Agustín Ruiz returns to El Salvador squad

After fully recovering from surgery which he underwent on his right leg, Salvadorian defender Agustín Ruiz returned to training with the national team on Monday 14 March.

La Selecta began preparations for the 2022 El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup, which will be played from 14 to 16 April 2022 at the Costa del Sol stadium.

Ruiz had been inactive for seven months, in which he underwent 78 physiotherapy sessions and, most painfully of all, was forced to miss the 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

“Those were bitter days, I couldn’t be at the World Cup in Russia and I was supporting my teammates from home”, commented Ruiz.

But now Rudis Gallo, coach of the men’s national beach soccer team, has given him the green light to rejoin the group preparing for the tournament, in which El Salvador will face Germany, Mexico and Uruguay.

“Being with the boys again is a great joy for me. It’s not easy being on the operating table, going through therapy and we’re still working to recover fully. We are here with all the desire to give our best.”

Ruiz underwent surgery in July 2021 to correct a complete tear of the cruciate ligament, a grade 3 tear of the medial meniscus, and a complete tear of the lateral meniscus. But this is all behind him now, as the legendary beach soccer player turns his full attention on the approaching competition.

“The team has put in good performances and this is not going to be an exception. The guys are giving everything physically and mentally”, added Ruiz.

Follow the 2022 El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup here.