| Luis Rubiales Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Date of Birth | August 23, 1977 |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Eye Color | Green |
Luis Rubiales is a Spanish football official and former professional football player who had formerly served as the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) (2018-2023) and, as of 2023, was among one of UEFA‘s vice presidents. In August 2023, he became the center of a huge controversy when he was seen kissing the Spanish midfielder Jennifer Hermoso without her consent during the award ceremony following her team’s win at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In October 2023, he was banned by FIFA from all football-related activities for 3 years due to a kissing scandal.
Born Name
Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar
Nick Name
Luis
Sun Sign
Virgo
Born Place
Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
Nationality
Occupation
Former Professional Football Player, Spanish Football Official
Family
- Father – Luis Manuel Rubiales Lopez (Primary School Teacher)
- Mother – Ángeles Béjar (Hairdresser)
Position
Defender
Shirt Number
17 – Levante
Build
Athletic
Height
5 ft 11 in or 180.5 cm
Weight
72 kg or 158.5 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Luis has dated –
- Manuela Delicado Vega – He was previously married to a lawyer named Manuela Delicado Vega. The couple welcomed 3 daughters together, but sadly, their marriage ended in divorce. Luis and his ex-wife have reportedly been on good terms post their divorce.
Race / Ethnicity
Hispanic
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Green
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Chin dimple
- He sports a bald look.
Luis Rubiales Facts
- From 1997 until 2009, he played football as a defender for lower division clubs such as Xerez, Guadix, Alicante, Hamilton Academical or The Accies, Mallorca B, and a few others.
- Luis served as the president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) from March 2010 until November 2017.
- On August 20, 2023, he made headlines all over the world for unceremoniously kissing the midfielder Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the medal presentation ceremony at the Stadium Australia in Sydney. Furthermore, his s**ist behavior even extended to the locker room where he put his arm around Hermoso and said, “There, we will celebrate the wedding of Jenni and Luis Rubiales” in Ibiza. This unfortunate incident eclipsed the team’s historic 1-0 win over England which helped them win their maiden World Cup trophy at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- His inappropriate behavior drew global outrage and there were immediate calls for his resignation. However, Rubiales was defiant about staying in his job, calling his treatment a “social assassination” and “manhunt” during his speech at the Extraordinary General Assembly a few days later on August 25, 2023. That same day, 81 players (including 23 players from the championship-winning squad) announced in a joint statement that they would boycott the national team until Rubiales was removed from his leadership position at RFEF. In the end, he was suspended by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for 90 days on August 26, 2023.
- During the same 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final match on August 20, 2023, he was seen grabbing his cr*tch in full view while celebrating his country’s victory over England. Luis was also standing in close proximity to Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter, Infanta Sofía. He later apologized for his behavior stating that he got carried away ‘in a moment of euphoria’. But, his behavior was condemned by the American footballer Megan Rapinoe as well as the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez.
- In September 2023, it was revealed that he had resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation.
Featured Image by Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain / La Moncloa
