Christian Noboa


Christian Fernando Noboa Tello is an Ecuadorian footballer who plays for Russian Premier League club PFC Sochi and the Ecuadorian national team as a central midfielder.

Club career

Emelec

Christian started out at Emelec, one of Ecuador's most important teams. He became a starter and with good talent he entered the starting eleven line-up. His total appearances and goals are 89 and 8. Christian impressed many with his good talent and skill at a young age. He was linked with clubs during his time with Emelec because of impressive performances.

Rubin Kazan

2007–2012

Christian was finally transferred in 2007 to FC Rubin Kazan of the Russian Premier League. He was a key player since he was capable of playing in almost any midfield position which made him a good transfer. In 2008, he helped Rubin win its first title of the RPL in history. In 2009, he played in the UEFA Champions League. On 29 September 2010, as a captain, Noboa helped Rubin Kazan obtain a draw against FC Barcelona in a Champions League match by scoring his side's only goal from a penalty kick.

Dynamo Moscow

2012

On 26 January 2012 Noboa signed with Dynamo Moscow for £8 million.
His first match for Dynamo was on 5 March, in a 0–1 home loss to Anzhi Makhachkala. He played in 10 league matches for Dynamo in the 2012 season.

2012–13

His first match of the season was on 21 July, in 0–1 away loss to Volga Nizhny Novgorod. His first goal for club and season was on 25 August, in a 3–2 away win against Lokomotiv Moscow, which he later celebrated with tears after not having scored for a while. His next goal came from long-range, in a 1–2 home loss to Kuban Krasnodar. His third goal of the first half of the season came in an emphatic 5–1 away win against league leaders CSKA Moscow. On 5 April Noboa scored a free-kick goal, in a 1–1 away draw against FK Amkar Perm'. On 21 April, Noboa scored the first goal in a 3–3 away draw against Anzhi.

2013–14

On 3 August he scored the winning goal against Terek Grozny, and dedicated the goal to his late international teammate Christian Benitez.

2014–15

It was confirmed on 29 December 2014 that Noboa would not renegotiate terms with his club and is open to offers. On 31 December, the official site of FC Dynamo Moscow issued statement thanking Noboa for his services and wishing him good luck.

P.A.O.K.

On 7 January 2015, it was confirmed that Noboa would be joining PAOK FC on a 2.5 year contract. In an interview given to a radio station in Ecuador, Noboa revealed that his buy-out clause at PAOK is in the region of €1.5 million. Even though there is not any formal interest yet, Noboa hinted that he could be tempted to move away from PAOK if a Mexican club makes an approach.“I like the prospect of playing in Mexico. I hope that something concrete may come up. I would be open to play in a club there,” Noboa has reportedly said. On 8 January, he made his debut with the club in a 1–0 home win against Platanias, and scored his first goal on 21 February in a 3–1 away win against Veria.
He was in contention for the first two games in the Super League play-offs as he is set to travel to Ecuador late in May in order to start preparations for the Copa America. The Ecuadorian midfielder revealed that he will fly to his homeland on 27 May in order to be in contention with his National Team ahead of the tournament in Latin America which goes underway two weeks later.

Rostov

On 29 July 2015, Noboa signed a two-year contract with Russian Premier League side FC Rostov. He scored a goal on his Rostov debut in a 1–0 win over FC Amkar Perm on 28 August 2015.

Zenit

On 4 June 2017, Noboa signed a three-year deal with FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Return to Rubin Kazan

On 18 February 2018, Noboa returned to Rubin on loan from Zenit until the end of the 2017–18 season.

Sochi

On 5 August 2019, he signed a 2-year contract with Russian Premier League newcomers PFC Sochi, joining several other former Zenit players on the squad.

International career

Noboa was called up to the Ecuadorian national team for a series of two unofficial friendly matches in late 2006 against Spanish provincial sides. The transfer to Russian football did practically nothing for his chances of being selected by then national team manager Luis Fernando Suárez.
Under Sixto Vizuete's current management, he has been noticed and made his official debut against Brazil in a 2010 World Cup qualifiers. In the match, Noboa scored a wonderful goal to tie the game in the 89th minute for his first international goal. Noboa may have saved Ecuador's qualification dreams as he scored his second goal in as many games against Paraguay on 1 April 2009.
Lately, he has truly become one of Ecuador's best midfielders playing for the national squad. On 7 June 2009, in a World Cup qualification match he was crucial in his assists and offensive leadership to help Ecuador beat Peru 2–1 in Lima.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador1–11–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador1–01–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States1–04–0International friendly
4MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States3–04–0Copa América Centenario

Personal life

Noboa is married to Russian Olya Romanova, with whom he has two sons, Christopher and Lucas.

Honours

;Rubin Kazan
;Zenit Saint Petersburg