||33||0
|-
|[[2013–14 Valencia CF season|2013–14]]
|La Liga
|11||1||1||0||7{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||19||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!59!!1!!13!!1!!17!!1!!89!!3
|-
|[[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] (loan)
|[[2014–15 Villarreal CF season|2014–15]]
|La Liga
|25||0||3||0||8{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||36||0
|-
|rowspan="5"|Villarreal
|[[2015–16 Villarreal CF season|2015–16]]
|La Liga
|35||0||2||0||14{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||51||0
|-
|[[2016–17 Villarreal CF season|2016–17]]
|La Liga
|28||1||2||0||6{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||36||1
|-
|[[2017–18 Villarreal CF season|2017–18]]
|La Liga
|27||2||2||0||5{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||34||2
|-
|[[2018–19 Villarreal CF season|2018–19]]
|La Liga
|22||0||1||0||10{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||33||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!137!!3!!10!!0!!43!!0!!190!!3
|-
|[[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]]
|[[2019–20 Beşiktaş J.K. season|2019–20]]
|[[Süper Lig]]
|23||0||2||0||1{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||26||0
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Real Betis|Betis]]
|[[2020–21 Real Betis season|2020–21]]
|La Liga
|27||2||4||0||colspan="2"|—||31||2
|-
|[[2021–22 Real Betis season|2021–22]]
|La Liga
|18||0||3||0||2{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||23||0
|-
|[[2022–23 Real Betis season|2022–23]]
|La Liga
|10
|0
|1
|0
|3{{Efn|name=UEL}}
|0
|14
|0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!55!!2!!8!!0!!5!!0!!68!!2
|-
|Espanyol
|[[2023–24 RCD Espanyol season|2023–24]]
|[[Segunda División]]
|15||0||0||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[La Liga play-offs]]|name=pro}}||0||16||0
|-
! colspan="3" |Career total
!332!!8!!36!!1!!68!!1!!436!!10
|}
{{Notelist}}
==Honours==
'''Espanyol B'''
*[[Tercera División]]: [[2008–09 Tercera División|2008–09]]
'''Betis'''
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[2021–22 Copa del Rey|2021–22]]<ref name=BBC/>
'''Spain U21'''
*[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]]: [[2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|2011]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2011/06/26/deportes/1309039202_850215.html|title=España tiene futuro|trans-title=Spain have a future|newspaper=El País|first=Eduardo|last=Rodrigálvarez|language=es|date=26 June 2011|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref>
'''Individual'''
*[[UEFA]] La Liga Team of the Season: 2015–16<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2016/05/16/573a37ec468aeb19478b45ef.html|title=Atletico dominate UEFA's La Liga team of the season|newspaper=Marca|first=Rafa|last=Casal|date=16 May 2016|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{BDFutbol|12480}}
*[http://www.ciberche.net/histoche/jugador?player=981 CiberChe biography and stats] {{in lang|es}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruiz, Victor}}
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Esplugues de Llobregat]]
[[Category:Spanish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from the Province of Barcelona]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda División players]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:Tercera División players]]
[[Category:UE Cornellà players]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol B footballers]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol footballers]]
[[Category:Valencia CF players]]
[[Category:Villarreal CF players]]
[[Category:Real Betis players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:SSC Napoli players]]
[[Category:Süper Lig players]]
[[Category:Beşiktaş J.K. footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's under-23 international footballers]]
[[Category:Catalonia men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen]]