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Ruben Paz
Ruben paz racing2.jpg
Paz during his time at Racing Club in 1988
Personal information
Full name Ruben Wálter Paz Márquez
Date of birth (1959-08-08) 8 August 1959 (age 66)
Place of birth Artigas, Uruguay
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) 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
International career
1979–1990 Uruguay 45 (8)
Medal record
Representing  Uruguay
Copa América
Runner-up 1989 Brazil
Mundialito
Winner 1980 Uruguay
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ruben Wálter Paz Márquez (born August 8, 1959) is a famous Uruguayan former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder, which is a player who helps both attack and defense. Ruben Paz played for the Uruguay team in two FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was also named the South American Footballer of the Year in 1988. He stopped playing football professionally in 2006 when he was 47 years old. Today, he works as an assistant coach for the Peñarol football club.

Ruben Paz's Club Career

Ruben Paz started his football journey at age 17. He joined Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo in 1977. He played for Peñarol until February 1982. During this time, he achieved great success.

Early Success in Uruguay

  • He helped Peñarol win three Uruguayan league championships. These wins were in 1978, 1979, and 1981.
  • In 1981, he became the top scorer in the Uruguayan league. This means he scored the most goals that season.

Moving to Brazil

In 1982, Ruben Paz moved to Brazil to play for Internacional. This team is from the Rio Grande do Sul region.

  • He won three Gaúcho championships in a row with Internacional. These wins were in 1982, 1983, and 1984.
  • From 1985 to 1986, he was considered the best player in the Brazilian league.

Playing in Europe

In 1986, Ruben Paz went to Europe. He joined Matra Racing Paris, which is now called Racing Club de France. This team plays in the Ligue 1 of French Football. While there, he played alongside another famous Uruguayan player, Enzo Francescoli.

Becoming an Idol in Argentina

The next year, he moved to Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Argentine league.

  • He quickly became a leader for the team.
  • Fans loved him and saw him as an idol.
  • In 1988, his team won the South American Super Cup and the Interamericana Super Cup.
  • That same year, he was named both the Argentinian and South American Footballer of the Year.
  • He was one of the few players in Argentinian football respected by all fans, even those of rival teams.

Time in Italy and Return to Racing Club

For the 1989–90 season, Ruben Paz transferred to Genoa in Italy. This team plays in the Serie A of the Italian Football League. He played with two other Uruguayan players, José Perdomo and Carlos Aguilera.

After one year in Italy, he returned to Racing Club in Argentina. He played there again until 1993.

Later Career Years

In 1993, he went back to Uruguay to play for Rampla Juniors. The following year, he joined the Frontera Rivera club. He stayed there until 2000, except for the 1996 season. In 1996, he played for Godoy Cruz in Argentina. After 2000, he continued to play for smaller clubs. He finally ended his playing career in 2006.

Ruben Paz's International Career

Ruben Paz also had a successful career playing for his home country, Uruguay.

Winning the Mundialito

He was part of the Uruguayan team that won the Mundialito in 1980. This was a special international football tournament.

World Cup Appearances

Later, he played in two FIFA World Cup tournaments:

  • The 1986 World Cup, held in Mexico.
  • The 1990 World Cup, held in Italy.

In the 1990 World Cup, his team was knocked out in the second round by Italy.

Ruben Paz's Football Achievements

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

Club Trophies

Peñarol

Internacional

  • Campeonato Gaúcho: 1982, 1983, 1984

Racing Club

  • Supercopa Sudamericana: 1988
  • Supercopa Interamericana: 1988

International Trophies

Uruguay

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rubén Paz para niños

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