WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
The AIgorythm project
Playwright and actor
Novelist
Writer and poet
Volleyball player
Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer
Singer and percussionist
Last Inca emperor
Politician, former prime Minister
Journalist and TV host
Poet
Inca warrior
Actor and comedian
Biophysicist
Poet
Doctor and researcher
Businessman, Interbank group
Journalist and writer
Poet and writer
Singer and songwriter
Writer
Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner
Football player
Writer and journalist
Doctor and scientist
Photograph
Chess player
Industrialist
Former general
Specialist in public health
Actress and singer
Afro-Peruvian music singer
Mathematician and engineer
Indigenous chronicler
Neurologist and anthropologist
Painter
Football player
National hero, military leader
Intellectual and reformer
Chef and entrepreneur
Fashion designer
Singer-songwriter
TV presenter
Marathon runner
Indigenous Peruvian chronicler
Theologian
Former national team captain
Economist and former health minister
Inca princess
Writer and television host
Folk musician
Poet and guerrilla
Former UN secretary-general
Chef, known for fusion cuisine
Football player
Peruvian aviation pioneer
Poet and artist
Marxist philosopher and writer
Industrialist and businessman
Novelist and ethnologist
Painter and muralist
Opera tenor
Fashion designer
Cardinal of Lima
Peruvian tennis player
Football coach
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Military hero
Latin singer
War of the Pacific hero
The youngest mother in history
Politician
Creole music singer
Tennis player
Musician
Writer and politician
Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party
Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
Archaeologist and anthropologist
Military leader and politician
Television host
Actress and singer
Contemporary sculptor
Women’s rights activist
Beauty queen
Astrophysicist
Heroine of independence
Mathematician and archaeologist
Historian and anthropologist
Military figure and historical figure
Fashion photographer
Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician
Revolutionary leader
Environmental activist
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Musician from Gaia band
War hero
Military leader and politician
Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine
Volleyball coach and former player
Environmental activist
Television personality
Writer
Football player
Epidemiologist and former health Minister
Inventor and aerospace pioneer
Soldier and inventor
Rock singer
Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant
Painter
Football player
TV presenter and actress
Actor
Writer and historian
Journalist and lawyer
Archaeologist, founder of Caral site
Monk and Saint
Saint, patron of Latin America
Physicist and engineer
World champion surfer
Actress
Oncologist
Singer, Latin Grammy winner
Former mayor of Lima
Singer
Actress
Former football player
Painter
Former football player
Painter
Inca leader
Archbishop, saint
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Revolutionary indigenous leader
Diplomat and intellectual
Sculptor and painter
Political leader, founder of APRA
Lawyer and Former prime minister
Chef of Central restaurant
Former head of secret services
Popular singer
Fashion designer
Exotic music singer
Raúl Mario Ruidíaz Misitich, born on July 25, 1990, in Lima, is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Peruvian football. Known for his small stature but remarkable ability to score goals, Ruidíaz has shone both nationally and internationally, becoming a feared forward in every competition he has participated in. Nicknamed "La Pulga" (The Flea) due to his size and agility, he has won the hearts of football fans with his outstanding performances, both for his clubs and for the Peruvian national team.
Raúl Ruidíaz grew up in the district of Villa María del Triunfo, Lima, where he developed a passion for football from a young age. At the age of 8, he joined the Academia Deportiva Cantolao, a renowned football school known for producing some of Peru’s best talents. His ball control, speed, and goal-scoring instinct quickly caught the attention of scouts.
At 18 years old, in 2008, he made his professional debut with Universitario de Deportes, one of Peru’s biggest clubs. Ruidíaz quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Peruvian football. Thanks to his speed, dribbling ability in tight spaces, and natural goal-scoring instincts, he began to make a name for himself, despite his short stature for a striker (1.69 meters). He played a crucial role in the club’s success in the Peruvian national championship.
In 2012, Raúl Ruidíaz took his first big step abroad by joining Universidad de Chile. While he did not find massive success with the Chilean club, the experience gave him international exposure and helped him hone his skills while playing alongside top South American players. After a loan return to Universitario de Deportes, where he regained his form, he decided to further his career by signing with Coritiba in Brazil in 2016. However, his time at Monarcas Morelia in Mexico would be the true turning point in his international career.
At Monarcas Morelia, Ruidíaz became a goal-scoring machine. In his first season, he finished as the top scorer of the 2016 Apertura tournament in Liga MX with 11 goals, an achievement he repeated during the 2017 Clausura tournament. His incredible performances earned him international recognition and the title of Liga MX’s best player for two consecutive seasons. This success in one of Latin America’s most competitive leagues drew attention from European and North American clubs.
In 2018, Raúl Ruidíaz joined Major League Soccer (MLS) by signing with the Seattle Sounders, one of the top teams in the United States. His arrival in this league marked a new chapter in his career, and he quickly established himself as one of the best forwards in the championship. With Seattle, Ruidíaz continued to showcase his exceptional goal-scoring talent. His instinct for goal, ability to be in the right place at the right time, and composure in front of goal made him lethal.
He quickly became one of the key players for the Sounders, helping the team win multiple titles, including the prestigious MLS Cup in 2019. In that final, Ruidíaz scored a decisive goal against Toronto FC, sealing his team's 3-1 victory. As the focal point of Seattle’s attack, he has consistently contributed to the club’s playoff success, becoming a fan favorite for his efficiency and dedication on the field.
Raúl Ruidíaz is often described as a "fox in the box" due to his incredible goal-scoring instincts. He has a unique ability to anticipate defenders' movements and position himself perfectly to finish off attacking plays. Despite his relatively small stature for a striker, he compensates with his speed, agility, and remarkable ball control in tight spaces.
What also sets Ruidíaz apart is his composure in front of goal. Whether it’s powerful shots or delicate finishes, he can convert difficult opportunities into goals. His sense of timing and ability to make intelligent off-the-ball movements make him a constant threat to opposing defenses. Additionally, his versatility allows him to play both as a central striker and as a winger, giving him great freedom within his team’s tactical setup.
Raúl Ruidíaz has also had a respectable international career with the Peruvian national team. He made his debut for the national team in 2011 and has participated in several major tournaments, including multiple editions of the Copa América. One of his most memorable moments with the national team occurred during the Copa América Centenario in 2016, when he scored a controversial goal against Brazil, eliminating the Brazilians from the tournament. Although the goal was debated due to a potential handball, it remains one of the tournament's standout moments.
Ruidíaz also played a part in Peru’s qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Though his role in the World Cup in Russia was limited, he contributed to Peru’s historic qualification, as the country made its first World Cup appearance in 36 years. Despite fierce competition for the striker position within the national team, Ruidíaz has remained an important player, bringing his experience and goal-scoring ability to every opportunity.
Raúl Ruidíaz is regarded today as one of the best Peruvian forwards of his generation. His ability to score goals consistently, whether in Peru, Mexico, or MLS, is a testament to his talent and work ethic. He has inspired many young players in Peru and around the world, showing that challenges like height or physical strength can be overcome by focusing on technique, speed, and tactical intelligence.
His nickname, "La Pulga," references his small stature, but it proves that in football, greatness isn’t measured only by height. Ruidíaz has repeatedly demonstrated that he can compete with the best, not only through his technical skills but also through his competitive mindset.
Raúl Ruidíaz has built an impressive career across various leagues, becoming a model of success for young footballers in Peru and elsewhere. With titles in Latin America and North America, as well as memorable moments with the national team, he has left a lasting mark on world football. His hard work, ability to score in crucial moments, and commitment to the game have made him a living legend of Peruvian football.
As his career continues with the Seattle Sounders and the national team, Raúl Ruidíaz remains a feared forward, ready to keep writing his story and leaving an indelible impact on the world of football.