Stephane Ruffier

Stephane Ruffier (born 27 September 1986) is a French former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

A former captain for both Monaco and Saint-Etienne, Ruffier made 428 appearances in Ligue 1 during his career. He is also a former French international, having earned three caps for the national team between 2010 and 2015 and been named to the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.

Club Career

Early life and career

Ruffier was born on 27 September 1986 in Bayonne to Jean-Francois Ruffier, a world champion in the sport of Basque pelota, and Patricia Ruffier. He has two sisters, one of which is a figure skater. Ruffier is of Basque descent having been born and raised in the heart of French Basque Country. Despite emulating his father's skills in Basque pelota as a child, Ruffier grew an attraction to the sport of football and joined the football section of the Aviron Bayonnais sporting club at the age of six. He entered the academy initially as an outfield player and was training to become a striker. However, at the age of eight, due to a goalkeeper shortage at the academy, Ruffier was asked by a youth coach to try out for the position. The transition was a success and, by the age of 13, Ruffier had acquired the physical skills and traits needed to excel at the position.

While in the youth system of Bayonne, Ruffier helped the club's under-13 team win the Coupe de Pyrenees. The following season, he attended a trial session with professional club Montpellier, but ultimately failed to impress. In 2002, Ruffier was spotted by Monaco scout Arnold Catalano. Catalano is known for recruiting Thierry Henry to the club and recommended Ruffier join Monaco on a trial. On 2 August 2002, after a successful trial with the club, Ruffier signed an aspirant (youth trainee) contract with the club.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Стефан Руффье (russian)