Full Name: Rubén de la Red Gutierrez Bio
Alias: De la Red
Place of Birth: Móstoles, Spain
Date of Birth: 28/01/1986
Position: Midfielder
Weight: 174 lbs / 79 kg
Height: 6′1″ / 186 cms
Nationality: Spanish
Rubén de la Red is the perfect example of the brilliance of Real Madrid’s youth system. Comparisons can easily be made with other great players on the squad that have excelled thanks to their elegant touch on ball, vision, and outstanding technique. At 23 years old, De la Red is a product of the Club’s academy. Since he joined the Under-17’s, the player stood out among his teammates and caught the attention of the Under-20’s coach, Quique Sánchez Flores. From then on, he evolved remarkably.
De la Red was one of the key players in Castilla’s return to the Second Division. His dominance in the midfield and swift touch on ball convinced Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who called upon the player to join the first team for its 2005 preseason tour. His debut with Real Madrid’s first team was on the 21st of September of that same year against Athletic Bilbao when he replaced captain Raúl González. He made his debut in the Champions League two months later against Rosenborg.
Misfortune struck Castilla and the team was relegated to the Third Division at the end of the 2006/07 season. De la Red joined Getafe for the 2007/08 campaign and had a brilliant year. Bernd Schuster and the Sports Directorship then decided it was time for Rubén to return to Real Madrid.
The youth system player was summoned to join his national team to play in Euro 2008. He was a starter against Greece, scored a sensational goal and eventually won the competition with Spain.
