David Ruiz Bio
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa, born on 8 February 2004, is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Born in the United States, he represents the Honduras national team. Standing 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) tall, Ruiz has emerged as one of the most promising young midfielders in Major League Soccer and a key part of Inter Miami’s long-term plans.
A dual national of the United States and Honduras, Ruiz chose to represent the country of his parents at the international level. He came through the youth system in South Florida and quickly advanced into the senior setup at Inter Miami, where he has earned first-team minutes at a very young age.
Early Life and Background
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa was born in Miami, Florida, on 8 February 2004. He grew up in a household with strong ties to Honduras, which would later shape his international career. According to public biographical sources, Ruiz moved to Honduras at the age of five with his family, before returning to the United States three years later. This early exposure to both countries helped him develop fluency in Spanish and a connection to his Honduran heritage.
Back in the Miami area, Ruiz began his organized football journey with the Miami United Stars, where he spent seven years developing his game. The club’s youth program gave him a foundation in technical skills, ball control, and positional discipline. By 2021, his progress had attracted the attention of Major League Soccer scouts, and he was offered a place in the Inter Miami CF academy.
Path to Soccer
Ruiz’s path into professional soccer began in earnest when he joined the Inter Miami CF academy in 2021. The academy is known for its structured development pathway from youth teams to the reserve side. Ruiz quickly adapted to the academy’s demands, showing maturity beyond his age as a central midfielder.
Later in 2021, he was promoted to Fort Lauderdale CF, Inter Miami’s reserve team that later became Inter Miami II. The move into USL League One gave him his first taste of senior-level football and allowed him to refine his game against older opponents. His performances in the reserve ranks convinced the club’s coaching staff that he was ready for a first-team opportunity.
David Ruiz Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa began his senior career with Inter Miami II in 2021, when the team was still known as Fort Lauderdale CF and competed in USL League One. Playing in a developmental league, he featured regularly as a young midfielder learning the demands of professional football. The reserve side later rebranded as Inter Miami II and moved into MLS Next Pro, where Ruiz continued to log valuable minutes.
By early 2023, his form at the reserve level had earned him a look from the first-team staff. He was called into the senior squad on a short-term arrangement, providing him with a glimpse of Major League Soccer action. The first-team chance marked a turning point in his young career.
Major League Soccer Breakthrough (2023-Present)
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa’s Major League Soccer debut came in March 2023 when he joined the Inter Miami first team on a short-term four-day loan. He came off the bench against the Chicago Fire, becoming one of the youngest players ever to appear for the club. A second short-term loan followed in April 2023, allowing him to feature against the Houston Dynamo.
On 28 April 2023, Inter Miami signed Ruiz to a homegrown player contract that runs through the 2025 season, with club options for 2026 and 2027. Shortly after, on 13 May 2023, he scored his first professional goal and added an assist against the New England Revolution, though he was also sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 81st minute. At 19 years and 95 days old, he became the youngest player to record both a goal and an assist for Inter Miami, a milestone that underlined his arrival as a first-team contributor.
During 2024, Ruiz also spent time on loan with Inter Miami II, a move designed to help him accumulate consistent minutes while continuing his development. He wears the number 41 shirt for the senior side and has been viewed as a long-term piece of Inter Miami’s midfield.
Playing Style and Strengths
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa is a central midfielder known for his technical quality, calmness in possession, and willingness to progress the ball into attacking areas. He combines tidy distribution with the ability to make late runs into the box, a trait that helped him record his first professional goal and assist in the same match. His composure on the ball has allowed coaches to trust him in high-pressure moments despite his young age.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable milestones in David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa’s career is his record as the youngest Inter Miami player to record a goal and an assist in a single match, set on 13 May 2023 against the New England Revolution. He also became one of the youngest players to debut for the club in Major League Soccer, appearing against the Chicago Fire in March 2023. At the international level, he represented Honduras at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and made his senior debut for Honduras in September 2023 against Grenada.
David Ruiz International Career
Honduras Highlights
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa is a full international with the Honduras national team. He was first called up to the senior side in August 2023 for the September CONCACAF Nations League group matches and made his senior debut on 12 September 2023, coming on as a substitute against Grenada. The call-up capped a fast rise through the age-group teams.
Youth Career and Tournament Performances
Earlier in 2023, Ruiz was named to the Honduras U-20 squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he featured in the group stage. In the second group match, he scored his first international goal from the penalty spot before being shown a straight red card in the same game. He had also previously trained with the United States U-19 in January 2023, before confirming his commitment to Honduras.
David Ruiz Family
Family Background and Heritage
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa was born in Miami, Florida, to Honduran parents, which gave him eligibility for both the United States and Honduras national teams. His early years included time living in Honduras, an experience that strengthened his cultural connection to the country of his family. Public details about his parents and siblings have not been widely reported, and he has kept his family life largely private.
Personal Life
Off the pitch, David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa is known to be focused on his development as a professional footballer. He is active on social media, where he shares updates about his career, and continues to be based in the Miami area while playing for Inter Miami. Specific details about his relationships, marital status, and children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa entered 2025 as a homegrown midfielder under contract with Inter Miami through the end of the season, with club options beyond. As part of a deep and talented midfield group, he was expected to play a supporting role, contributing minutes in both Major League Soccer and cup competitions. The season provided him with another opportunity to build on his record-breaking 2023 debut year.
Through the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Ruiz continued to feature for Inter Miami as a rotational option in central midfield. His combination of technical passing, intelligent movement, and willingness to shoot from distance gave the team an additional creative outlet off the bench. Coaches have continued to emphasize his development, with the understanding that consistent playing time is a key part of his growth.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season is an important one for David Antonio Ruiz Ochoa, as it represents the final guaranteed year of his current homegrown deal. With club options for 2026 and 2027, his performances could shape Inter Miami’s long-term plans for him. If he continues his steady progress, he is well placed to remain a central figure in the club’s midfield for years to come.