Marco Ruben
A classic Argentine center-forward whose predatory instincts and aerial power made him a beloved figure at clubs across Europe and South America.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Argentine footballer·Birthday: October 26·Millennials
Biography
Born in Buenos Aires, Marco Ruben's football journey is a testament to the classic number nine's enduring value. Emerging from River Plate's youth system, his career took him across the Atlantic, where he carved out a respectable European chapter in Ukraine with Dynamo Kyiv and Dnipro, and later in Spain with Villarreal. While never a global superstar, Ruben built a reputation as a reliable, physically imposing striker with a knack for being in the right place. His true legacy, however, was cemented upon his return to Argentina. A prolific stint with Rosario Central transformed him into a cult hero, where his goal-scoring prowess and emotional connection with the fans embodied the spirit of the domestic game. His career arc—from youthful prospect to seasoned journeyman to beloved veteran—paints a vivid picture of a footballer who found his greatest fulfillment in the colors of his homeland.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Marco was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Marco Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Marco's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Ukrainian Premier League and Ukrainian Cup double with Dynamo Kyiv in the 2006–07 season.
- Finished as the Argentine Primera División's top scorer in the 2015 Transición tournament while playing for Rosario Central.
- Scored over 100 official career goals for Rosario Central across multiple spells, becoming a club icon.
- Earned a call-up to the Argentina national team in 2011, making his debut in a friendly against Poland.
Did You Know?
He holds a Ukrainian passport, acquired during his time playing in the country.
His father, Oscar Ruben, was also a professional footballer who played as a defender.
He scored a hat-trick for Villarreal in a UEFA Europa League match against Napoli in 2011.
“A striker's job is simple: be in the right place when the ball arrives.”
