1. Overview
Alexis Ruano Delgado (born August 4, 1985), widely known as Alexis, is a former Spanish professional footballer who primarily played as a central defender. He was also versatile, capable of operating as a full-back on either the right or left side of the defense. Over a 15-season career, Alexis amassed 321 appearances and scored 17 goals in La Liga, representing prominent clubs such as Málaga CF, Getafe CF (across two spells), Valencia CF, Sevilla FC, and Deportivo Alavés. His career also included professional stints in Turkey with Beşiktaş J.K. and Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli Saudi FC. Internationally, Alexis represented Spain at various youth levels, including the U-17, U-19, U-20, and U-21 teams, notably winning the 2004 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and finishing as a runner-up in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He was recognized for his defensive solidity and contributions to his teams, earning individual honors like the La Liga Breakthrough Player award in 2006-07. His career, however, also included periods of injury and some controversial incidents, including allegations of match fixing.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
Alexis Ruano Delgado was born on August 4, 1985, in Málaga, Spain. His football journey began in the youth academy of his hometown club, Málaga CF. From 2001 to 2004, he honed his skills with Atlético Malagueño, the club's reserve team, where he made 50 appearances. He gradually progressed through the ranks, spending three years at the club and alternating between the first team and the second team. His senior team debut for Málaga CF occurred on February 15, 2004, in a La Liga match against RCD Espanyol, a game Málaga won 5-2 at home, with Alexis playing for eight minutes.
3. Club Career
Alexis Ruano Delgado's professional club career spanned multiple teams across Spain and included spells in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, marked by transfers, notable performances, and various challenges.
3.1. Málaga CF and Getafe CF (First Stint)
After three years with Málaga CF, where he developed as a player, Alexis transferred to Getafe CF for the 2006-07 La Liga season. The transfer fee was 2.50 M EUR. At Getafe, he quickly made an impact, scoring the winning goal against Real Madrid in a 1-0 home victory on October 14, 2006. That season, Getafe's defense, with Alexis as a key component, was recognized as the best in the league, conceding only 33 goals in 38 games. His impressive performances at Getafe attracted the attention of several major European clubs, including AC Milan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona. During this first stint at Getafe, he made 24 appearances and scored 2 goals.
3.2. Valencia CF
In April 2007, Valencia CF secured Alexis's signature for 6.50 M EUR, with the deal running until 2013 at the Mestalla Stadium, outcompeting Real Madrid for his services. His first season with Valencia, 2007-08 La Liga, was largely hampered by a severe knee injury that kept him sidelined for most of the campaign. However, he returned to help the team win the 2007-08 Copa del Rey. In the final, Valencia defeated his former club Getafe 3-1, with Alexis scoring the second goal after Juan Mata had opened the scoring, contributing to Valencia's seventh Copa del Rey title in nine years.
For the 2008-09 La Liga season, Alexis began as a central defensive partner to Raúl Albiol. He netted a goal in a 2-2 away draw against UD Almería on September 14, 2008, but later suffered from a pubalgia ailment, leading to a two-month absence. In the 2009-10 La Liga season, following Albiol's departure to Real Madrid, Alexis primarily partnered with Ángel Dealbert. He played 24 matches, contributing to Valencia's third-place finish in La Liga, which secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League. A pivotal moment occurred in the season's final match against CD Tenerife, where Alexis scored a last-minute winner in a 1-0 victory. This goal not only decided Tenerife's relegation to the Segunda División but also effectively saved his former club Málaga CF from suffering the same fate. Throughout his time at Valencia, Alexis made 62 appearances and scored 2 goals.
3.3. Sevilla FC and Getafe CF (Second Stint)
On August 24, 2010, Alexis transferred to Sevilla FC for a fee of 5.00 M EUR, signing a six-year contract. He was brought in as a replacement for Sébastien Squillaci, who had moved to Arsenal. In his first year, 2010-11 La Liga, he made 21 league appearances out of 26 total official matches, as Sevilla finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. However, in the latter half of the season, his position was often taken by Federico Fazio.
The 2011-12 La Liga season saw his situation worsen with the arrival of Emir Spahić, reducing his playing opportunities. Despite this, he scored an 86th-minute header in his first game of the season, salvaging a point for Sevilla in a 2-2 away draw against Villarreal CF. He became the fourth or fifth-choice defender under new manager Marcelino García Toral. In late February 2012, despite the winter transfer window having closed, Alexis was allowed to join his former club Getafe on loan until the end of the season, as the Madrid-based side was facing a severe injury crisis in their defensive sector. This loan move was subsequently extended for the entire 2012-13 La Liga season.
In the summer of 2013, Alexis made his move to Getafe permanent, agreeing to a four-year deal. He continued to be an undisputed starter when fit, but frequently missed games due to suspensions, notably receiving yellow cards for verbal offenses. During his spell at Sevilla, he played 22 matches and scored 1 goal. In his second stint with Getafe, including the loan period and permanent transfer, he recorded 38 appearances and 4 goals during the loan and an additional 73 appearances and 2 goals after his permanent move.
3.4. Beşiktaş J.K.
On January 21, 2016, at the age of 30, Alexis ventured abroad for the first time in his career, joining Beşiktaş J.K. in the Turkish Süper Lig for a transfer fee of 2.00 M EUR. He made 10 appearances and scored 1 goal during his time there. However, his performance came under scrutiny, particularly after a 3-3 away draw against Akhisar Belediyespor on April 23, 2016. His poor play in that match led to significant criticism and even accusations of match fixing from fans and media, causing an uproar among Beşiktaş supporters regarding his and teammate Tolga Zengin's performances.
3.5. Deportivo Alavés
Alexis returned to Spain and its top tier on July 29, 2016, signing with newly promoted club Deportivo Alavés. He was noted for his aerial play, which bolstered Alavés's defense. In his first season, 2016-17 La Liga, he scored twice in 24 appearances, contributing to the team's eventual ninth-place finish. Overall, during his tenure with Deportivo Alavés, he accumulated 52 appearances and 3 goals.
3.6. Later Years and Retirement
On June 22, 2018, Alexis once again moved abroad, joining Al-Ahli in the Saudi Professional League on a two-year contract. He played 8 matches for the Saudi club without scoring a goal. His time in Saudi Arabia was brief, as he returned to Spain on August 7, 2019, agreeing to a two-year deal with Racing de Santander, a side newly promoted to the Segunda División. He made 20 appearances for Racing de Santander, again without scoring. Alexis subsequently retired from professional football.
4. International Career
Alexis represented Spain at various youth international levels, demonstrating his talent from a young age.
He was part of the Spain U-17 team from 2001 to 2003, making 18 appearances. From 2002 to 2004, he played for the Spain U-19 squad, earning 11 caps. During this period, he played alongside future senior international Sergio Ramos and achieved significant success, winning the 2004 UEFA European Under-19 Championship held in Switzerland, where Spain defeated the U-19 Turkish team in the final.
Alexis also featured for the Spain U-20 team from 2002 to 2005, making 8 appearances. He participated in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, where Spain reached the final but finished as runner-up, having defeated teams like Canada U-20 and Colombia U-20. He also played in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands, where the team, bolstered by the contributions of players such as Fernando Llorente and David Silva, reached the quarter-finals. From 2004 to 2006, Alexis made 3 appearances for the Spain U-21 team.
5. Playing Style
Alexis Ruano Delgado was primarily known for his role as a central defender. He was characterized by his strong defensive attributes, demonstrating solidity and reliability in the heart of the defense. Standing at 72 in (183 cm) and weighing 168 lb (76 kg), he was known for his physical presence and strong aerial play, making him effective in winning headers and defending against crosses. In addition to his main position, Alexis displayed considerable versatility, capable of filling in as a full-back on both the right and left sides of the defensive line during his time at clubs like Málaga CF, which further showcased his adaptability on the field. He was right-footed.
6. Honours
Alexis Ruano Delgado accumulated several significant team and individual honours throughout his career.
6.1. Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Getafe CF | Copa del Rey runner-up | 2006-07 |
| Valencia CF | Copa del Rey | 2007-08 |
| Beşiktaş J.K. | Süper Lig | 2015-16 |
| Deportivo Alavés | Copa del Rey runner-up | 2016-17 |
6.2. International Honours
| Team | Competition | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Spain U-19 | UEFA European Under-19 Championship | 2004 |
| Spain U-20 | FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up | 2003 |
6.3. Individual Honours
- Don Balón Award: La Liga Breakthrough Player (2006-07)
7. Controversies
During his career, Alexis Ruano Delgado was involved in a few controversial incidents. One notable accusation arose during his time with Beşiktaş J.K. in the Turkish Süper Lig. Following a match on April 23, 2016, where Beşiktaş drew 3-3 away against Akhisar Belediyespor, Alexis's performance was severely criticized. This led to accusations from some fans and media outlets regarding potential match fixing, suggesting his poor play might have been intentional. These allegations caused significant outrage among Beşiktaş supporters, who expressed their anger towards Alexis and goalkeeper Tolga Zengin.
Additionally, during his second spell at Getafe CF, Alexis reportedly missed several games due to disciplinary reasons, specifically accumulating suspensions for yellow cards received as a result of his verbal conduct during matches.
8. Legacy and Evaluation
Alexis Ruano Delgado's football career is marked by his consistency as a reliable central defender over a long period in La Liga and his versatility across the defensive line. His contributions to the teams he played for were significant at various points. At Getafe CF, he was instrumental in developing one of the league's best defenses during his first spell, and he played a key role in their run to the Copa del Rey final. His tenure at Valencia CF included winning the 2007-08 Copa del Rey, where he scored a crucial goal in the final. He also famously scored a last-minute goal that saved Málaga CF from relegation while condemning CD Tenerife, highlighting his impact in critical moments.
While generally regarded for his defensive solidity and aerial ability, his career also faced scrutiny, particularly during his time at Beşiktaş J.K., where he was subject to allegations of match-fixing following a poor performance. Furthermore, his disciplinary record, including suspensions for verbal offenses at Getafe, indicated occasional issues with his on-field conduct. Despite these criticisms, Alexis's career demonstrated a long-standing commitment to professional football, with a notable number of appearances at the highest level of Spanish football and a significant impact on several clubs' defensive stability and achievements.