Full name Álvaro Rubio Robres Playing position Years Team Weight 80 kg | Place of birth Logroño, Spain 1994–1998 Zaragoza Height 1.78 m Career start 1998 | |
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Date of birth (1979-04-18) 18 April 1979 (age 37) Current team Real Valladolid (#18 / Midfielder) Similar André Leão, Óscar González Marcos, Igor Lichnovsky, Alejandro Pérez Navarro, Pablo Hervías | ||
Álvaro Rubio Robres (born 18 April 1979) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder.
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He spent most of his career with Valladolid, appearing in 310 games all competitions comprised. In La Liga he also represented Albacete, for a total of 204 matches in that competition during eight seasons (four goals).
Early years
Born in Logroño, La Rioja, Rubio began his professional career with Real Zaragoza, but never made it past the B-team. 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 second division.
After 25 matches in the 2002–03 season, as Albacete returned to La Liga after a seven-year absence, Rubio made his top flight debut on 26 October 2003 in a 2–3 away loss against Real Betis where he came on as a 27th-minute substitute. He amassed a further 50 matches until June 2005, when the club was relegated back.
Valladolid
For the 2006–07 campaign, Rubio signed with Real Valladolid, being promoted to the top level in his first year 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).
Due to injuries, Rubio could only appear in 16 league matches in 2009–10, and Valladolid dropped down to division two for the first time in three years. Although still afflicted by physical problems, he helped to another promotion in 2012, contributing to the feat with 20 starts and going on to be a regular in the following two top flight campaigns; he continued to be heavily played as the club returned to the second tier.
Abroad
On 8 August 2016, 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. On 30 November, after five appearances in the AFC Cup to help his team reach the final, he left.
International career
Rubio was part of the Spanish 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.
Rubio found the net in his only appearance for the under-21 team, a 2–1 home success over Israel for the 2000 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.