Rubén Duarte Sánchez

Club career Espanyol Born in Almería, Andalusia, Duarte joined RCD Espanyol's youth system in 2009, aged 13, after spells at Los Molinos CF and Polideportivo Ejido. In 2012, he was linked to Manchester City, and made his senior debut with the reserves in the Segunda División B.

On 7 January 2015, Duarte made his first-team debut, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 away loss against Valencia CF in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. His maiden La Liga appearance occurred on 8 February, against the same opponent and with the same scoreline, but at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat.

Duarte renewed his contract with the Catalan club on 11 June 2015, signing until 2019 and being promoted to the main squad.

Alavés On 29 May 2017, after falling down the pecking order, Duarte signed a three-year deal at Deportivo Alavés in the same league. He played 24 matches in his first season, in a 14th-place finish.

Duarte scored his first goal in the Spanish top division – and as a professional – on 16 May 2021, in a 4–2 home win over Granada CF. In July 2023, after helping to another promotion to the main tier, he renewed his contract until 2026.

On 9 July 2024, Duarte became a free agent.

Pumas Hours after leaving Alavés, Duarte moved abroad for the first time in his career, being announced at Liga MX side Pumas UNAM. He scored his first goal on 10 August 2025, through a header in the 1–1 home draw with Club Necaxa.

International career After playing for Spain at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels, Duarte was first called to the full side on 26 May 2015 for a friendly with Costa Rica and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Belarus.

Career statistics