Back in Bernabeu, the young Ruben de la Red has been working to improve his versatility and add value to Real Madrid.
Ruben de la Red is an exciting young playmaker who is now back at Real Madrid but alerted the world to his potential during a spell with Getafe. He broke into the Spanish national team this year and was a member of the triumphant Euro 2008 squad.
De la Red was linked with a number of other clubs in the summer but is now establishing himself back at the Bernabeu. He faces stiff competition for places but can also play as a defensive midfielder. Born and raised in Madrid, De la Red came to Real’s attention as a teenager. He came through their youth system and Under-20s coach Quique Sanchez Flores, when offered a job by Getafe, tried to take him with him.
De la Red stayed to try to prove himself at Real and broke into the first team at the age of 19 in 2004, playing in a Copa del Rey match against Tenerife. Yet he had to wait another year for his Spanish Primera Liga and UEFA Champions League debuts and, with no immediate prospect of regular first-team action, he spent most of his time with the Real Madrid ‘B’ side, Castilla.
Despite playing in Spain’s Under-21 team, and previously winning the European Under-19 Championship in 2004, by the summer of 2007 De la Red had still not established himself at the Bernabeu. It was then that he was sent out to join Getafe, with Madrid having the option to buy him back after one year.
It proved an excellent move. De la Red, who had not started a league match for Real, was given more responsibility and enjoyed a fruitful campaign. He made 26 starts and helped Getafe to the final of the Copa del Rey and the last eight of the UEFA Cup.
His performances earned him a place in the Spanish squad for Euro 2008. At the time of selection he was uncapped but was given substitute run-outs in the warm-up friendlies against Peru and the USA. He went on to feature just once in the tournament, in a group match against Greece, but his involvement in the squad as Spain went on to triumph nevertheless enhanced his career. Real coach Bernd Schuster decided he wanted him back and he immediately started well on his return, scoring in the second leg of their Supercup win over Valencia.
Even though he has now proved his ability to perform at the highest level following his stint with Getafe, De la Red still faces a battle to win a regular place at Real. Rafael van der Vaart, Guti, Fernando Gago and Wesley Sneijder all provide competition for places in the multi-talented squad. As a result he has been forced to work on the defensive side of his game to try to improve his versatility and value to the club.
He insists this does not bother him. “I only care about playing, I don’t care how,” says De la Red.
“I’ve played as a defensive midfielder before and managed to help the team. I want to help the team and I will try to do my best in that position if that’s where the coach wants me to play.”
Ever since he returned to the Bernabeu, De la Red has been linked with swap deals as Real chase other targets. But with the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa mentioned in recent weeks, there will be no shortage of offers if he does feel the need to move on.
De la Red and his girlfriend Tanya had a baby over the summer, Oliver. When Tanya was pregnant last season, De la Red dedicated his goals for Getafe to Tanya and the unborn child. Now that he is back at Real Madrid, De la Red has taken possession of an Audi, courtesy of the club’s sponsorship arrangement with the German automobile manufacturer. Predictably the sportiest models were the most popular choice among the players with many opting for the R8. The more family-orientated Q7 was also a common selection.
FACTFILEName: Ruben de la RedPosition: MidfielderClub: Real MadridD.O.B.: 28/01/1986Spain caps: 3Spain goals: 1Spain debut: v Peru, May 2008Moment to rememberDe la Red was finally given a chance in Euro 2008 during Spain’s third group game against Greece in Salzburg, when progress to the knock-out stages had already been assured. He made sure he took his chance, striking a thunderous equaliser with a shot that bounced down off the bar as Spain came from behind to win 2-1.
Moment to forgetGetafe’s UEFA Cup campaign ended in misery last season as Bayern Munich hit back from 3-1 down in extra-time of their quarterfinal to draw 3-3 and progress on the away goals rule. The Spanish side had also played most of the game with just 10 men after De la Red was sent off in the sixth minute of normal time for bringing down Miroslav Klose.
© PA Sport, 2008, All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, re-written, re-distributed or commercially exploited. Sportstar is not responsible for any inaccuracy in the material.
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