Cristian Leonel Ramírez Zambrano (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkɾistjan raˈmiɾes]; born 12 August 1994) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Ferencváros of the Nemzeti Bajnokság I.[2] Fast, intelligent, ambidextrous and a great dribbler are the qualities of Ramirez which has led to the foreign press comparing him to Roberto Carlos.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
 Ramírez with Krasnodar in 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cristian Leonel Ramírez Zambrano | ||
| Date of birth | 12 August 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Santo Domingo, Ecuador | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Ferencváros | ||
| Number | 99 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2009 | CSCyD Brasilia | ||
| 2009–2011 | Independiente DV | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2012 | Independiente DV | 52 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Fortuna Düsseldorf | 16 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | → Nürnberg (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Ferencváros (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Ferencváros | 42 | (4) |
| 2017–2023 | Krasnodar | 135 | (2) |
| 2023– | Ferencváros | 30 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2011 | Ecuador U17 | 13 | (0) |
| 2013 | Ecuador U20 | 7 | (0) |
| 2013– | Ecuador | 22 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 October 2024 | |||
Club career
editIndependiente Jose Teran
editHaving started out early with CSCyD Brasilia, he was signed in 2009 by Independiente Jose Teran. A promising young left-back, even as to being compared to the legendary Roberto Carlos, his professional debut came on 28 August 2011, against El Nacional, fully completing everyone's expectations of his abilities on-field, and started most of his 2011 Serie A games. Throughout the season, he was an incredible defender and attacker against the league's top teams, like LDU Quito, Deportivo Quito, and Barcelona SC. He also gained a fearsome reputation, having stopped on their tracks promising young Ecuadorian talents such as Fidel Martinez and Renato Ibarra; the latter being during Ramirez' debut.
Ramírez continued to play with the starting eleven for the 2012 season. After garnering so much international attention, he had trials with Borussia Dortmund,[10] though he could not be signed by the club then due to UEFA rules restricting signage of foreign players under 18, and a 10-day trial with Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur, which began on 3 April 2012.
Fortuna Düsseldorf
editOn 25 January 2013, he signed for German Bundesliga club Fortuna Düsseldorf.[11][12][13]
1. FC Nürnberg
editOn 17 June 2014, it was confirmed that Cristian would be loaned to Nürnberg for the 2014–2015 season.[14][15][16]
Ferencváros
editOn 2 April 2016, Ramírez became Hungarian League champion with Ferencvárosi TC after losing to Debreceni VSC 2–1 at the Nagyerdei Stadion in the 2015–16 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season.[17]
Krasnodar
editOn 9 January 2017, he signed a 4.5-year contract with the Russian Premier League club Krasnodar.[18] On 20 February 2021, Krasnodar removed him from the official squad registered with the RPL for the rest of the 2020–21 season due to injury. On 15 May 2021, he extended the contract with Krasnodar to 30 June 2025.[19] On 3 March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Krasnodar announced that his contract is suspended and he will not train with the team, but the contract is not terminated and remains valid.[20]
Return to Ferencváros
editOn 14 July 2023, Ferencváros announced Ramírez's return.[21]
On 6 August 2023, he scored his first goal in the 2023–24 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season against Fehérvár FC at the Sóstói Stadion.[22]
On 20 April 2024, the Ferencváros–Kisvárda tie ended with a goalless draw at the Groupama Aréna on the 29th match day of the 2023–24 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season[23] which meant that Ferencváros won their 35th championship.[24][25]
On 15 May 2024, Ferencváros were defeated by Paks 2–0 in the 2024 Magyar Kupa Final at the Puskás Aréna.[26][27]
International career
editRamírez first played for Ecuador in the 2011 under-17 squad, who participated in the 2011 South American U-17 Football Championship, and just barely qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[28] Ramírez showcased his footballing skills and mental capacity in the 2011 U-17 World Cup to successfully defend against the likes of Germany, Panama and Burkina Faso. It was in this tournament where he has instantly intrigued the international club scene. As of April 2012, he has been called up for the U-20 squad, to be able to participate in the 2013 U-20 tournaments.
Ramírez was called up for the friendly matches against Argentina and Honduras on 15 and 20 November 2013. He made his debut as a second-half substitute against Honduras.
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of 6 October 2024
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Independiente del Valle | 2011 | Ecuadorian Serie A | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 32 | 0 | |||
| Total | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | ||
| Fortuna Düsseldorf | 2012–13 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | 2. Bundesliga | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 | ||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||
| Nürnberg | 2014–15 | 2. Bundesliga | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |
| Ferencváros | 2014–15 | Nemzeti Bajnokság I | 13 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 16 | 1 | |
| 2015–16 | 28 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||
| Total | 55 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 71 | 5 | ||
| Krasnodar | 2016–17 | Russian Premier League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | 23 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 24 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | 27 | 2 | 12 | 0 | — | 39 | 2 | |||
| Total | 135 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 187 | 3 | ||
| Ferencváros | 2023–24 | Nemzeti Bajnokság I | 24 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 38 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | Nemzeti Bajnokság I | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| Total | 30 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 52 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 295 | 7 | 37 | 1 | 55 | 2 | 387 | 10 | ||
International
edit- As of match played 10 October 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuador | 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 22 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first.[29]
| No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6 October 2016 | Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
edit- Ferencváros
Personal life
editOn 3 June 2021, he acquired citizenship of Russia after playing in the country for 4.5 years.[30]
In an interview with Nemzeti Sport, he said that he used to spend Christmas at his home in Ecuador. However, in the last couple of years he usually spends his winter holiday with his family in an Asian country. He also said that he is very satisfied with the results achieved in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League with Ferencvárosi TC and it does not matter if they have to face with Olympiacos F.C. in the knock-out stage.[31]
References
edit- ^ "Cristian Ramirez. Official site FC Krasnodar". fckrasnodar.ru. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Cristian Ramírez, nuevo integrante del Krasnodar de Rusia". 14 December 2016.
- ^ Cristian Ramírez at Soccerway
- ^ "El Sub-17 Cristian Ramírez pasaría al Borussia Dortmund de Alemania" (in Spanish). mifutbolecuador.wordpress.com. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "En Inglaterra dicen que el Tottenham contrataría al ecuatoriano Cristian Ramírez" (in Spanish). marcador.ec. 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Juvenil ecuatoriano jugará en Alemania". ecuadorinmediato.com. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ Nixon, Alan (April 2012). "EXCLUSIVE: Spurs line up Ecuador's answer to Roberto Carlos". mirrorfootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Cristian Ramírez habla sobre su 2012 y el futuro en el exterior" (in Spanish). futbolecuatv.blogspot.com.au. 9 February 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Volvió tras dejar una buena impresión" (in Spanish). futbolecuador.com. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Juvenil del Independiente José Terán a un paso de fichar por el Borussia Dortmund" (in Spanish). marcador.ec. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Fortuna verpflichtet Cristian Ramírez" (in German). fortuna-duesseldorf.de. 9 February 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Düsseldorf vor Verpflichtung von Ramirez" (in German). focus.de. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Transferticker: Carlos Eduardo nach Hause - Gekas fündig" (in German). kicker.de. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Fortuna Düsseldorf: Avevor-Verpflichtung fix, Ramirez geht". 17 June 2014.
- ^ "Ecuagol". Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ^ "Ya es oficial, Cristian Ramírez jugará en el 1. FC Nürnberg".
- ^ "Ferencváros crowned Hungarian champions". UEFA.com. 2 April 2016.
- ^ «КРАСНОДАР» ОФОРМИЛ ОТНОШЕНИЯ С КРИСТИАНОМ РАМИРЕСОМ (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 9 January 2017.
- ^ ""КРАСНОДАР" ПРОДЛИЛ КОНТРАКТ С КРИСТИАНОМ РАМИРЕСОМ" (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 15 May 2021.
- ^ ""КРАСНОДАР" ПРИОСТАНОВИЛ КОНТРАКТЫ С НЕСКОЛЬКИМИ ИГРОКАМИ" (Press release) (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "RAMÍREZ HAS RETURNED HOME". Ferencvárosi TC. 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Fehérvár vs. Ferencváros - 6 August 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ "Ferencváros vs. Kisvárda - 20 April 2024 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Klubrekord! Sorozatban hatodszor bajnok a Ferencváros". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 20 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Ferencváros crowned Hungarian champions for sixth year in a row". 20 April 2024.
- ^ FC, PAKSI (15 May 2024). "KUPAGYŐZTESEK LETTÜNK!". paksifc.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Defeat in the MOL Hungarian Cup final". www.fradi.hu. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "¡"Lío" Ramírez al Borussia Dortmund!" (in Spanish). Extra.ec. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
- ^ "Ramírez, Cristian". National Football Teams. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ "Защитник "Краснодара" Кристиан Рамирес получил российское гражданство" (in Russian). Sports.ru. 3 June 2021.
- ^ nemzetisport.hu (26 December 2023). "FTC: A család az otthon – Cristian Ramírez - NSO". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 27 December 2023.