Real Madrid signs up young gem until 2028: keep your eyes on him

Alberto Ruiz, a 14-year-old football prodigy born on February 9, 2011, has signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay at the Valdebebas academy until 2028. This deal follows an outstanding 2024-25 season where he scored 34 goals and provided 19 assists for the Infantil A team.

Described as a classic playmaker, Ruiz is left-footed, wears the No. 10 jersey, and combines a gluey touch with a predator's instinct in the box. He excels at dropping deep to initiate attacks and displays remarkable maturity for his age, avoiding social media to stay grounded despite growing acclaim as one of Real Madrid's brightest academy talents.

The contract represents a reaffirmation of mutual trust between Ruiz and the club, securing his future through his youth phase to allow focused development. Ruiz, already a youth international for Spain, aims to continue honing his skills without distraction, building on his impressive performances that consistently raise expectations.

Ruiz will now progress to the Cadete B team, with Real Madrid emphasizing patience in his development—a strategy mirrored by the teenager's own composed mindset. His maturity and talent have drawn high praise, including from commentator José Ramón de la Morena, who called him "the best in the world at his age" after Ruiz dominated the Futures tournament as top scorer and MVP.

Since joining Real Madrid's La Fábrica academy in 2019, Ruiz's growth has been carefully managed by academy director Manu Fernández, involving hard work and sacrifice. Until recently, his family commuted from La Solana, allowing him to train only twice weekly in Madrid to prioritize family time. His parents, Manuel and Maribel, stress supporting his enjoyment and shielding him from media pressures, viewing family as essential stability in a high-profile environment.

Ruiz's journey began with a hat-trick in a friendly against Real Madrid, arranged by La Solana's youth coordinator Moisés García, which immediately captivated the club and led to his signing. Ruiz recalls going "crazy" upon learning of Madrid's interest and maintains his dream of reaching the first team to play at the Bernabéu, with that initial friendly now seen as a pivotal blessing for the academy.