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Ruben Paz
Ruben paz racing2.jpg
Paz during his time at Racing Club in 1988
Personal information
Date of birth (1959-08-08) 8 August 1959 (age 65)
Place of birth Artigas, Uruguay
Height 1.74 m
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1966–1975 Peñarol de Artigas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1975–1977 Peñarol de Artigas
1977–1982 Peñarol 157 (53)
1982–1986 Internacional 44 (10)
1986–1987 Racing Paris 6 (0)
1987–1989 Racing Club 53 (17)
1989–1990 Genoa 25 (1)
1990–1993 Racing Club 75 (12)
1994 Rampla Juniors 10 (2)
1995 Frontera Rivera 6 (1)
1995–1996 Godoy Cruz 7 (0)
1996 Wanderers Artigas
1997–2000 Frontera Rivera 29 (3)
2002 Nacional San José de Mayo
2003–2005 Tito Borjas
2006 Pirata Juniors
National team
1979–1990 Uruguay 45 (8)
Honours
Representing  Uruguay
Copa América
Runner-up 1989 Brazil
Mundialito
Winner 1980 Uruguay
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Ruben Wálter Paz Márquez, born on August 8, 1959, is a famous former football player from Uruguay. He was a talented midfielder on the field. Ruben Paz played in two big international tournaments called the FIFA World Cup for his country's team, Uruguay. In 1988, he was even named the best football player in South America. He stopped playing professionally in 2006 when he was 47 years old. Today, he helps coach the team Peñarol.

Ruben Paz's Club Football Journey

Ruben Paz started his football career when he was just 17 years old. In 1977, he joined a team called Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo. He played for Peñarol until 1982. During this time, he helped his team win the Uruguayan league championship three times. These wins were in 1978, 1979, and 1981. He also became the top scorer in the Uruguayan league in 1981.

Playing in Brazil and France

In 1982, Ruben Paz moved to Brazil to play for Internacional. He had great success there, winning the Gaúcho championship three years in a row (1982, 1983, and 1984). By 1985–86, he was considered the best player in the Brazilian league.

In 1986, he moved to Europe to play for Matra Racing Paris in France. This team is now known as Racing Club de France. While playing in France, he was teammates with another famous Uruguayan player, Enzo Francescoli.

Becoming an Idol in Argentina

The next year, Ruben Paz joined Racing Club de Avellaneda in Argentina. He quickly became a very important player and a hero to the fans. He led the team to win two major cups in 1988: the South American Super Cup and the Interamericana Super Cup [es].

In that same year, 1988, he was chosen as the best football player in both Argentina and all of South America. He was one of the few players in Argentinian football who was respected by fans of all teams.

Later Career and Retirement

For the 1989–90 season, Ruben Paz moved to Italy to play for Genoa. He played alongside two other Uruguayan players, José Perdomo and Carlos Aguilera.

After one season in Italy, he returned to Racing Club de Avellaneda. In 1993, he went back to Uruguay to play for Rampla Juniors. The following year, he joined Frontera Rivera, where he stayed until 2000. He briefly played for Godoy Cruz in Argentina in 1996. He continued to play for smaller clubs until he finally retired in 2006.

Ruben Paz's International Career

Ruben Paz was a key player for the Uruguay national team. He was part of the team that won the Mundialito tournament in 1980.

He also represented Uruguay in two FIFA World Cup tournaments. These were the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 and the World Cup in Italy in 1990. In both tournaments, Uruguay was knocked out in the second round.

Ruben Paz's Football Achievements

Ruben Paz won many important titles and awards throughout his career.

Club Trophies

International Trophies

  • With Uruguay
    • Mundialito: 1980
    • South American U-20 Championship: 1977, 1979

Individual Awards

  • South American Footballer of the Year: 1988
  • Argentinian Footballer of the Year: 1988

See also

In Spanish: Rubén Paz para niños

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