In 2016, months before joining Monarcas Morelia, the Peru striker surprised everyone when it was announced he would be signing for Thailand’s Buriram United at the height of his career. Why didn’t your transfer go through?
Raul Ruidíaz He is one of the Peruvian footballers who have performed better abroad in the club arena in recent years. The “Flea” excelled in League 1 with Universitario and is now considered one of the best players in MLS with the Seattle Sounders. Ruidíaz’s “explosion” outside of Peru began with his arrival at Monarcas Morelia in Mexico in 2016. However, none of this could have happened had he gone to Thai football that same year.
Few remember him today, but Raúl Ruidíaz was close to signing for Thailand’s Buriram United in early 2016. Despite being one of the best teams in the Asian country, the Peru team’s forward was at a very good level. and had to stay in the ‘U’ or jump to a higher league. What happened and what does Ricardo Gareca have to do with it?
Raúl Ruidíaz changed the face of Universitario when he returned to the club after playing the first half of the year at Melgar. Photo: DeChalaca
Raúl Ruidíaz and his great return to university
Raúl Ruidíaz became one of Melgar’s star signings of the 2015 season, although at one point he said he would only play for Universitario in Peru. He was a regular starter on “Domino” but returned to his loved ones’ team for the final tournament. This decision was very accommodating for the “flea”, who became top scorer of the year with 12 goals in 13 games.
With Ruidíaz, the “U” made it from fighting relegation to finishing the year with a place in the Copa Sudamericana. This allowed him to be called up to the Peru team from the double date of qualification in November 2015. His streak continued at Descentralizado 2016 as he scored 9 goals in 10 games before joining Monarcas Morelia.
Raúl Ruidíaz averaged more than a goal per game with Universitario in 2016 before going to Mexico. Photo: DeChalaca
Before that, however, he had received a good offer from Thailand.
Raúl Ruidíaz and his frustrated move to Buriram United
On February 19, 2016, it was revealed that Raúl Ruidíaz would be leaving Universitario to sign for Buriram United in the Thai Premier League. Germán Leguía, the club’s sporting manager at the time, explained that the ‘flea’ had shared his decision with them the day before and would be traveling to undergo medical checks.
The owner of Ruidíaz’s passport was from Melgar after belonging to Coritiba of Brazil. The negotiation with the Thai team was led by ‘Domino’ and appeared to be closed due to the supposedly good financial offer. A few days later, however, the “flea” returned to the university for training, without having traveled to Asia.
FBC Melgar became the holder of Raúl Ruidíaz’s passport in 2015. Photo: FBC Melgar
Why didn’t Raúl Ruidíaz go to Thailand?
Ruidíaz himself said at the time that he had decided not to travel to Thailand due to an infringement by Buriram United. “I stayed because they broke part of the offer they sent. I will not go to a place where things change for me. If they sent a contract, it must be respected,” he said at the time A few months later he spoke about a possible influence of Ricardo Gareca.
When asked for his opinion on Ruidíaz’s departure, the ‘Tiger’ said he didn’t like the idea, although he understood the economic improvement. It also turned out that a member of the technical command of the Peruvian team had called him to persuade him to stay.
“How do you want to go to Thailand? We’ve scheduled you for selection. We’re concerned you’re playing there, we won’t be able to see or track you,” they told the Flea over the phone. He has never publicly confirmed this version, but what is concrete is that fate has in store for him his great transfer to Monarcas Morelia.