Christian Fernando Noboa Tello (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkɾistjannoˈβoa]; born 9 April 1985) is an Ecuadorian former footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Club career

Emelec

Christian started out at Emelec.

Rubin Kazan

2007–2012

Christian was transferred in 2007 to FC Rubin Kazan of the Russian Premier League. 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 in a 1–2 home loss to Kuban Krasnodar. His third goal of the first half of the season came in a 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 (1–0).

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. As of 25 August 2020, Noboa scored nine goals for FC Sochi, including a late goal against FC Tambov on the matchday 5. On 19 January 2023, Noboa extended his contract with Sochi for the 2023–24 season, with an option for 2024–25 season.

Return to Emelec

On 24 January 2024, Sochi announced Noboa's return to Emelec.

International career

Noboa playing for Ecuador in 2015.

Noboa was called up to the Ecuador national team for a series of two unofficial friendly matches in late 2006 against Spanish provincial sides.

Under Sixto Vizuete's current management, he 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. On 7 June 2009, in a World Cup qualification match he helped Ecuador beat Peru 2–1 in Lima.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 10 December 2023

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Emelec2004Serie A28300283
2005Serie A28100281
2006Serie A33400334
Total898000000898
Rubin Kazan2007Russian Premier League1413030201
2008Russian Premier League21610226
2009Russian Premier League2222060302
2010Russian Premier League27800103103811
2011–12Russian Premier League25510122387
Total10922703151014827
Dynamo Moscow2011–12Russian Premier League11020130
2012–13Russian Premier League2752020315
2013–14Russian Premier League29600296
2014–15Russian Premier League1110080191
Total781240100009212
PAOK2014–15Super League Greece1420030172
Rostov2015–16Russian Premier League24400244
2016–17Russian Premier League26200145407
Total50600145006411
Zenit St.Petersburg2017–18Russian Premier League20106090
2018–19Russian Premier League1100011121
2019–20Russian Premier League0000001010
Total130107110221
Rubin Kazan (loan)2017–18Russian Premier League10200102
Sochi2019–20Russian Premier League19400194
2020–21Russian Premier League2512202712
2021–22Russian Premier League25711322910
2022–23Russian Premier League2611102711
2023–24Russian Premier League11231143
Total1063672320011640
Career total46988192651350558103

International

As of 23 June 2021

Ecuador
YearAppsGoals
200982
201040
2011100
201240
2013130
2014101
2015120
2016131
201730
201800
201910
202010
202140
Total834

As of goal scored on 12 June 2016

Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ecuador goal.

List of international goals scored by Christian Noboa
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
128 March 2009Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, EcuadorBrazil1–11–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
21 April 2009Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, EcuadorParaguay1–01–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
36 September 2014Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United StatesBolivia1–04–0International friendly
412 June 2016MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United StatesHaiti3–04–0Copa América Centenario

Personal life

Noboa was married to Russian Olga Romanova, with whom he had two sons, Christopher and Lucas.

Honours

Rubin Kazan

Zenit Saint Petersburg

Individual

External links