Quick Facts
Biography
Rubén Suárez Estrada (Spanish pronunciation: [ruˈβen ˈswaɾeθ]; born 19 February 1979) is a Spanish footballer who plays for CF Torre Levante. Mainly an attacking midfielder, he can also operate as a second striker.
He appeared in 283 Segunda División games during 13 seasons, scoring 49 goals combined for Sporting de Gijón, Elche, Levante and Almería. He added 61/13 in La Liga with the two last clubs, and also competed professionally in China and Greece.
Club career
Born in Gijón, and a product of local Sporting de Gijón's famed youth academy, Mareo, Suárez played six seasons with the Asturians' first team in Segunda División. Afterwards he stayed in the level, with four additional years at Elche CF.
In July 2008, Suárez joined Levante UD also in that tier. In his first year he finished as the side's top scorer at 12, mainly due to the serious fibula injury to Alexandre Geijo.
In the 2009–10 season, Suárez repeated the feat (again scoring in double digits), as the Valencians returned to La Liga after a two-year absence. On 28 August 2010, at the ripe age of 31 years, six months and nine days, he made his debut in the top division, opening the score at home against Sevilla FC, through a penalty kick, in an eventual 1–4 defeat.
In late June 2012, aged 33, Suárez had his first adventure abroad, signing with Chinese Super League club Guizhou Renhe F.C. and reuniting with former Levante teammates Rafa Jordà and Nano, after contributing with eight goals in less than 1,000 minutes of play to Levante's first-ever qualification to the UEFA Europa League after a sixth-place finish in the league.
On 3 January 2013, Suárez returned to his country, signing with second level's UD Almería for 18 months.
International career
Suárez played in all the matches for Spain at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Nigeria, netting in a 3–1 group stage win against Honduras (the only game where he did not appear from the bench), as the national team won the tournament. Later in that year, he earned one cap for the under-21 team.
Personal life
Suárez's father, Secundino, was also a footballer. A defender, he too played for Sporting Gijón.
Honours
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1999