Ruben de la Red – The Star That Faded Before It Could Shine….

By Umid Dey.

29^th June, 2008. Spain had just won the Euro 2008 – their first ever major International title since the long forgotten 1964 Euro triumph.

The players were ecstatic. Every Spaniard was celebrating. Every Spaniard was sensing a start of a Golden Era. And almost every Spaniard was expecting Ruben de la Red to be a part of it.

De la Red Kissing The Euro 2008 Trophy

De la Red himself was celebrating like a small child after getting presented with chocolates. He was proud that he was in the squad that won a major trophy after years. He may not have played a big part in it, but he scored a goal against Greece to help Spain just overcome them 2-1.

Things were looking bright for Mostoles-born man. He was returning to Real Madrid after a great season at Getafe where he helped them achieve a respectable 14^th place finish.

He had all the qualities you could ask from a central midfielder: he could tackle, had a great defensive positional sense, had a great vision, was an excellent passer, was tireless and had an eye for goal. He was a complete package.

His route to glory wasn’t such an easy one, of course. He arrived at Real’s youth academy at the age of 14. After relentless amount of hard-work and dedication, he finally got his debut with the first team on November 10, 2004.

Ruben Flying High

The talent he had was apparent and, in order to polish it, he was transferred to Getafe with a buy-back clause. Real activated the buy-back clause to bring their youth product back just after one season at Getafe.

A lot of Madridistas were thrilled by this – Madridistas love their canteranos a lot and Ruben was one of their apple-eye – even though it was reported that he would be used in a swap deal to bring in some other player. They were all looking up to him in hope that he was the man who could finally replace Claude Makelele because they knew he had the capability to do so.

But, the journey ended before it could even get started.

On 30^th October, 2008. Real Madrid took on Real Union at the Bernabeu in a Copa del Rey clash. Then the unthinkable happened; fans at the Bernabeu – and across the World – were in shock. Madridistas were in tears. Ruben de la Red collapsed on the ground, motionless, fighting for his life.

No matter how hard they try, that moment would forever stick in Madridistas’ minds.

Every second felt like an hour. Every passing second added more pain & fear in Madridistas. Every Madridista was feeling helpless – their dear one was battling death and they could do nothing but pray....

There were prayers all around; even an Atheist Madridista might have prayed to God that night for the well-being of Ruben’s health. And God listened to those prayers as it was soon revealed that Ruben was in a better condition; he had survived, he had beaten death like a true warrior he is.

Madridistas now were hoping that they could see their beloved Ruben back on the field, playing for their beloved Club. But further tests on his heart condition convinced the doctors that he could’t play Football anymore because it would be risky for his health.

And on 4^th of November, 2010, he announced his retirement from Football – Ruben’s heart broke the hearts of a lot of his fans. His heart, which had Real Madrid in it, wouldn't let him play for Real again. God doesn’t fulfill all wishes – he playing again for Real Madrid was one of them.

And Madridistas' hearts still beat for you, Ruben

"I had to retire because of a problem with my heart, but my heart still beats for Real Madrid,” an emotional Ruben de la Red told in his farewell press-conference. Ruben continued, "I want to start giving my support to all those athletes who have suffered like me, who have had their dreams cut short sooner than expected. I advise them to look ahead as I am doing.”

These words could only come out from a man who fiercely loved his Club – Ruben wore the crest of Real Madrid in his heart. His love for Real Madrid – and Football – can’t be told highly of enough; he accepted the offer of Real Madrid to continue with the Club as its youth coach.

In Ruben de la Red the player, the Football World not only lost a great player with immense talent, but also a great & classy professional who never gave less than his 100% on the field. And Madridistas lost the charm of their Club.

Oh, what a player he could have been.

This story, however, doesn’t end here. Ruben de la Red is now working with the Real Madrid youth academy and also wants a coaching degree. He might as well go on to become the manager of Real Madrid one day and fulfill his dreams which he couldn't as a player.

In almost every fairy-tale we have read in our lives, the ending has been a happy one. And here is hoping that the ending here will be the same as well.

But one thing is for sure; Ruben's heart still beats for Real Madrid, and Madridistas' hearts still beat for him.

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