Luis Rubiales is a former professional footballer and the current president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). He has been in charge of the RFEF since 2018, overseeing the national teams, the domestic leagues and cups, and the development of the sport in Spain. But how much is Luis Rubiales net worth? And what are the sources of his income?
How Did Luis Rubiales Start His Career?
Luis Rubiales was born on August 23, 1977, in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. He started playing football at a young age and joined the youth academy of UD Las Palmas, his hometown club. He debuted for the senior team in 1996, playing as a left-back. He spent four seasons with Las Palmas, helping them achieve promotion to La Liga in 2000.
In 2001, he moved to Levante UD, where he played for six seasons, becoming the club captain and a fan favorite. He also helped Levante reach the top division for the first time in their history in 2004. He then had brief spells with Xerez CD, Alicante CF, and Hamilton Academical in Scotland before retiring from professional football in 2009.
How Much Is Luis Rubiales Net Worth?
According to various sources, Luis Rubiales net worth is estimated between $4 million and $7 million as of August 2023. He makes money from his salary as the president of the RFEF, which is reportedly around $500,000 per year. He also has income from his investments, endorsements, and other deals.
Luis Rubiales doesn’t have as much money as other soccer leaders or former players. For example, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has $20 million, and the great player Cristiano Ronaldo has $500 million.
But Luis Rubiales’ money is still impressive. He started with little and worked hard in soccer. He’s been a strong leader who changed Spanish soccer. He’s had tough times and disagreements, too. Whether you like him or not, you can’t ignore how much he’s influenced the game.
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How Did Luis Rubiales Become The RFEF President?
Luis Rubiales was keenly interested in football politics and became the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) president in 2010. He represented the players’ interests and fought for their rights and welfare. He also led several strikes and protests against the RFEF and La Liga over unpaid wages, fixture scheduling, and collective bargaining agreements.
In 2018, he decided to run for the presidency of the RFEF, challenging the incumbent, Ángel María Villar, who had been in power since 1988. Villar was arrested and suspended by the Spanish government on corruption and embezzlement charges in 2017, leaving a power vacuum at the RFEF. Rubiales won the election with 80 votes out of 140, becoming the youngest president in the RFEF’s history.
What Are The Achievements And Controversies Of Luis Rubiales?
Luis Rubiales has been a controversial figure in Spanish football, often clashing with other stakeholders and making bold decisions. Some of his achievements include:
- Negotiating a lucrative TV deal with UEFA for the Nations League and Euro 2020.
- Appointing Luis Enrique as the head coach of the men’s national team and supporting him during his tragedy.
- Securing Madrid as one of the host cities for Euro 2020 after Barcelona withdrew due to political unrest.
- Launching a new format for the Copa del Rey, making it more inclusive and exciting.
- Creating a new Supercopa de España competition featuring four teams instead of two.
- Supporting the women’s national team and promoting gender equality in football.
Some of his controversies include:
- He fired Julen Lopetegui as the main coach of the men’s national soccer team just before the 2018 World Cup because he secretly agreed to work for Real Madrid without telling the Spanish Football Federation.
- I disagree with La Liga’s idea to play some games in other countries, especially in the United States.
- I am having a strained relationship with Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, because of various problems like TV rights, scheduling issues, and fair financial rules.
- A former worker of AFE said he s*xually harassed her and took legal action against him in 2019.
- He was in trouble for kissing Jenni Hermoso, a women’s national team player, without her agreeing during the celebration of their World Cup win in 2023.
Luis Rubiales, who is in charge of Spanish Football, won’t quit even after he kissed Jenni Hermoso against her wishes after the World Cup final:
Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales is refusing to resign after forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso following the World Cup final:
▪️ Repeatedly shouted ‘I will not resign’ during Spanish FA meeting
▪️ Called the kiss ‘mutual and consensual’ and ‘more a peck than a… pic.twitter.com/vFEUMHr3ZD— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 25, 2023
What Happened at the World Cup Final?
On August 20, 2023, Spain won their first-ever Women’s World Cup title by defeating England 1-0 in Sydney, Australia. It was a historic moment for La Roja, who had never reached the final and had overcome many challenges to achieve their dream. The players and the staff celebrated on the pitch with joy and emotion, but one incident marred the occasion.
As the players received their medals and trophies, Rubiales approached Hermoso, who had scored six goals in the tournament and was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. He grabbed her by the head and planted a kiss on her lips in front of millions of viewers and a stunned Hermoso. The forward immediately pushed him away and said that she did not like it. She later said that she felt “vulnerable and a victim of aggression, an impulsive act, s*xist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part”.
How Did Rubiales React to the Backlash?
Rubiales’ kiss sparked outrage and condemnation from various sectors of society, including politicians, media, fans, players and clubs. Many accused him of sexual harassment, abuse of power, disrespect, and sexism. The Spanish government said it would take legal action to suspend him from his position and urged him to resign. The World Cup-winning squad said they would not play for Spain again until he leaves. The men’s national team also expressed their solidarity with Hermoso and demanded his departure.
However, Rubiales denied any wrongdoing and insisted that he would not resign. He said he had a friendly relationship with Hermoso and that she had permitted him to give her “a little peck”. He also accused his critics of “false feminism” and said he was a victim of a “manipulative culture”. He claimed that he had the support of the majority of the RFEF members, who applauded him and gave him a standing ovation at an emergency meeting on August 25.
Conclusion
Luis Rubiales is a controversial figure in Spanish football. He has been praised for some of his achievements and initiatives, but he has also been criticized for his actions and scandals. He has a net worth of about $5 million as of 2023, mainly derived from his football player and official career. However, his net worth may change depending on his future decisions and outcomes.
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