Carlos Ruiz Aranega (born 20 July 1983) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder.
He totalled 307 Segunda División games in 11 seasons, scoring 14 goals for Ponferradina and Tenerife.
Born in Baza, Granada, Andalusia, Ruiz spent ten professional seasons with CD Tenerife, having signed in June 2013 from SD Ponferradina. He scored his first goal in the Segunda División on 19 August 2012 while at the service of the latter club, but in a 4âÂÂ2 away loss against Elche CF.
During his tenure at the Estadio Heliodoro RodrÃÂguez López, Ruiz made 286 competitive appearances, scored 17 goals and was sent off eight times, never being relegated and also taking part in the 2022 La Liga play-offs, netting in the 1âÂÂ3 home defeat to Girona FC in the final. He retired on 10 August 2023, shortly after turning 40.
Ruiz was named Tenerife's youth system coordinator on 11 June 2025.