Biography
Who is Stéphane Ruffier?
Early life and athletic beginnings
Born in Bayonne, France, on September 27, 1986, Stéphane Ruffier grew up in the French Basque Country. His father, Jean-François, was a world champion in Basque pelota, a sport Stéphane initially pursued during his childhood. Despite his early exposure to his father's discipline, he developed a strong interest in football. At age six, he joined the youth section of Aviron Bayonnais. He started as an outfield player, training specifically to be a striker.
Professional career with Monaco
Upon joining Monaco, Stéphane trained under several goalkeeper coaches to hone his craft. He spent one season in the academy before moving to the club's amateur team in the fourth division. During the 2004-05 season, he served as the primary goalkeeper for the amateur squad. To gain experience, Monaco loaned him back to his original club, Aviron Bayonnais, for the following season. He played in every league match during that loan spell, though the team was relegated to the CFA.
Time with Saint-Étienne
In August 2011, Stéphane joined Saint-Étienne, making his debut in a victory over Bordeaux. He became a fixture in the team, eventually signing a long-term contract extension in 2014. Throughout his tenure, he reached significant milestones for the club. By November 2019, he had played in his 303rd Ligue 1 match for Saint-Étienne, equaling a club record for the most appearances by a goalkeeper in the league.
International experience
Stéphane represented France at the youth level, debuting for the under-21 team in November 2007 against Armenia. He participated in qualification matches for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but the team failed to advance past the playoffs. His senior international career began after he received praise for his club performances in the 2009-10 season.
Birthday and age
Stéphane Ruffier was born on September 27, 1986, which makes Stéphane 40 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Stéphane shares the date with 68 other famous people.
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