Abel Ruiz

{{Short description|Spanish footballer (born 2000)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}

{{family name hatnote|Ruiz|Ortega|lang=Spanish}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Abel Ruiz

| image = Abel Ruiz 2019 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Ruiz with Spain U19 in 2019

| fullname = Abel Ruiz Ortega{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=57225 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 12 de mayo de 2019, en Barcelona |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 12 May 2019, in Barcelona |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |access-date=13 June 2019 |language=es |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111220547/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=57225 |url-status=dead }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|1|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Almussafes, Spain

| height = 1.80 m{{cite web|url=https://scbraga.pt/atleta/abel-ruiz/|title=ABEL RUIZ|publisher=SC Braga|language=pt|access-date=28 July 2020}}

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Girona

| clubnumber = 9

| youthyears1 = 2008–2012

| youthclubs1 = Valencia

| youthyears2 = 2012–2017

| youthclubs2 = Barcelona

| years1 = 2017–2020

| clubs1 = Barcelona B

| caps1 = 68

| goals1 = 9

| years2 = 2019–2020

| clubs2 = Barcelona

| caps2 = 1

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2020–2024

| clubs3 = Braga

| caps3 = 123

| goals3 = 20

| years4 = 2024–

| clubs4 = Girona

| caps4 = 23

| goals4 = 4

| nationalyears1 = 2015–2017

| nationalteam1 = Spain U17

| nationalcaps1 = 38

| nationalgoals1 = 25

| nationalyears2 = 2017–2018

| nationalteam2 = Spain U18

| nationalcaps2 = 4

| nationalgoals2 = 7

| nationalyears3 = 2017–2019

| nationalteam3 = Spain U19

| nationalcaps3 = 18

| nationalgoals3 = 7

| nationalyears4 = 2019–2023

| nationalteam4 = Spain U21

| nationalcaps4 = 27

| nationalgoals4 = 13

| nationalyears5 = 2024

| nationalteam5 = Spain U23 (O.P.)

| nationalcaps5 = 5

| nationalgoals5 = 1

| nationalyears6 = 2021–

| nationalteam6 = Spain

| nationalcaps6 = 3

| nationalgoals6 = 0

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|ESP}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}

{{MedalGold|2024 Paris|Team}}

{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}}

{{Medal|RU|2023 Georgia–Romania| Team}}

{{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}}

{{Medal|W|2019 Armenia| Team}}

{{Medal|Comp|Mediterranean Games}}

{{Medal|W|2018 Spain|}}

{{Medal|Comp|FIFA U-17 World Cup}}

{{Medal|Runner-up |2017 India| Team}}

{{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-17 Championship}}

{{Medal|W|2017 Croatia| Team}}

{{Medal|Runner-up|2016 Azerbaijan| Team}}

| club-update = 27 May 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 9 August 2024

}}

Abel Ruiz Ortega ({{IPA|es|aˈβel ˈrwiθ}}; born 28 January 2000) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Girona and the Spain national team.

Formed at Barcelona, where he made one first-team appearance, he moved to Braga in January 2020, where he won the Taça de Portugal in 2021.

Ruiz set the record for caps and goals for Spain's under-17 team, winning the European Championship in 2017 and finishing runners-up in 2016 and at the 2017 World Cup. He made his senior international debut in 2021.

Club career

=Barcelona=

Born in Almussafes, Valencian Community, Ruiz joined Barcelona's youth setup in 2012, from Valencia.{{cite web|url=http://www.spherasports.com/abel-ruiz-el-futuro-nueve-de-espana-134426/|title=Abel Ruiz, el futuro nueve de España|trans-title=Abel Ruiz, the future nine of Spain|publisher=Sphera Sports|language=es|date=20 May 2017|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110083049/http://www.spherasports.com/abel-ruiz-el-futuro-nueve-de-espana-134426/|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=dead}} On 21 November 2016, he renewed his contract with the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/futbol-base/abel-ruiz-queda-barca-5203554|title=Abel Ruiz se queda en el Barça|trans-title=Abel Ruiz stays at Barça|publisher=Sport|language=es|date=21 November 2016|access-date=28 August 2017}}

On 9 April 2017, while still a junior, Ruiz made his senior debut with the reserves, coming on as a late substitute for Jesús Alfaro in a 2–0 Segunda División B away win against Badalona; he also became the first player born in the 2000s to make an appearance for the club's senior ranks.{{cite web|url=http://www.levante-emv.com/ribera/2017/04/15/almusafense-abel-ruiz-debuta-filial/1554671.html|title=El almusafense Abel Ruiz debuta con el filial del FC Barcelona en la Segunda B|trans-title=The almusafense Abel Ruiz debuts with the reserve team of FC Barcelona in Segunda B|publisher=Levante-EMV|language=es|date=9 April 2017|access-date=28 August 2017}}

After Barcelona B's promotion, Ruiz made his professional team debut on 28 August 2017, replacing David Concha in an 3–0 home loss against Tenerife in the Segunda División championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona-b/2017/08/28/59a481a2268e3e81668b4751.html|title=El Tenerife se pone líder en Barcelona|trans-title=Tenerife become leader in Barcelona|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=28 August 2017|access-date=28 August 2017}} Four days later he scored his first professional goal in a 2–2 draw against Granada.{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/segunda-division/2017/09/01/59a9c93eca4741702f8b45c8.html|title=Tercer empate de un Granada que no termina de arrancar|trans-title=Third draw of a Granada which cannot get going|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=1 September 2017|access-date=6 September 2017}}

Ruiz had his first-team debut in the Supercopa de Catalunya on 7 March 2018, scoring the winning penalty in a shootout against Espanyol.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/abel-ruiz-protagonista-tanda-penaltis-supercopa-catalunya-6675165|title=Abel Ruiz, protagonista en la tanda de penaltis|trans-title=Abel Ruiz had his debut by scoring on the penalty shoot-out|publisher=Sport|language=es|date=7 March 2018|access-date=7 March 2018}} His La Liga debut came on 12 May 2019 in a 2–0 win against Getafe, as a substitute for Philippe Coutinho for the final 21 minutes at the Camp Nou.{{cite news |title=Abel Ruiz makes first team debut |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1219226/abel-ruiz-makes-first-team-debut |access-date=21 February 2020 |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=12 May 2019}}

=Braga=

On 31 January 2020, Ruiz joined Portugal's Braga on loan for the rest of the season, with a mandatory purchase for €8 million and a buy-back clause.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1593352/abel-ruiz-leaves-for-sc-braga|title=Abel Ruiz leaves for SC Braga|publisher=FC Barcelona|date=31 January 2020}} He made his debut on 20 February in the round of 32 first leg of the UEFA Europa League away to Rangers, starting the game and scoring in a 3–2 loss.{{cite news |title=Rangers' Ianis Hagi completes thrilling Europa League comeback against Braga |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/20/ianis-hagi-completes-thrilling-rangers-comeback-against-braga |access-date=21 February 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=21 February 2020}} Totalling eight appearances over the season, he scored his first Primeira Liga goal on 4 July soon after entering in a 4–0 home win over Aves.{{cite news |title=Sporting blanks offer Braga hope in hunt for a top three finish |url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/1672-sporting-blanks-offer-braga-hope-in-hunt-for-a-top-three-finish |access-date=28 July 2020 |publisher=PortuGOAL |date=6 July 2020}}

Ruiz was the top scorer in the Taça de Portugal as Braga won it in 2020–21, contributing seven goals in as many games.{{cite news |last1=Tovar |first1=Rui Miguel |title=Braga levanta a Taça em ano de centenário|trans-title=Braga lift the Taça in centenary year|url=https://www.wort.lu/pt/desporto/braga-levanta-a-taca-em-ano-de-centen-rio-60ab5fcade135b9236eea748 |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=Wort |date=24 May 2021 |language=Portuguese}} This included two in a 3–2 win away to Porto in the semi-finals.{{cite news |last1=Kundert |first1=Tom |title=Braga knock Porto out of Portuguese Cup in a thriller at the Dragão |url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/1997-braga-knock-out-porto-in-portuguese-cup-thriller-at-the-dragao |access-date=1 June 2021 |publisher=PortuGOAL |date=4 March 2021}}

In 2021–22, Ruiz scored in each leg of a 3–1 aggregate win over Monaco in the Europa League last 16.{{cite news |last1=Mair |first1=Steven |title=Braga frontman reacts to Rangers draw as Monaco slayer Abel Ruiz insists he's out to 'make history' |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/braga-frontman-reacts-rangers-draw-26514114 |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=Daily Record |date=21 March 2022}} He netted the only goal of the game in the next fixture against Rangers, though the Scots won 3–2 over the two games after extra time.{{cite news |last1=Ames |first1=Nick |title=Abel Ruiz's winner gives Braga narrow first-leg victory over Rangers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/07/braga-rangers-europa-league-quarter-final-first-leg-match-report |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=7 April 2022}}

=Girona=

On 27 June 2024, Ruiz signed for La Liga club Girona on a contract until June 2029.{{cite news |title=Abel Ruiz, red and white until 2029 |url=https://www.gironafc.cat/en/news/abel-ruiz-red-and-white-until-2029 |access-date=27 June 2024 |publisher=Girona FC |date=27 June 2024}}

International career

Ruiz made his debut for the Spain under-17 team on 25 October 2015, starting and scoring the first in a 2–0 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification win against Andorra.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/futbol-base/abel-ruiz-abre-camino-victoria-seleccion-espanola-sub17-ante-andorra-4616893|title=Abel Ruiz abre el camino de la victoria de la selección española sub'17 ante Andorra|trans-title=Abel Ruiz shows the way to victory of Spain under-17s against Andorra|publisher=Sport|language=es|date=25 October 2015|access-date=6 September 2017}} He was also named in the list for the finals in Azerbaijan,{{cite web|url=http://www.ffcv.es/wp/cuatro-representantes-valencianos-rumbo-a-la-eurocopa-sub-17-de-azerbaiyan/|title=Cuatro representantes valencianos, rumbo a la Eurocopa Sub-17 de Azerbaiyán|trans-title=Four Valencians, to the under-17 European Championship in Azerbaijan|publisher=FFCV|language=es|date=28 April 2016|access-date=6 September 2017}} despite being one year younger than his teammates.

Ruiz finished the competition with four goals, being awarded the Silver Boot; he was also included in the tournament's best eleven.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cda5b011791-4b5d708b3116-1000--ten-to-watch-from-u17-euro-in-azerbaijan/|title=Ten to watch from U17 EURO in Azerbaijan|publisher=UEFA|date=23 May 2016|access-date=29 August 2017}} During the 2017 edition in Croatia, he captained the side as Spain achieved their ninth title.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/under17/history/season=2017/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606164420/http://www.uefa.com/under17/history/season=2017/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2017|title=Spain secure record third U17 EURO title|publisher=UEFA|date=19 May 2017|access-date=6 September 2017}}

On 22 September 2017, Ruiz was included in Santiago Denia's squad ahead of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup,{{cite web|url=http://www.sefutbol.com/oficial-esta-es-convocatoria-copa-mundial-sub-17-india|title=Oficial {{!}} Esta es la convocatoria para la Copa Mundial Sub-17 de India|trans-title=Official {{!}} This is the call-up for the Under-17 World Cup in India|publisher=SeFutbol|language=es|date=22 September 2017|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706121414/http://www.sefutbol.com/oficial-esta-es-convocatoria-copa-mundial-sub-17-india|url-status=dead}} and scored two braces in the tournament, scoring two goals in a 4–0 win against Niger on 10 October, and two more in a 3–1 semi-finals win against Mali on 25 October.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/matches/round=275925/match=300394748/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011131/http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/matches/round=275925/match=300394748/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2017|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017|last=FIFA.com|website=FIFA.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-10-25}}

Due to the isolation of some national team players following the positive COVID-19 test of Sergio Busquets, Spain's under-21 squad were called up for the international friendly against Lithuania on 8 June 2021.{{cite news |url=https://sefutbol.com/oficial-lista-convocados-encuentro-lituania |title=Oficial {{!}} Lista de convocados para el encuentro ante Lituania |trans-title=Official {{!}} Squad list for the match against Lithuania |work=Royal Spanish Football Federation |date=6 June 2021 |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=es |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008070336/https://sefutbol.com/oficial-lista-convocados-encuentro-lituania |url-status=dead }} Ruiz made his senior debut in the 4–0 win in Leganés, missing a penalty in the match.{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/espana-vs-lituania/cronica/2021/06/08/60bfd85222601dc65d8b458f.html|title=Spain youngsters impress in Lithuania rout|website=Marca|date=8 June 2021|accessdate=8 June 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.explica.co/abel-ruiz-missed-a-penalty-in-his-debut-with-the-senior-spanish-team.html|title=Explica .co – Latest news from around the world|access-date=28 June 2021|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703081730/https://www.explica.co/abel-ruiz-missed-a-penalty-in-his-debut-with-the-senior-spanish-team.html|url-status=dead}}

At the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, in the 20th second of the match against Croatia, Ruiz scored the quickest goal in the history of the tournament, bringing a 1–0 victory to Spain and advancement to the quarter-finals.{{cite news |last=MacKenzie |first=Alasdair |date=24 June 2023 |title=Abel Ruiz scores quickest goal in U21 Euros history as Spain and Ukraine reach quarter-finals |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/u-21-euro/2023/abel-ruiz-scores-quickest-goal-in-u21-euros-history-as-spain-and-ukraine-reach-quarter-finals_sto9672428/story.shtml |work=Eurosport |location=Issy-les-Moulineaux, France |access-date=25 June 2023}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|abel-ruiz-ortega/427921}}

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{{efn|Includes Taça de Portugal}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="5"|Barcelona B

|2016–17

|Segunda División B

20colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—20
2017–18

|Segunda División

|26

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—263
2018–19

|Segunda División B

|21

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—213
2019–20

|Segunda División B

|19

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—193
colspan="2"|Total

!68

9colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—689
Barcelona

|2018–19

|La Liga

|1

000colspan="2"|—00colspan="2"|—10
Braga (loan)

|2019–20

|Primeira Liga

|6

100002{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1colspan="2"|—82
rowspan="5"|Braga

|2020–21

|Primeira Liga

|25

377314{{efn|name=UEL}}0colspan="2"|—3911
2021–22

|Primeira Liga

|28

2202010{{efn|name=UEL}}31{{efn|Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira}}0435
2022–23

|Primeira Liga

|34

852418{{efn|Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}}1colspan="2"|—5112
2023–24

|Primeira Liga

|30

6304011{{efn|Nine appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1colspan="2"|—487
colspan="2"|Total

!117

191791323361018136
Girona

|2024–25

|La Liga

|23

410colspan="2"|—3{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}0colspan="2"|—274
colspan="3"|Career total

!215

331891323861028550

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|match played 24 July 2024}}{{NFT player|id=83307|access-date=5 September 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Spain

|2021

20
202200
202300
202410
colspan="2"|Total30

Honours

Barcelona Youth

  • UEFA Youth League: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/match/2024259--chelsea-vs-barcelona/lineups/|title=Chelsea 0–3 Barcelona|publisher=UEFA|access-date=13 July 2020}}

Barcelona

Braga

  • Taça de Portugal: 2020–21{{cite web|url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/2101-braga-beat-10-man-to-lift-portuguese-cup|title=Braga beat nine-man Benfica to lift Portuguese Cup|publisher=PortuGOAL|first=Patrick|last=Ribeiro|date=23 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021}}
  • Taça da Liga: 2023–24{{Cite news |date=27 January 2024 |title=Sp. Braga vence a Taça da Liga pela terceira vez |trans-title=Sp. Braga wins Taça da Liga for the third time |url=https://www.publico.pt/2024/01/27/desporto/cronica_de_jogo/sp-braga-vence-taca-liga-terceira-2078385 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=Público |language=pt}}

Spain U17

Spain U18

Spain U19

Spain U23

  • Summer Olympics gold medal: 2024{{cite news |last=Ronay |first=Barney |date=9 August 2024 |title=Camello’s extra-time double clinches football gold for Spain against France |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/09/football-olympics-paris-france-spain-final |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}

Individual

  • UEFA European Under-17 Championship Silver Boot: 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cda5bfba94f-27e33c06fabf-1000--jose-gomes-crowned-u17-euro-top-scorer/|title=U17 Top scorers in Azerbaijan|publisher=UEFA|date=21 May 2016|access-date=29 August 2017}}
  • UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017{{cite web|title=Technical Report – Team of the Tournament|date = July 2017|url=http://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2017/technical-report/uefa-technical-team/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810035642/http://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2017/technical-report/uefa-technical-team/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 August 2017|publisher=UEFA|access-date=17 December 2017}}
  • FIFA Under-17 World Cup Bronze Boot: 2017 (6 goals)
  • Mediterranean Games top scorer: 2018 (7 goals)
  • Taça de Portugal top scorer: 2020–21 (7 goals)
  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship top scorer: 2023 (3 goals){{Cite web |date=8 July 2023 |title=Under-21 EURO Top Scorers: Abel Ruiz, Sergio Gómez and Georgiy Sudakov tie |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0282-1857d7a3f6d6-662af86b9717-1000--under-21-euro-top-scorers-abel-ruiz-sergio-gomez-and-geor/ |access-date=21 November 2023 |website=UEFA}}
  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2023{{cite news |date=11 July 2023 |title=2023 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament |newspaper=UEFA |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0283-1876f534fb25-e069a027749d-1000--team-of-the-tournament/ |access-date=14 July 2023}}

Records

  • Top scorer in the history of UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals: 8 goals (shared with Amine Gouiri and Odsonne Édouard){{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cda45d72880-14dbc88452ea-1000--ruiz-and-gouiri-equal-record-spain-into-last-four/|title=Abel Ruiz and Amine Gouiri equal record|publisher=UEFA|date=12 May 2017|access-date=29 August 2017}}
  • Top scorer in the history of UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 16 goals (shared with José Gomes){{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cda45c6aa54-d5dda2c1b94d-1000--ruiz-level-with-jose-gomes-as-top-u17-euro-scorer/|title=Ruiz level with José Gomes as top U17 EURO scorer|publisher=UEFA|date=19 May 2017|access-date=6 September 2017}}
  • Top scorer in the history of the Spain under-17 team: 27 goals{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/seleccion/2017/05/16/591ad8bf268e3e7b678b4746.html|title=Abel Ruiz, récord de la Sub 17|trans-title=Abel Ruiz, under-17s record holder|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=16 May 2017|access-date=29 August 2017}}
  • Most-capped player in the history of the Spain under-17 team: 37 appearances

References

{{Reflist}}