Cala
Cala playing for Sevilla in 2013
Personal information
Full name Juan Torres Ruiz[1]
Date of birth (1989-11-26) 26 November 1989 (age 34)[1]
Place of birth Lebrija, Spain[1]
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Sanluqueño (president)
Youth career
Antoniano
2000–2008 Sevilla
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Sevilla B 34 (1)
2010–2014 Sevilla 32 (5)
2010–2011 → Cartagena (loan) 25 (3)
2011–2012 → AEK Athens (loan) 13 (1)
2014 Cardiff City 8 (2)
2015 Granada 7 (0)
2015–2018 Getafe 70 (5)
2018 Henan Jianye 11 (0)
2018–2019 Las Palmas 30 (1)
2019–2023 Cádiz 72 (5)
Total 302 (23)
International career
2008 Spain U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Juan Torres Ruiz (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxwan ˈtores ˈrwiθ]; born 26 November 1989), commonly known as Cala [ˈkala], is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career

Sevilla

Born in Lebrija, Seville, Andalusia, Cala finished his development at local giants Sevilla FC, making his professional debut in the 2007–08 season for the reserve squad, Sevilla Atlético, which competed in Segunda División. On 9 December 2009, he made his first official appearance with the first team, playing 90 minutes against Rangers in the UEFA Champions League in a 1–0 group stage home win.[2]

Cala would first appear in La Liga on 7 February 2010, again playing the entire game but now suffering a 2–1 defeat at Real Zaragoza.[3] In a streak that started on 10 April at Málaga CF, he scored in three consecutive matches (two wins and one loss), which was a club record for a defender.[4][5][6][7]

For the 2010–11 campaign, Cala was loaned to FC Cartagena.[8] He was regularly used by the second-tier team during his spell, making his official debut on 11 September in a 5–1 home victory over FC Barcelona B and finding the net in the game.[9]

On 5 July 2011, Cala signed a one-year loan deal with AEK Athens FC, where he reunited with former Sevilla boss – main squad and reserves – Manolo Jiménez, as well as teammate José Carlos.[10] He made 21 competitive appearances during his tenure, scoring on 30 October to conclude a 3–0 home win over Aris Thessaloniki F.C. in the Super League Greece.[11] During a match against Olympiacos F.C. two weeks before, he was involved in an altercation with François Modesto, who pulled his shorts down to reveal his briefs.[12]

Cala was recalled by Sevilla in late January 2012, as a replacement for Juventus FC-bound Martín Cáceres; AEK received €60,000 in compensation.[13] On 21 December 2013, he scored to open a 2–1 win at Villarreal CF, also being sent off when he fouled Jaume Costa for a penalty kick scored by Jérémy Perbet.[14] He added eight complete appearances in the UEFA Europa League, which ended in conquest.[15]

Cardiff City

On 7 February 2014, Cala signed for Premier League club Cardiff City on a 2+1⁄2-year deal, after terminating his link with Sevilla.[16] He made his debut for his new team eight days later, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 home loss against Wigan Athletic in the round of 16 of the FA Cup.[17] His maiden appearance in the league took place on the 22nd, but in another defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium, now at the hands of Hull City (0–4).[18]

Cala scored his first goal for the Bluebirds on 15 March 2014, but in a 2–1 loss at Everton.[19] His second came in an away victory over Southampton on 12 April, as he hit from long range for the game's only goal.[20] Fifteen days later he was sent off for the first time in his Cardiff career, during a 4–0 away defeat to Sunderland.[21]

Cala was released from his contract with immediate effect on 3 December 2014, having only made one appearance in the Championship that season. He had previously complained via Twitter for being sent to train with the club's academy.[22]

Granada and Getafe

After being strongly linked to Getafe CF, Cala signed a six-month contract with Granada CF on 28 January 2015.[23] On 28 May he was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager José Ramón Sandoval,[24] and subsequently left the club.

Cala agreed to a three-year deal with Getafe on 25 June 2015, also in the top flight.[25] The following 4 January, he scored his first Spanish League goal in over two years, equalising in a 2–1 away win against Sporting de Gijón.[26]

On 6 August 2016, Cala signed a season-long loan deal with FC Anzhi Makhachkala with an option of making the move permanent at the end of it.[27] Seven days later he announced his return through Instagram, alleging personal problems;[28] according to the Russian club's press release, he returned to Spain to care for his younger brother who was having health issues.[29]

Henan Jianye

Even though it had always been his intention to agreeing on terms for a new contract,[30] on 1 March 2018 Cala signed with Henan Jianye F.C. for a reported transfer fee of €1.5 million.[31] He made his debut in the Chinese Super League the following day, playing the entire 4–0 home loss to Tianjin Quanjian FC.

Las Palmas and Cádiz

On 7 July 2018, Cala joined UD Las Palmas from the Spanish second division.[32] He terminated his two-year contract the following 18 June,[33] and moved to Cádiz CF on a five-year deal on 17 July.[34] He netted twice in 27 matches for the latter in his first season, in a return to the top division after 14 years.[35][36]

On 4 April 2021, shortly after having opened the scoring at the Estadio Ramón de Carranza, Cala allegedly directed a racial slur at Mouctar Diakhaby, to which the entire Valencia CF squad responded by leaving the pitch in support of their teammate. After being informed by the referee that they would forfeit the game if it was not completed, they later returned to resume the match with the exception of Diakhaby, who urged them to play on without him and was replaced by Hugo Guillamón; Cádiz eventually won 2–1, with the winner being scored by Marcos Mauro, who had come on for Cala at half-time.[37][38][39] In a press conference held two days later, Cala strongly denied using any racist language towards Diakhaby, claiming he had simply asked him to "leave me in peace" and that the latter had misheard what the former said as a racial slur.[40] Valencia released a statement shortly afterwards, strongly condemning his response, and the following day the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed that the incident was now under formal investigation,[41] while no evidence of racial abuse was found in a separate investigation by the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional.[42]

Cala missed the vast majority of the 2022–23 campaign, due to a serious knee injury. He asked to be unregistered, so that his team could sign another player in his position.[43]

Shortly before completing his retirement at the age of 33, Cala became Atlético Sanluqueño CF's president. He oversaw their promotion to the Primera Federación.[44]

Personal life

Cala took as his nickname the maternal surname of his father, also named Juan, who was prominent in Lebrija's football scene. Together with two uncles, they set up a football school named Cala-Lebrija.[45]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[46]
Club Season League League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sevilla B 2007–08 Segunda División 6 0 — — — — 6 0
2008–09 11 0 — — — — 11 0
Total 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
Sevilla 2009–10 La Liga 5 3 2 0 — 1[a] 0 — 8 3
2011–12 8 1 0 0 — 0 0 — 8 1
2012–13 10 0 3 1 — 0 0 — 13 1
2013–14 9 1 2 0 — 8[b] 0 — 19 1
Total 32 5 7 1 0 0 9 0 0 0 48 6
Cartagena (loan) 2010–11 Segunda División 25 3 1 0 — — — 26 3
AEK Athens (loan) 2011–12 Super League Greece 13 1 2 0 — 6[b] 0 — 21 1
Cardiff City 2013–14 Premier League 7 2 1 0 0 0 — — 8 2
2014–15 Championship 1 0 0 0 2 0 — — 3 0
Total 8 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 11 2
Granada 2014–15 La Liga 7 0 0 0 — — — 7 0
Getafe 2015–16 La Liga 22 1 1 0 — — — 23 1
2016–17 Segunda División 28 2 1 0 — — 3[c] 1 32 3
2017–18 La Liga 20 2 2 0 — — — 22 2
Total 70 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 77 6
Henan Jianye 2018 Chinese Super League 11 0 0 0 — — — 11 0
Las Palmas 2018–19 Segunda División 30 1 0 0 — — — 30 1
Cádiz 2019–20 Segunda División 27 2 0 0 — — — 27 2
2020–21 La Liga 28 3 1 0 — — — 29 3
2021–22 La Liga 14 0 2 0 — — — 16 0
2022–23 La Liga 3 0 0 0 — — — 3 0
Total 72 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 75 5
Career total 285 22 18 1 2 0 15 0 3 1 323 24
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in La Liga play-offs

Honours

Sevilla

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Juan Torres Ruiz" (in Spanish). Cádiz CF. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Gers' dismal campaign ends badly". ESPN Soccernet. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Zaragoza edge tempestuous clash". ESPN Soccernet. 7 February 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Sevilla claim derby honours". ESPN Soccernet. 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Valladolid boost survival hopes". ESPN Soccernet. 13 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  6. ^ "Nine-man Gijon thrashed". ESPN Soccernet. 17 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  7. ^ Vigil Morán, Alejandro (15 March 2011). "Un once de Primera... en Segunda" [Primera XI... in Segunda]. La Voz de Asturias (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Cala se va cedido al Cartagena" [Cala goes on loan to Cartagena] (in Spanish). Sevilla FC. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Betis y Rayo Vallecano siguen marcando el ritmo" [Betis and Rayo Vallecano still setting the pace]. La Verdad (in Spanish). 11 September 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  10. ^ "El AEK de Atenas ficha a José Carlos y Juan Cala" [AEK Athens sign José Carlos and Juan Cala]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 5 July 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  11. ^ Georgakopoulos, George (30 October 2011). "Panathinaikos conquers PAOK". Kathimerini. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  12. ^ "Cala, AEK Athen soccer player, pantsed during game Francois Modesto of Olympiakos (VIDEO)". HuffPost. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  13. ^ Guevara, Rocío (27 January 2012). "Cala vuelve al Sevilla para sustituir a Martín Cáceres" [Cala returns to Sevilla to replace Martín Cáceres]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  14. ^ "No stopping Sevilla". Sky Sports. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  15. ^ a b García, Enrique (26 May 2014). "Juan Cala: "El Sevilla es campeón de la Europa League, yo no"" [Juan Cala: "Sevilla are Europa League champions, I am not"]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Deal done: Cala is a Bluebird". Cardiff City F.C. 7 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  17. ^ "Cardiff 1–2 Wigan". BBC Sport. 15 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  18. ^ Westall, Rob (22 February 2014). "Cardiff City 0–4 Hull City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  19. ^ Magowan, Alistair (15 March 2014). "Everton 2–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  20. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (12 April 2014). "Southampton 0–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  21. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (27 April 2014). "Sunderland 4–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  22. ^ "Cardiff City: Juan Cala leaves Bluebirds". BBC Sport. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  23. ^ "Juan Cala, quinto refuerzo del Granada CF en el mercado de invierno" [Juan Cala, fifth addition of Granada CF in the winter transfer window] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 28 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  24. ^ Piñero, Julio (28 May 2015). "El Granada ya no cuenta con Cala" [Granada cease to count on Cala]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Cala futbolista del Getafe" [Cala footballer of Getafe] (in Spanish). Getafe CF. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  26. ^ "Sporting Gijon 1–2 Getafe: Getafe put end to poor away form". Sky Sports. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  27. ^ "Cala cedido" [Cala loaned] (in Spanish). Getafe CF. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  28. ^ "Juan Cala deja el Anzhi y regresa al Getafe" [Juan Cala leaves Anzhi and returns to Getafe]. Marca (in Spanish). 13 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  29. ^ Хуан Торрес Кала вернулся в Испанию [Juan Cala Torres returned to Spain] (in Russian). Anzhi Makhachkala. 12 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  30. ^ Hernández, Javier (21 February 2018). "Acuerdo Getafe-Henan Jianye por Cala: decidirá el jugador en horas" [Agreement Getafe-Henan Jianye on Cala: the player with decide in a matter of hours]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Juan Cala se marcha al Henan Jianye" [Juan Cala goes to Henan Jianye] (in Spanish). Sport You. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  32. ^ "Cala, nuevo fichaje de la UD Las Palmas" [Cala, new signing of UD Las Palmas] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  33. ^ "Juan Cala leaves UD Las Palmas". UD Las Palmas. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  34. ^ "Juan Cala se convierte en el séptimo fichaje" [Juan Cala becomes the seventh signing] (in Spanish). Cádiz CF. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  35. ^ Corrigan, Dermot (13 July 2020). "Cadiz, the club and city where the rules are different, finally return to La Liga". The Athletic. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Juan Cala" (in Spanish). La Voz Digital. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  37. ^ Picó, Diego (4 April 2021). "Gana el Cádiz, perdemos todos" [Cádiz win, we all lose]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  38. ^ "El Valencia abandona el partido en Cádiz por presuntos insultos racistas de Cala a Diakhaby" [Valencia leave match in Cádiz due to alleged racial insults of Cala to Diakhaby]. Marca (in Spanish). 4 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  39. ^ "Valencia: Alleged racist comment sees team leave pitch". BBC Sport. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Juan Cala: "I'm going to defend my reputation and the fact I'm innocent"". Cádiz CF. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Juan Cala: Spanish FA open proceedings against Cadiz player over alleged racist abuse of Valencia's Mouctar Diakhaby". Sky Sports. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  42. ^ Lowe, Sid (9 April 2021). "La Liga finds no evidence Juan Cala racially abused Mouctar Diakhaby". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  43. ^ Díaz, Francisco Javier (1 February 2023). "Cádiz CF: Ya se conocen los motivos del paso al lado que da Cala" [Cádiz CF: Reasons for step taken by Cala are now known]. Diario de Cádiz (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  44. ^ Simón, José Manuel (11 June 2023). "El otro éxito de Cala: un ascenso como presidente del Atlético Sanluqueño" [Cala's other success: a promotion as president of Atlético Sanluqueño] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  45. ^ Hernández, Javier (27 January 2018). "Cala tendrá en Sevilla el apoyo de su club, el Cala Lebrija" [Cala will have in Seville the support of his club, Cala-Lebrija]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  46. ^ a b "Juan Cala". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 May 2015.

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