Biography
Who is Joao Rojas?
Early life and career beginnings
Joao Rojas Robin Rojas Mendoza was born in La Troncal, Ecuador, on June 14, 1989. Before turning professional, he had already gained experience by participating in numerous matches at a young age. His early development included time playing with Municipal de Cañar as a juvenile for a duration of twelve months. Following this period, he transitioned to Deportivo Quevedo before briefly joining Barcelona. In the year 2007, he made a move to Tecnico Universitario, which marked the true start of his professional path.
During the 2008 season with Tecnico Universitario, Joao received recognition as the best juvenile player of the tournament. Because his club did not advance to the final stages, he spent time on loan with River Plate in the Ecuadorian Second Division. On February 10, 2009, he officially signed a contract with Emelec after attracting attention from several other domestic clubs including LDU Quito and El Nacional.
Club career in Mexico
In January 2011, Emelec sent Joao on loan to the Mexican club Morelia. During his debut season with Morelia, he scored five goals across 22 matches, which included two goals in a semifinal series against Club America and another goal in the final against UNAM. The club secured his permanent pass ahead of the 2011 to 2012 season, awarding him the number 10 shirt. He helped the team reach the semifinal stages of both the Mexican league and the CONCACAF Champions League during the Clausura phase.
Prior to the start of the 2012 to 2013 season, Morelia added Jefferson Montero, who was Joao's former teammate from the Ecuador under-20 squad. The two players frequently assisted each other during league and cup matches. Joao scored his first league goal of that campaign in a victory against Puebla, and later added goals against Club Leon, Queretaro, and Atlas. At the Liga MX draft in 2013, he transferred to Cruz Azul and received the number 11 jersey, scoring his first goal for the team against Santos Laguna in July 2013.
Later club career and international play
On June 22, 2018, Joao joined the Brazilian club Sao Paulo on a two-year contract. Years later, on March 23, 2022, he returned to Ecuador and signed a contract with Orense. Throughout his club career, he earned major titles, including the CONCACAF Champions League with Cruz Azul during the 2013 to 2014 season and the Campeonato Paulista with Sao Paulo in 2021.
On the international stage, Joao earned his first cap for the Ecuador senior team in November 2008 against Mexico, entering the match as a late substitute. He made his first senior start the following year in March during a friendly fixture against El Salvador. Comparisons were drawn by media outlets between his playing style and that of Christian Benitez due to his speed, physical size, and skills. He also represented Ecuador at the under-20 level during the 2009 South American Youth Championship, scoring two goals in a win against Peru, and was later selected by Reinaldo Rueda for the 2014 World Cup squad.
Birthday and age
Joao Rojas was born on June 14, 1989, which makes Joao 37 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Joao shares the date with 46 other famous people.
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