Raul Ruidiaz
Peruvian striker who became Seattle Sounders' all-time MLS top scorer.
Raúl Mario Ruidíaz Misitich (Spanish pronunciation: [raˈul rujˈðiaθ misiˈtitʃ]; born 25 July 1990) is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga 1 club Atlético Grau. His nickname, "The Flea", stems from his small frame and his ability to get past defenders with great ball control. Ruidíaz began his career at Universitario de Deportes in Peru and later played for Chilean Primera División club Universidad de Chile and Monarcas Morelia in Liga MX between stints with Universitario. He joined Seattle Sounders FC in 2018 and became their all-time top goalscorer in Major League Soccer play during his seven seasons with the club.
- Nationality
- Peruvian
- Joined Sounders
- January 2018
- Previous Club
- Monarcas Morelia
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ruidíaz grew up in the Lima neighbourhood of Villa María del Triunfo. He is of maternal Croatian descent. He made his first steps in club football at Universitario de Deportes aged eight. He made his professional debut in the Peruvian First Division on 4 October 2009 against Total Chalaco. He has often been called pequeño Messi (little Messi) in his home country. He was listed among the greatest talents of South American football by O Globo Brazilian newspaper in 2010. On 10 November 2019, Ruidíaz scored Seattle's final goal in a 3–1 home win over Toronto FC in the MLS Cup Final. In the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League Final, he scored two goals in a 3–0 win in the second leg against UNAM, securing the club's first title in the competition.
In Their Own Story
The rain fell hard on Lumen Field as the clock ticked past ninety minutes. Ruidiaz stood in the box, chest heaving, eyes locked on the incoming cross. The crowd roared a single unified sound. He rose, met the ball with precision, and sent it into the net. Silence broke instantly into thunderous applause.
Reader's Guide
Ruidíaz signed for Seattle Sounders FC on 29 June 2018 as a Designated Player. He set club records for being the fastest to score 10 goals in MLS play (in 14 games), and scoring in the most consecutive appearances (8 games). He became the top goalscorer across all competitions in the team's MLS era on March 23, 2024, surpassing Fredy Montero's 79-goal record. On 4 December 2024, the Sounders announced that Ruidíaz would not return for an eighth season after his contract was not renewed. On 3 April 2025, Atlético Grau signed Ruidíaz to a one-year contract.
Did You Know?
- Ruidíaz scored a controversial goal with his arm against Brazil in the 2016 Copa América Centenario, which eliminated Brazil from the tournament.
- He won the Liga MX Golden Boot in both the Apertura 2016 and Clausura 2017 seasons.
- Ruidíaz is the first and only MLS player (as of March 2025) to win the CONCACAF Champions League with an MLS team.
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