![]() Carlos in 1977 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Carlos Ruiz Herrero | ||
Date of birth | 7 June 1948 | ||
Place of birth | Bilbao, Spain | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1968–1969 | Getxo | ||
1969–1970 | Bilbao Athletic | 25 | (8) |
1970–1981 | Athletic Bilbao | 213 | (81) |
1981–1982 | Español | 21 | (2) |
Total | 259 | (91) | |
International career | |||
1977 | Spain U21 | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Carlos Ruiz Herrero (born 7 June 1948), known simply as Carlos, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a forward.
He spent 11 seasons in La Liga with Athletic Bilbao, appearing in 275 competitive games and scoring 115 goals. [1]
Born in Bilbao, Biscay, the third of ten sons in a large family, [2] Carlos played 11 seasons with Athletic Bilbao [3] plus one with the reserves, having been signed in 1969 from Basque neighbours CD Getxo. [2] On 12 September 1970 he made his debut for the first team, playing the dying minutes of the 1–1 home draw against FC Barcelona. [4]
Carlos continued to be used regularly by the club in the following years, but he also had to deal with several injuries. [4] He helped the Lions to the final of the Copa del Rey in 1973 and 1977; in the former edition, he came on as a late substitute for Antón Arieta in the 2–0 win over CD Castellón. [5] He scored ten times during the latter, [6] [7] [8] [9] including once in the penalty shootout loss to Real Betis in the decisive match (2–2 after 120 minutes) in Madrid. [10]
In the 1974–75 season, Carlos scored a career-best 19 goals in 32 games for a tenth place in La Liga, winning the Pichichi Trophy in the process. [11] [2] On 18 May 1977, he put his side 2–1 up at home against Juventus F.C. in the final of the UEFA Cup – his last of five during their continental run – but the Italians won the trophy on the away goals rule. [12]
Carlos still enjoyed two seasons in double digits until he left Athletic, including 1977–78 with 16 goals. He retired from the game in summer 1982 at the age of 34 after a spell with RCD Español, [2] amassing top-flight totals of 234 appearances and 83 goals. [4]
Carlos was never capped by Spain at senior level, but did play for the under-21 side once, in a match against Yugoslavia at Elche's Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. [13] [4]
Having studied medicine at the University of Bilbao at Leioa (later part of the University of the Basque Country) during his playing career, Ruiz subsequently went into practice as a doctor specialising in the treatment of athletes. [2] He performed roles assisting various sports teams, including basketball club CB Cajabilbao and the Spanish national squads in handball and women's football. [2]
In 2011, Ruiz was part of the team behind the unsuccessful campaign of Fernando García Macua to be re-elected as president of Athletic Bilbao. [2]
Athletic Bilbao
Individual
Julen Guerrero López is a Spanish former professional footballer who played solely for Athletic Bilbao as an attacking midfielder. He is the current manager of the Spain national under-17 team.
Joseba Andoni Etxeberria Lizardi is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played mostly as a winger, currently the manager of SD Eibar.
Carlos Gurpegui Nausia is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a central defender or defensive midfielder. He is the manager of CD Basconia.
Daniel Ruiz-Bazán Justa, commonly known as Dani, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a striker.
Raúl García Escudero is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao mainly as an attacking midfielder or second striker.
Gorka Iraizoz Moreno is a Spanish former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
José Ángel 'Cuco' Ziganda Lakunza is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a centre-forward. He is the current manager of SD Huesca.
Aritz Aduriz Zubeldia is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a striker.
Mario Bermejo Castanedo is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a striker.
Manuel 'Manu' Sarabia López is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a striker.
Jon Andoni Pérez Alonso, known as Bolo, is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a centre-forward. He is the current manager of Burgos CF.
Fidel Uriarte Macho was a Spanish footballer who played as a striker.
Rafael Iriondo Aurtenetxea was a Spanish football forward and manager.
Ángel María Villar Llona is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
José Francisco 'Txetxu' Rojo Arroitia, also known as Rojo I, was a Spanish football player and manager.
José María Lasa Ibarguren is a Spanish former footballer who played mainly as a right-back.
José Luis Artetxe Muguire was a Spanish footballer who played as a striker.
Fernando Tirapu Arteta was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender or midfielder.
José María Amorrortu Prieto is a Spanish former football forward and manager.
José Ángel Rojo Arroitia is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.