Luis Rubiales

Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar (born 23 August 1977) is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a defender.

Known for not being a very skilled player but a tenacious one – he only appeared in 53 La Liga games over the course of three seasons – he received the nickname Pundonor (Courage).

Football career

Rubiales was born in Motril, Province of Granada. During his Spanish career, spent mainly in Segunda División, he represented Guadix CF, RCD Mallorca B, UE Lleida, Xerez CD, Levante UD (gaining promotion to La Liga in 2004 and 2006) and Alicante CF. He made his debut in the main category of Spanish football on 29 August 2004, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 away draw against Real Sociedad.

On 4 August 2009, it was announced he had agreed a one-year deal at Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical. However, after only three league appearances – four official – he left the club and returned to this country.

In March 2010, already retired, Rubiales was elected president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE).