| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roberto Ríos Patus | ||
| Date of birth | 8 October 1971 | ||
| Place of birth | Bilbao, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Betis | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1991–1992 | Betis B | ||
| 1992–1997 | Betis | 114 | (11) |
| 1997–2002 | Athletic Bilbao | 78 | (4) |
| National team | |||
| 1991 | Spain U19 | 2 | (0) |
| 1993–1994 | Spain U21 | 2 | (0) |
| 1996–1998 | Spain | 11 | (0) |
| 1996–1997 | Basque Country | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Roberto Ríos Patus (born 8 October 1971 in Bilbao, Biscay) is a retired Spanish professional footballer who played as a central defender.
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Although Basque-born, Ríos emerged through the youth system of Real Betis, making his professional debuts in the second division, in 1992–93. He went on to contribute importantly in the Andalusians' promotion the following year - although appearing in only 19 matches, he netted four times - and become a regular first-team member onwards.
In the 1997 summer, following rumours of a transfer to Manchester United earlier in February, Ríos was signed by Athletic Bilbao for 2 billion Spanish pesetas, a then-record for a national player.[1] In his first season, he netted twice in 32 contests (including once in a 5–1 home thrashing of CP Mérida, on 21 December 1997), as the Basque side finished runner-up in La Liga.
In January 2003, after spending the first months of the season without a club - he only played 27 games in his last three years at Athletic combined - Ríos rejected an offer from West Bromwich Albion after previously training with the Gary Megson-led club, stating "I don't want to fool anyone" about his chances of regaining full fitness.[2] He retired aged 30 due to persistent injury problems.
Ríos returned to Betis in 2010, as part of newly-appointed manager Pepe Mel's coaching staff.
Ríos was capped 11 times by Spain, with his debut coming on 9 October 1996 (Czech Republic 0–0 Spain), in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier. In spite of having appeared significantly during the campaign and coming from a solid club season with Athletic, he was overlooked for the final stages in France.
Ríos' father, Eusebio, was also a footballer (and a defender). He too played most of his career at Betis, and later became a coach, also managing the team.