Bryan Ruiz, considered by many the Costa Rican footballer of higher quality of those who play abroad, things do not always you have been easy. Agile and dynamic, attacking midfielder who currently plays for Fulham London, is touring a bumpy road to stardom.
"Adaptation to the English Premier League, the best League in the world, with the best players in the world, has been complicated," said Ruiz, 26 years, FIFA last month of April, a day before a foot injury put an end prematurely to his first season in the demanding and rugged English football.
Ruiz, nicknamed "The weasel" by his elusive dribbling and his unpredictability on the Court, has cost him get accustomed to the fast and physical game played in England. He stands out for his talent and creativity, so that sometimes it looks like a flower trampled in the field of Craven Cottage. "I like having the ball, combine with other players." "I am not a hoarder, if I see a colleague in a position better than mine, I give him the ball," explains with soft-spoken bolting Costa Rican, who feels comfortable acting behind the centre-forward or in any of the two ends.
Abandoned by his father when he was a child, Ruiz was raised in a poor neighborhood of the capital, San Jose. He found a refuge in football, and then pointed ways.
He won the National League and the Champions League CONCACAF with the club in your city, Alajuelense, in 2005, and that same year received the call from the national team for the first time. 18-Year-old was already the great promise of the Central American football, although they would not travel with the ticos to the World Cup from the Germany FIFA 2006 ™. "It was a very difficult time for me," he recalled. "That was a real blow."
A long and unknown path
Although he could not act in that contest, the same year was presented another opportunity. He became interested in its services the Gent of the distant Belgium. "Didn't know anything about that club," admits Ruiz, laughing. "But I learned a lot there." Very few Costa Ricans had previously ventured abroad, and the way that he was unknown. But soon went on to be the top scorer of the Gent, his captain and an idol of the fans.
His next step was the Dutch first division, with an ambitious club of provinces, FC Twente in Enschede. "Has been the highlight of my career, no doubt," he stressed. In his first season in 2010, he scored 24 goals, the best record of his team, which was the first champion of the Netherlands. "The fans were delighted." "They felt great affection towards me, she knew me all over the world".
The following year, the Twente had to settle for runner-up, behind Ajax, and Ruiz experienced problems on the personal level, to divorce his wife. He also suffered his first serious injury in a knee. However, already had amply demonstrated its quality, which earned him a signing for English football. "I know that this has not been my best year" confesses Ruiz on his London Tour to date. "But the Fulham fans have been great with me, and I promise that I will do more in the next season".
The public is not the only one who has received with open arms. "I didn't know [Clint] Dempsey, although if we had crossed many times with our selections", says, referring to the American international and scorer of Fulham. "When I arrived, [Dempsey] is introduced me directly, even dared to some words in Spanish, so I I felt like at home." "It is a very good person."
Perfect understanding with Dempsey
The rapport between the two players of the CONCACAF zone was immediate, and soon bear fruit. Ruiz has had its best moments with Fulham in the role of Assistant of Dempsey, author of 23 goals in the last financial year. "We are often," said Ruiz. After the Costa Rican diese Dempsey passes his three goals in a match in the FA Cup, the tip insisted to present in front of the fans, so you share with him the applause.
It is likely that both face in the last qualifying round regional of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. Costa Rica, without the concurrence of the injured Ruiz, has begun with good foot its semifinals heading to Brazil 2014 campaign, added four points in two games. Now, with the brilliant playmaker already restored, are measured to the fearsome Mexico in two matches in early September. "We are in a difficult group, and Mexico has it all," indicates Ruiz, eager to participate in the appointment of 2014 after losing the 2006 tournament and not get the classification for South Africa 2010.
Ruiz was only 15 years old, and I was beginning even his journey in sport King, when, in 2001, Costa Rica became the first - and only time - equipment that it has expired in the preliminary competition to Mexico in his fief in the Aztec Stadium. "We do a proper game," says connection to the current national team, and points out the promising Joel Campbell, who has followed his steps in England to the signing for Arsenal, as a footballer to take into account.
"No can focus on the negative side, the Elimination of the last run-up", says with the conviction of a man accustomed to deal with adversity. "We have to be in Brazil".
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