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Marcel Ruiz (footballer)

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Marcel Ruiz
Image
Ruiz with Mexico in 2025
Personal information
Full name Marcel Alejandro Ruiz Suárez
Date of birth (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 26)
Place of birth Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Toluca
Number 14
Youth career
2012–2017 Querétaro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Querétaro 49 (6)
2020–2022 Tijuana 49 (2)
2022– Toluca 116 (12)
International career‡
2018 Mexico U20 2 (0)
2019–2021 Mexico U23 7 (0)
2023– Mexico 17 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Image Mexico
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner2025 United States–Canada
Toulon Tournament
Third place2019 FranceTeam
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place2019 LimaTeam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 7 April 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 February 2026

Marcel Alejandro Ruiz Suárez (born 26 October 2000) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga MX club Toluca and the Mexico national team.

Early life

[edit]

Ruiz was born in Mérida, Yucatán, to a Mexican father and a Cuban mother.[1] He moved with his family to Querétaro, Querétaro at the age of four. There, he began playing football at a young age and joined a local soccer school named River Plate, inspired by the Argentine club of the same name. His mother, a former gymnast, encouraged his early involvement in sports, enrolling him in karate and tennis before he began focusing more seriously on football.[2] The academy would later become affiliated with Toluca Premier. With Toluca, Ruiz would compete in the Danone Nations Cup and the Liga Premier de México.[3]

His early performances eventually led to his recruitment into the youth system of Querétaro.

Club career

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Querétaro

[edit]

A product of the youth Querétaro team, Ruiz would make his senior debut in Liga MX on 21 July 2018 against Atlas, coming in at the 86th minute for Erbín Trejo, finishing the game in a 0–0 tie. On 22 August 2018, he would score his first goal for the team, winning the game against Club Universidad Nacional 1–0, becoming the youngest scorer of the season at the age of 17.[4] On 31 August 2018, he contributed two assists for Camilo Sanvezzo to score the first two goals against Morelia, winning 4–1.[5]

Tijuana

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In July 2020, Ruiz signed with Club Tijuana after the club’s owners, Grupo Caliente, sold Querétaro and transferred several of that team’s players – including the 19-year-old Ruiz – to Tijuana.[6][7] Ruiz made his debut for Tijuana in the Apertura 2020 and gradually became a regular squad member. Under new Tijuana coach Pablo Guede, Ruiz’s role evolved from the attacking midfielder position he had played at Querétaro to a deeper playmaking role in central midfield. Often paired with fellow ex-Querétaro teammate Jordi Cortizo, he operated as a deep-lying midfielder with responsibilities in building up attacks and distributing the ball, while also contributing defensively. Guede’s more progressive system relied on Ruiz’s vision and press-resistant passing to link play between defense and attack.[8]

Ruiz' impact with Tijuana was modest. Over two years with Xolos, he made 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Notably, he scored his first goal for Tijuana on 25 February 2022, opening the scoring with a deflected shot in a 2–0 victory over reigning champions Atlas – a goal that also marked his first in Liga MX as a Xolos player.[9] Despite some opportunities in the starting lineup, Ruiz’s overall contributions remained limited, and he did not replicate the prolific form of his early Querétaro days.[10] By the Clausura 2021, he was struggling to secure playing time, featuring only 46 minutes in the first three matches, and he acknowledged the need to improve to earn a spot in the starting XI under coach Guede.[11]

Toluca

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In June 2022, Ruiz joined Toluca in an exchange that saw Alexis Canelo join Tijuana.[12] Coach Ignacio Ambríz had specifically requested Ruiz as part of an ambitious squad rebuild for the Apertura 2022, seeing the young midfielder as a key reinforcement.[13] The transfer was viewed as a fresh start for Ruiz after a challenging spell in Tijuana, and it indeed preceded a resurgence in his form with Toluca in subsequent seasons.He became a central figure in Toluca's midfield and later played an important role in one of the club's most successful periods.[10]

Ruiz helped Toluca win the Clausura 2025 championship after defeating América in the finals with an aggregate score of 2–0, their first title in 15 years.[14] Toluca followed that title by winning the 2025 Campeón de Campeones against América and the 2025 Campeones Cup against LA Galaxy. During the Apertura 2025 season, Ruíz was designated as Toluca’s vice-captain, regularly assuming the armband in matches when Alexis Vega was not on the field.[15] He helped Toluca win a second consecutive league title in the Apertura 2025, defeating Tigres UANL on penalties in the final.[16]

On 13 March 2026, Toluca announced that Ruiz had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury and a medial meniscus injury in his right knee during the first leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 against San Diego FC, and that he was expected to undergo surgery.[17] After further medical evaluations and consultations with specialists, later reports described the injury as a partial ACL tear, with Ruiz and Toluca opting for conservative treatment in an attempt to keep alive his hopes of making Mexico’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[18][19] He returned to action on 15 April, coming off the bench in Toluca’s 3–0 win over LA Galaxy in the second leg of the quarter-finals.[20] He continued playing for Toluca during the club's CONCACAF Champions Cup run, but after Toluca defeated Tigres in the final on 30 May, manager Antonio Mohamed stated that Ruiz had played through discomfort, had received an injection at half-time, and would need to undergo surgery.[21]

International career

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Youth

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Ruiz was called up by Diego Ramírez to the under-20 team to participate in a training camp ahead of the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and matches against Brazil and Japan.[22] However, he did not make the final tournament squad, and ultimately earned only two caps at the under-20 level.

Ruiz was called up by Jaime Lozano to participate with the under-22 team at the 2019 Toulon Tournament,[23] where Mexico finished in third.[24] He was called up by Lozano again to participate at the 2019 Pan American Games,[25] with Mexico winning the third-place match.[26]

Senior

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In March 2023, Ruiz was called up by manager Diego Cocca for the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League,[27] and made his senior national team debut on 23 March 2023, in a 2–0 victory against Suriname.

Prior to that first senior call‑up, a rumor circulated widely in Guatemalan sports outlets during March 2022 suggesting that Ruiz possessed Guatemalan ancestry and was being evaluated by coach Luis Fernando Tena for a potential switch of allegiance.[28][29] The National Football Federation of Guatemala issued a brief clarification that no eligibility process had been initiated, and Ruiz himself denied the story in multiple interviews, noting that his family background is Mexican with Cuban roots.[30]

By March 2026, Ruiz had established himself as a regular under coach Javier Aguirre and had started all three of Mexico’s matches in 2026 before suffering a knee injury, which came amid a wider injury crisis that also included Luis Ángel Malagón.[31] Although Ruiz pursued a non-surgical recovery path and returned to club action in hopes of making the World Cup, he was omitted from Aguirre’s initial Liga MX-based squad for Mexico’s World Cup training camp, announced on 28 April 2026.[32]

Style of play

[edit]

Ruíz has cited Andrés Iniesta and the Barcelona side of Pep Guardiola as formative influences, describing their tiki-taka era of 2008–2012, particularly the 2010–11 team, as "the best team in history." This admiration for Barcelona’s possession-based style has shaped his own preference for composure, short passing, and spatial awareness in midfield.[2]

Ruíz primarily plays as a central or defensive midfielder.[33] He contributes defensively and distributes the ball from midfield.[34] His passing accuracy has been reported at over 85 per cent, averaging approximately 50 passes per match.[36] He can also play in more advanced positions.[39]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 13 May 2024[33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Querétaro 2018–19 Liga MX 28270——352
2019–20 21440——254
Total 496110——606
Tijuana 2019–20 Liga MX —10——10
2020–21 230———230
2021–22 262———262
Total 49210——502
Toluca 2022–23 Liga MX 405———405
2023–24 332—2[a]04[b]2394
2024–25 00———00
Total 737—2042799
Career total 17115120204218917
  1. ↑ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

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As of match played 25 February 2026[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Mexico 202310
2025130
202630
Total170

Honours

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Toluca

Mexico U23

Mexico

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Consideran a Marcel la primera joya de la veta queretana". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 24 August 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 FUTBOL CHAMPAGNE PODCAST (30 July 2025). ENTREVISTA CON: MARCEL RUIZ!! CAMPEONATO 🏆, SELECCIÓN 🇲🇽 Y RUMORES 🤫 - FUTBOL CHAMPAGNE 19. Retrieved 30 September 2025 – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ TolucaFC (18 October 2022). Casillero del Diablo: Marcel Ruiz. Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ "Queretaro's Marcel Ruiz, 17, becomes youngest scorer of Liga MX season". ESPN. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "El yucateco Marcel Ruiz, a la selección nacional Sub 20". Arrobadeportes.com. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Xolos de Tijuana announce a plethora of talented signings". vivaligamx.com. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Tijuana aprovecha su último vínculo con Querétaro para reforzase de cara al Guard1anes 2020". ESPN.com.gt (in Spanish). 18 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Left Back Football". Left Back Football. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  9. ↑ "Xolos gana el duelo rojinegro". Sitio Oficial del Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  10. 1 2 Total, Futbol (22 January 2023). "Toluca, el equipo con el que Marcel Ruíz renació su carrera". Futbol Total: Un juego auténtico lleno de nobleza y emoción. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "Marcel Ruiz lanza guiño a Chivas y América". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "Toluca: Oficializó el fichaje de Marcel Ruiz y debutó con gol en amistoso". www.record.com.mx (in Spanish). 22 June 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  13. ↑ "Toluca quiere a Marcel Ruiz y ofrece un intercambio de jugadores a Xolos que incluye a su capitán Alexis Canelo | TUDN Liga MX | TUDN". www.tudn.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "Toluca 2-0 América (May 25, 2025) Game Analysis - ESPN". Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Alexis Vega Sits Out Toluca vs Pumas Clash". www.footboom1.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  16. ↑ "Toluca es bicampeón de Liga MX tras vencer a Tigres en la Final del Apertura 2025 | TUDN Liga MX | TUDN". www.tudn.com (in Spanish). 14 December 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Comunicado sobre Marcel Ruiz". www.tolucafc.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  18. ↑ Villa, Adriana Maldonado | Fernando (4 April 2026). "Marcel Ruiz confirma ruptura parcial de ligamento, seguirá tratamiento". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Mexico Star Midfielder Still Set on World Cup Despite Tearing ACL—Report". SI. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  20. ↑ Cardenas, Felipe (22 April 2026). "Mexico's Marcel Ruiz is ready to risk it all on the World Cup, ACL injury be damned". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  21. ↑ Colin, Eduardo Cristobal (30 May 2026). "¡Adiós al Mundial! Mohamed confirma que Marcel Ruíz será operado". Excélsior (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "Queretaro's Ruiz, 17, finds self in sudden spotlight". ESPN.com. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  23. ↑ "Convocatoria Final de la SNM Sub 22 Para el Torneo Maurice Revello" (in Spanish). Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación, A.C. 23 May 2019.
  24. ↑ "Mexico clinch third place in 2019 Toulon Tournament after win on penalty kicks". Fmfstateofmind.com. 15 June 2019.
  25. ↑ "Football Men – Mexico Team Roster" (PDF). Lima 2019. 29 July 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  26. ↑ "México rescató el Bronce en Panamericanos tras vencer a Uruguay con muchos apuros".
  27. ↑ "Diego Cocca's first NT roster announced". fmfstateofmind.com. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Marcel Ruiz no es elegible para Selección de Guatemala: "No hay forma, nada es cierto"". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  29. ↑ Mediotiempo, Editorial (15 July 2025). "Marcel Ruiz, en la mira de Luis Fernando Tena para jugar con Guatemala". Mediotiempo (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  30. ↑ "Marcel Ruíz sobre jugar en selección guatemalteca: "No es cierto, no sé quién inventó eso"". www.record.com.mx (in Spanish). 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  31. ↑ Mancera, Diego (13 March 2026). [elpais.com/mexico/2026-03-14/mexico-pierde-a-marcel-ruiz-el-cerebro-del-equipo-para-el-mundial.html "México pierde a Marcel Ruiz, el cerebro del equipo para el Mundial"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  32. ↑ "Mexico unveil 12-man domestic-based squad for World Cup training camp". Reuters.
  33. ↑ Marcel Ruiz at Soccerway
  34. ↑ Marcel Ruiz at National-Football-Teams.com
  35. ↑ "United States 1-2 Mexico: Mauricio Pochettino's side beaten in Gold Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  36. ↑ "Liga MX 2025: América es ninguneado en el once ideal del Clausura 2025; Toluca suma 6 jugadores | MARCA México". www.marca.com. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  37. ↑ "2025 LIGA MX All-Star Team Roster | MLSSoccer.com". www.mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  38. ↑ "Lista de ganadores del Balón de Oro de la Liga MX 2025-2026".
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