Jesús Rubio (footballer, born 1996)


Jesús Everardo Rubio Quintero, more commonly known as Ever Rubio is a professional Mexican footballer. He currently plays for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship. A physically strong, aggressive, and versatile defender, although he is usually deployed as a centre-back, he is also capable of playing as a left-back, both in a three or four-man defence.
At club level, Rubio began his career with Murcielagos F.C. in 2015 in the Ascenso MX, also later playing for Murcielagos and Pacific F.C. in Liga Premier de México, before moving to Tacoma Defiance in 2019.

Club career

Deportivo Guamuchil

Rubio joined the youth teams of Deportivo Guamuchil F.C. as a child before earning first team call-ups for the 2011–12 Tercera División de México season at just 16 year old.

Murcielagos

Rubio was eventually signed by Murcielagos in 2014 playing in Liga Premier. With the team moving up to Ascenso MX in 2015, he began playing regularly at only 19 year old, mostly as defensive minded left-back. During his time at Murcielagos, he also spent part of the 2017–18 season on loan at Pacific F.C. due to the on-going financial struggles of Murcielagos which eventually resulted into their relegation back to Liga Premier.

Tacoma Defiance

After playing the 2018–19 season as captain of Murcielagos, with 28 appearances and 5 goals, Rubio was signed by Tacoma Defiance in the summer 2019 for the remaining part of the 2019 USL Championship season.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Rubio joined USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in January 2020.

Style of play

Rubio began his professional career as a defensive-minded left-back, but later made his name as an aggressive, courageous, physical, and hard-tackling centre-back, with a penchant for scoring headers from set-pieces, due to his aerial prowess and strength. A versatile, consistent, commanding, and dependable left-footed defender, with good awareness, positional sense, and an ability to read the game, he is capable of playing both in a three or four-man defence. A hard-working player, he is also known for his ability to cover ground and put pressure on or anticipate opponents in positions higher up on the pitch. Due to his tenacious, no-nonsense playing style, Rubio can be described as an "old-fashioned" centre-back, who primarily serves as a ball-winner; his physicality and aggression as a defender, have earned him the nickname "Mexican Chiellini", in honor of Italian left footer centre-back Giorgio Chiellini. A mobile defender, he possesses good vision and reliable distribution, which allows him to play the ball out or launch attacks from the back after winning back possession. Moreover, he possesses a strong mentality, good temperament under pressure, determination, and excellent concentration.

Personal life

Rubio was born and raised in the small town of Mocorito in the state of Sinaloa. He is married with one child. Rubio is also an avid guitar player and songwriter of Regional Mexican corrido music in his spare time.