Javi Rueda

Javi Rueda
Personal information
Full name Javier Rueda García
Date of birth (2002-05-08) 8 May 2002 (age 24)
Place of birth Alozaina, Spain
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position Right-back
Team information
Current team
Celta
Number 17
Youth career
2007–2013 Alozaina
2013–2015 Puerto Malagueño
2015–2016 Málaga
2016–2017 San Félix
2017–2018 Málaga
2018–2021 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Real Madrid B 0 (0)
2021–2022 → SS Reyes (loan) 28 (2)
2022–2023 → Murcia (loan) 28 (2)
2023–2024 Celta B 30 (2)
2024– Celta 27 (2)
2024–2025 → Albacete (loan) 31 (3)
International career
2019 Spain U17 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 27 May 2026

Javier "Javi" Rueda García (born 8 May 2002) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for La Liga club Celta de Vigo.

Club career

Rueda was born in Alozaina, Málaga, Andalusia, and joined Real Madrid's La Fábrica in 2018, after representing Málaga CF, Puerto Malagueño CF and EF Alozaina. On 13 August 2021, after finishing his formation, he was loaned to Primera División RFEF side UD San Sebastián de los Reyes for the season.

Rueda made his senior debut on 29 August 2021, starting in a 1–0 home win over Extremadura UD, and scored his first goal on 31 October, netting the opener in a 3–2 loss at CD Calahorra. The following 29 July, after being a regular starter, he moved to fellow league team Real Murcia CF also in a temporary deal.

On 21 July 2023, Rueda signed a four-year contract with RC Celta de Vigo, being initially assigned to the reserves also in the third division. He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 26 May 2024, coming on as a second-half substitute for Kevin Vázquez in a 2–2 home draw against Valencia CF.

On 7 August 2024, Rueda was loaned to Segunda División side Albacete Balompié for the entire 2024–25 campaign. He scored his first professional goal on 21 September, netting his team's third in a 4–1 away routing of Racing de Ferrol.

Career statistics

As of match played 23 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid B 2021–22 Primera Federación 00———00
SS Reyes (loan) Primera Federación 27220——292
Murcia (loan) 2022–23 Primera Federación 28200——282
Celta B 2023–24 Primera Federación 302——20322
Celta 2023–24 La Liga 10———10
2025–26 La Liga 26210112—384
Total 27210112—394
Albacete (loan) 2024–25 Segunda División 31400——314
Career total 14312301122015914