JR
Javi Rueda
Right-Back / Spain / Celta de Vigo
55 OVR
Profile
Key strength: Pace and recovery
Overlapping full-back
In a Celta de Vigo side finding their rhythm from 13th place, 24-year-old right-back Javi Rueda is quietly establishing himself as one of La Liga's most intriguing attacking defenders. The Galicians are riding a formidable WDLWW run, and Rueda has been instrumental—contributing 3 goals and 5 assists across 29 appearances and 1,452 minutes this season. Valued at €6 million, Rueda represents the modern overlapping full-back archetype. He's competing fiercely with experienced internationals Óscar Mingueza and Sergio Carreira for the starting berth, yet his attacking instincts set him apart. His trademark combinations with creative winger Williot Swedberg down Celta's right flank have become a genuine attacking weapon. While his defensive game remains a work in progress—reflected in his 60 defending rating—his recovery pace allows him to gamble forward with confidence. Wearing the number 17 shirt, Rueda offers Claudio Giráldez tactical flexibility and genuine goal threat from deep. As Celta push to climb the table, this Spanish full-back's emergence could be the difference between mid-table obscurity and a surprise European push.