Abel Ruiz Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Our Abel Ruiz Biography tells you Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Family Background, Parents – Ana María Ortega (Mother), José Luis (Father), Siblings – José Luis, Víctor Alfonso (Brothers), Girlfriend (Andrea Pericas), etc.

This article on Ruiz also breaks down the details of his Spanish Family Origins, Ethnicity, Education, Zodiac, Hometown, etc. More so, we’ll tell you Facts about the Spanish Forward’s Lifestyle, Personality and Salary Breakdown – up to what he makes every second as a footballer with Braga.

In a nutshell, this memoir breaks down the Life History of Abel Ruiz. LifeBogger tells you the story of a boy who achieved a historic feat by becoming the first player born in the year 2000 to make his debut for the FC Barcelona senior team. Again, this article tells the story of a footballer who holds a national record for Spanish men’s football in terms of goal-scoring.

LifeBogger tells you the story of an Almussafes striker who believed he was raised in the image and likeness of David Villa, his football idol. Abel is more than just a footballer; but a family guy and a good roommate. Speaking of being a good roommate, one footballer, who goes by the name Ansu Fati, can attest to that. Both footballers (Abel and Ansu) had an incredible time together at La Masía, which we’ll discuss with you.

This article reveals the story of a footballer torn between joining FC Barcelona or Real Madrid (when he was a kid). At the height of his abilities in Valencia, both clubs eagerly sought Abel’s signature. Surprisingly, the decisive factor in choosing Barcelona over Madrid was the influence of his schoolmates. Indeed, LifeBogger will tell you how their opinions played a pivotal role in his decision.

Preamble:

We begin telling you the story of Abel Ruiz by analyzing notable events of his boyhood years, which were spent in Almussafes, Spain. Next, we’ll take you through his early football journey with Valencia and the great Barcelona football club. Our article then goes further to explain how the footballer from Almussafes achieved a meteoric rise in the beautiful game.

In fact, LifeBogger hopes to satisfy your autobiography appetite as it engages you with reading Abel Ruiz’s Biography. To begin doing that, let’s unveil this gallery that tells his story, from his boyhood years (spent in Almussafes) to the moment he achieved stardom in football. Indeed, Abel has come a long way in his amazing life and career journey.

Yes, everyone knows Ruiz has this quick burst of pace and physicality, which allows him to battle for the ball up top. Football pundits and fans describe him as a good finisher, and we are not surprised because he holds the record of being the highest goalscorer in the history of Spain’s youth team, the under-17.

In our long history of telling the stories of Spanish Strikers, we noticed a knowledge deficit. The truth is, not many football fans have read Abel Ruiz’s biography, which is truly inspiring. We have taken this bold step to tell you his story, thanks to our love for the Almussafes native as well as the beautiful game. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in.

Abel Ruiz Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, his full name is Abel Ruiz Ortega. Abel Ruiz was born on the 28th day of January 2000 to his Mother, Ana María Ortega and Father, José Luis, in Almussafes, a neighbouring city of Valencia, Spain.

The Spanish professional footballer Abel Ruiz, along with his siblings José Luis and Víctor Alfonso, was born into the joyful marriage of their Dad and Mum. We’d like to introduce you to Abel Ruiz’s parents: Ana María Ortega and José Luis. This devoted couple may not have provided Abel with material wealth, but they instilled in him a spirit of reverence and strong values.

Growing-Up Years:

Abel Ruiz spent his childhood years in Almussafes, a town in the comarca of Ribera Baixa located in the Valencian Community, Spain. Being the last born of his family, the Spaniard had always known how it felt to be loved. Abel grew up in the loving care of his parents and older brothers. He never misses to appreciate them, especially his Dad, for everything he has done for him. Here is young Abel in the tender arms of José Luis, his Father.

Abel Ruiz Early Life:

The Spanish footballer’s first knowledge of the beautiful game came when he was two years old. Around that age, Abel Ruiz’s parents had already seen that their third son liked the soccer ball and saw it as his best gift. In fact, when they took Abel out, he showed a likeness to any round object he saw on the streets, which had the shape of a ball.

Indeed, it was at this moment, when Abel was 2 to 3 years old, that his parents understood what he was destined to do and be in life. Hence, Abel’s Dad and Mum began the quest of preparing a plan for him. Ana María and José did was to wait until Abel grew much older before getting him into a football team.

As early as the age of 7, young Abel had begun to manifest his football destiny. He did that at Almussafes, his hometown’s football club. In that team, he had a coach named José, who is described by many as very technical. This coach taught Abel and his teammate a lot about control and having a good first touch of the ball. In the Almussafes football team, playing the beautiful game was done with the Barca style. Soon, it didn’t take long before Valencia Scout found Abel.

Seasons later, Ruiz made one of the biggest decisions of his life in 2012. This was when he decided to leave his hometown club, Almussafes, and family behind to join La Masia (FC Barcelona’s academy). Before we continue with his amazing football story with Barcelona, let’s first tell you some facts about the athlete’s household.

Abel Ruiz Family Background:

The Spanish professional footballer joins the likes of many footballers (the likes of Rodri and Álex Baena), who were raised in a comfortable middle-class home. Regarding the occupation of Abel Ruiz’s Parents, our findings reveal that his Dad is a worker at Ford Valencia Body and Assembly. This is one of Europe’s major car assembly plants in Almussafes, situated just on the southern edge of the Valencia conurbation, Spain.

Abel Ruiz’s Dad is one of the over 8,000 employees of Ford Valencia Body and Assembly, a car company which produces 450,000 vehicles in a year. In fact, his workplace is Ford’s largest manufacturing complex outside the United States. Ana María Ortega, who is Abel Ruiz’s mother, takes great pride in her role as a homemaker, dedicating herself to the nurturing and care of her family.

In the Ruiz family, professional football isn’t the sole esteemed profession. Abel’s brother José Luis is a dedicated teacher and an enthusiastic football fan. Meanwhile, his other brother, Víctor Alfonso, has different interests, favouring music over football.

A defining characteristic of the Ruiz family, predominantly male, is their strong bond, marked by love, unity, and mutual respect. José Luis, his Dad and Ana María Ortega, Abel’s mother, are both commended for nurturing a strong and close-knit family in Almussafes. Among them is their breadwinner, Abel, who has flourished as a professional footballer

Abel Ruiz Family Origin:

The Forward, who plays for Braga at the time of writing, accepts Almussafes, a municipality in Valencia, as his hometown. Ruiz’s nationality is Spain, and he is a bond fide Spaniard. Despite having Almussafes as his birthplace, it is revealed that the footballer has a different root. Research has it that Abel Ruiz’s family originates from Cehegín. Cehegín, as shown in the map below, is a town in the Comarca del Noroeste in the Region of Murcia, Spain.

The place of Abel Ruiz’s origins, Cehegín, is a fascinating town rich in history. A town with popular archaeological sites. Again, the town celebrates vibrant festivals and traditions, and its economy is historically rooted in agriculture. Cehegín also embraces a growing tourism sector supported by a strong community culture and arts and crafts tradition.

Abel Ruiz Ethnicity:

The Spanish professional footballer Abel Ruiz shares his Valencian heritage with players like Alexia Putelas and Carlos Soler. The Valencians, a prominent ethnic group in Spain, speak Valencian, a dialect of Catalan. While the Valencian language, as spoken by Abel Ruiz’s family, bears many similarities to the Catalan used in Catalonia, it is unique in its vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage.

Abel Ruiz Education:

Spanish footballer Abel Ruiz once shared a memorable school experience marked by confusion. He had received offers from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, leading to a challenging decision. His parents insisted that he make the choice himself, increasing his dilemma. This situation distracted him from his studies, as he was a fan of both clubs and spent much time at school pondering his decision.

Abel Ruiz spent much time contemplating his decision at school. He discussed his options with friends, who helped him evaluate his choices. With their assistance, it became clear to him that joining Barcelona was the right thing. In fact, it was the right path for his development as a young footballer. Ultimately, Abel’s decision to choose Barcelona was influenced not only by his own thoughts but also by the guidance of his school friends.

Career Buildup:

The quest to become a professional footballer had its early beginnings when Abel was a 2 to 3-year-old child. From developing a likeness for anything that looks round, like a ball, Ana María and José Luis recognized Abel’s destiny and decided to act positively. They made their little boy join their town club, Almussafes. Abel Ruiz still remembers one of his coaches in that team, who goes by the name José. Everyone back then described José as a very technical coach. They saw him as a coach who taught his players a lot about control. And he made his students play the Barça style, which involved plenty of touch passes.

Abel Ruiz Biography – Early Career:

In his hometown club, Almussafes, lots of scouts often troop in to observe the kids, thanks to their beautiful game of football. When Abel Ruiz was between 7 and 8 years old, Valencia noticed him and made efforts to sign him. But first, due process was to be followed. The club invited Abel and a few other kids to a seven-against-seven match, which was organized to test him and see if he was good enough to be on a competitive team like Valencia. Thankfully, Abel passed the test and reflecting on that, he said,

I remember with excitement the moment they told me I was to sign with valencia.

Ruiz’s time at Valencia was filled with facing competition. Because he was very good with the ball, he was told to play with kids who were a year older than him, and he simply loved that. Abel described those moments of thriving in a team of older kids and also playing against older kids as incredible. Do you know?… Abel and Ferrán Torres were in the same Valencia youth team at that time. Both players played against older boys, and Abel was the youngest, as he was younger than Ferrán Torres by just 30 days.

Pictorial evidence shows that Abel Ruiz was the most talented kid at Valencia at that time. Thanks to his brilliance, he always found himself not just edging out but being the recipient of numerous honours by the club. On this particular occasion, as shown in the picture below, a young Abel Ruiz was acknowledged by the Valencia crowd and management team.

Becoming a hot transfer property:

There were also scouts watching him as on that day he received this great honour by the club. Abel Ruiz’s Parents weren’t surprised when the two biggest clubs in Spain had their eyes on their son. In fact, both Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted the talented boy from Almussafes, and it became a tug-of-war between these clubs as to who would get Abel first. Abel Ruiz’s Family knew they had to make a choice.

Indeed, it was difficult to let go of either club, and his parents came to the conclusion that they wanted their son to decide. In the end, Abel chose the club of his dreams. It was no other than FC Barcelona, the club which, as of then, boasted of having his idol, David Villa. Also, the persons of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Andreas Iniesta, etc.

Abel Ruiz Bio – Road to Fame Story:

FC Barcelona always love to sign young kids who are often talented and younger. They always go for the youngest, who are among the best in their academies. Abel Ruiz was a perfect example of those kids, as he represented Valencia at that time. Thanks to his gameplay, which was far above his age, Barça noticed him and made every effort to sign him to their youth setup in 2012. Like many other kids who joined the Blaugrana, Abel revealed he was lucky to have signed for the great Spanish club.

Life with Barca Youth:

Before Abel Ruiz got into FC Barcelona’s books, he had never visited the great Spanish club. The Barca new boy fondly remembers the first day he visited there after he got into their books. Surprisingly, Abel Ruiz first met his idol, David Villa. The Spanish Legend later represented Abel with his football agency. Upon meeting each other for the first time, David and Abel became friends and took photos together. Also, on that day, Ruiz arrived at Barca for the first time, he met Tito Vilanova, who has now become his coach.

Abel Ruiz became a notable alumnus of La Masia, FC Barcelona’s famous academy. This institution has produced a plethora of footballers, both active and retired. Here are some of the distinguished graduates. They include Lionel Messi (Forward), Gerard Pique (Central Defender). Also, names like Bojan Krkic (Forward), Pedro Rodriguez (Forward), and Pep Guardiola (Defensive Midfielder). Again, Marc Cucurella (Left Back), Lucas Digne (Left Back), Ilaix Moriba (Midfielder), etc. These individuals are just a few examples of the many talents nurtured at La Masia.

Abel Ruiz’s parents accompanied him to the club as soon as he signed, just to see that he wasn’t feeling any pressure and was settled. Ana María Ortega and José Luis wanted their son to make new friends, and they were pleased he found him in no time. That person who became Abel’s best friend is no other than Ansu Fati. In fact, in his first year at La Masía, Ruiz shared a flat with the then-very young Barca Forward, Ansu Fati.

Early Barca Experience:

If you ask me, we gladly tell you that the boy from Almussafes was quick to make a first impression with La Masia. Abel and his roommate, Ansu Fati, partnered up as Strikers and helped their young Barcelona team become the Champions of Catalonia.

It was a match against Cornellà, a Spanish football team based in Cornellà de Llobregat, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. In that match (a cup final which ended in a 2-1 defeat to Cornellà), Abel scored only two goals. When he held the trophy, the youngster felt even prouder to belong to a great winning team that has no limits.

Early triumph with the Spanish youth team:

Two seasons after signing for FC Barcelona, Abel Ruiz, to the joy of his family, was called to represent his country at the youth level. In that Spanish U17 youth team, Abel Ruiz met one of his great football friends and former Valencia teammate, Ferrán Torres.

Abel Ruiz Biography – Rise to Fame Story:

While he was in the Barcelona academy, the youngster didn’t experience the kind of life that was filled with roses. Despite everything not being a bed of roses, Abel Ruiz was favoured to be among those to make his Barcelona debut. In 2019, Young Abel found himself becoming a member of the most powerful locker rooms in the world. Before he appeared on the pitch, on the day of his debut, he received a passionate hug from his Baraca teammates, especially his close friend, Jordi Alba. 

To the joy of Abel Ruiz’s family, their breadwinner had his La Liga debut on the 12th of May 2019. In that match, which resulted in a 2–0 win against Getafe, he came in as a substitute for Philippe Coutinho. For his supporters and family members, it was the reward for a job that he started in 2012, the time Abel left his hometown, Almussafes, to join La Masia. Watch some of Abel Ruiz’s Remarkable Goals during His Time at La Masia and Barcelona.

The Journey to Braga:

On the 31st day of January 2020, Abel Ruiz had to say goodbye to what had been his home for eight years. He only had words of gratitude for all the people who supported him at the great club where he had grown up. Upon his departure to Braga (Barca’s official statement), Portugal, Abel promised to continue carrying Barcelona in his heart.

When Abel Ruiz went on loan to Sporting de Braga, he found a new friend, a person with a kind heart like Ansu Fati. The Spaniard shared the same house with Francisco Trincão, who at that time was supposed to leave for leave for Barça in June 2020.

Abel was supposed to return to Barca for the 2020/2021 season, but the club’s decision to sign experienced strikers Martin Braithwaite and Antoine Griezmann gave signals that there was little room for him to get adequate game time. Because of that, the youngster approved that his Braga loan should be converted into a permanent contract.

In that summer transfer window (2020/2021 season), Ruiz broke a record by becoming the most expensive signing in Braga’s history. From the northern city of Portugal, the Valencian Forward became part of the Braga project, relaunched his career with goals (as shown below) and most importantly, he found a new home. The rest, as we say, is now history.

Abel Ruiz Love Life:

The Spanish professional footballer is in a relationship with Andrea, who happens to be his girlfriend. Andrea Pericas was born on the 3rd day of January 1998 to Spanish parents. By implication, she is two years and 25 days older than her boyfriend, Abel. Please note that the difference between January 28, 2000 (Abel’s birthday), and January 3, 1998 (Andrea’s birthday) is 755 days.

More about Andrea Pericas:

Research has it that Abel Ruiz’s Girlfriend is a businesswoman. Andrea Pericass is the owner of SpaceBefit. According to its website, the company offers a service that helps people transform their bodies, minds, and lives. In a nutshell, SpaceBefot specializes in fat loss and body definition.

Aside from being a body expert, Andrea is also a supportive girlfriend. Besides Abel Ruiz’s parents and brother, another person who was very happy at Camp Nou on the day of Abel Ruiz’s FC Barcelona debut was his girlfriend, Andrea. At the time of writing this Bio, Andrea and her boyfriend are not yet married. However, they are signs that their wedding and also having kids are on their way.

Personal Life:

Who is Abel Ruiz?

Starting off, the Spaniard is someone who believes the soccer ball is made of dreams. Every footballer should devote hard work and time to making that happen.

Ruiz is also someone who doesn’t forget where he comes from. He believes that if the door opens in the future, he will be delighted to go back to his old club, Valencia and help them.

Again, the Sporting de Braga forward looks up to Robert Lewandoski and Karim Benzema. They are legendary strikers, the two best number 9s in his generation, whom he copies their playing style.

Lifestyle:

Seeking a break from his busy professional life, Abel embraces his relaxing days fully. Along with his girlfriend, Andrea, they frequent the beaches of the Algarve, drawn to its golden sands, clear waters, and impressive rock formations. These serene beach visits perfectly align with the tranquil lifestyle they desire.

Abel cherishes the unforgettable experiences in the waters of Algarve, where he enjoys bonding with friends. Each holiday season he visits, he never misses the chance to ride his flatboat. After these boating adventures, he, his friends, and their partners often dine together before returning to their respective accommodations.

Abel Ruiz Family Life:

The concept of a close-knit household varies among footballers. For some, it’s about blood relations and connecting with their roots. For Abel and others, it’s defined by closeness, trust, and affection, transcending mere DNA ties. This part of our biography delves into the people who have been the most influential in Abel’s life.

Abel Ruiz Siblings:

Víctor Alfonso felt immense pride for his brother’s football debut. Despite that, his own passion lies in music (similar to Aaron Ramsdale‘s brother, Oliver). Interestingly, Víctor Alfonso participated in the 2016 “Operación Triunfo” castings, a renowned singing contest in Spain. In this competition, music enthusiasts and singers perform popular songs, vying to win the prestigious title.

Thanks to Abel’s supportive older brother, who shares their father’s name, the celebration of Abel’s debut extended beyond Spain, reaching as far as New York’s Times Square. There, a group of master’s degree students in PR management, along with fellow teacher José Luis — one of Abel’s two brothers — gathered to watch the game and cheer on Abel’s remarkable achievement.

José Luis was the first to arrive at the New York venue. He was unaware that his colleagues planned a surprise gathering. He didn’t anticipate that friends like Juan Miguel Grau, Martín León, Noemí Franquet, etc. Also, Nicolò Rossi, Laura Mas, and Ivette Borralleras, all originally from Barcelona, would join him to watch the game. Significantly, as a token of support, they had brought along Abel’s shirt from Barcelona, demonstrating their shared excitement and camaraderie for Abel’s debut.

Abel Ruiz Mother:

The 12th of May, 2019, is an unforgettable date for Ana María Ortega and his family. It was during the 68th minute of a Barcelona match against Getafe, which he attended, that his 19-year-old son made a celebrated debut with the senior team, stepping onto the Camp Nou field for the first time.

Abel Ruiz Father:

José Luis is more than just a Dad who knows a lot about cars, considering he works for a Valencian Ford subsidiary company (Ford Almussafes). He is someone who knows how to build and maintain a successful home, as evidenced by what his children have achieved in their careers. José Luis and his wife, Ana María Ortega, are among the most established couples in Atletico.

Abel Ruiz Relatives:

During a special event, the Almussafes City Council honoured local footballer Abel Ruiz for his achievements in the sport. Mayor Toni González and Sports Councilor Pau Bosch led the ceremony, publicly acknowledging Abel’s contributions to elite football, including winning the U17 Euro Cup with the Spanish team and his notable accomplishments with FC Barcelona.

Abel was surrounded by his family — parents, brothers, grandparents, uncles, and cousins — as he received a commemorative plaque from the city, marking their pride and gratitude for his impressive efforts.

Untold Facts:

In the final section of Abel Ruiz’s Biography, we’ll unveil more truths about him. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Abel Ruiz’s FIFA:

Currently, aside from goalkeeping and defending, Abel lacks two specific football skills. He has a below-50-mark average level in the area of aggression and interception. The Striker demonstrates attacking attributes similar to players like Armando Broja and Cameron Archer. Abel’s most notable footballing strengths are his jumping and stamina. However, he still has considerable room for growth to achieve his potential rating of 84.

Abel Ruiz Salary:

The contract he signed with Portuguese Primeira Liga club Braga sees him earning the sum of 729,120 annually. This translates to Abel making the sum of €14,000 weekly. Now, here is a table that breaks down Abel Ruiz’s salary in euros.

EndNote:

Abel Ruiz Ortega arrived in the world in the year of the new millennium. He was born an Aquarius on the 28th day of January 2000. He is one among other siblings born to his Father, José Luis and Mother, Ana María Ortega. Although Abel Ruiz was born in Valencia, his family roots are unequivocally Murcian. The Spaniard grew up in Valencia alongside his two older brothers. The first is José Luis, a teacher and football enthusiast. And the second is Víctor Alfonso, a music lover.

As little as the age of 2, Abel Ruiz’s parents had already spotted the fact that their son loved football. Abel was fond of every round object that resembled a ball. Thanks to this profound love, Jose and Ana decided to enrol him in their town club, Almussafes. At the age of 7, Valencia noticed Abel’s talent, and they signed him. Abel achieved a meteoric rise in Valencia, which earned him a move to FC Barcelona.

Barca and Beyond:

On the first day he visited Barcelona, Ruiz met with his idol, David Villa. The Spanish Legend now represents him with his football agency. His first months at La Masía were complicated. Ruis arrived at the Le Masia when he was 12 years old. From that moment, he began living in their boarding facility without his parents.

During weekends, his parents went to see him, and sometimes his brothers would accompany them. In the mornings, he attends school, and during afternoons, he trains. Thanks to the good group of people at La Masia, young Abel quickly adapted. He made lots of friends, people like his roommate, Ángel Bermejo (doorman) and best friend Juan Miranda.

Marcel and Isaac are among the two coaches who made Abel grow a lot at Le Masia. The first two years he had with these coaches improved his technical qualities. Marcel and Isaac also took great care of his personal aspects.

Abel had great memories with Ansu Fati, who was his roommate at La Masía. Ansu, Abel, and another teammate, Bermejo, were told to share the same room. At the Barca youth level, Abel won the UEFA Youth League title. More interestingly, Abel made a name for himself as one of Spain’s youngest goalscorers of all time. He remains the only player with the most goals and most caps in Spain’s under-17 history.

For a footballer who is very close to his family, Abel Ruiz’s parents and older brothers were able to follow him on his Barcelona debut adventure. As I conclude this Bio, he is one of the leading strikers for S.C. Braga. He, alongside notables like Bryan Zaragoza and Lamine Yamal, etc, are important members of Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish national team.

Appreciation Note:

Thank you for taking the time to read LifeBogger’s version of Abel Ruiz’s Biography. We care about accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver Football stories that relate to Spanish players. Abel Ruiz’s story is part of LifeBogger’s wider collection of European Football stories.

Please let us know if you notice anything that doesn’t look right in this memoir about the Baller, who is known to have scored the quickest goal in U21 Euros history. Also, tell me what you think about the Spanish Forward and the impressive memoir we’ve written about him.

Aside from Abel Ruiz’s biography, we’ve got other interesting childhood stories for you to read. Surely, the Life History of one of Inaki‘s brothers, Nico Williams, and the fast-rising Mikel Mirono will excite your passion for soccer autobiographies.