# Reuben Gabriel

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Reuben_Gabriel
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Reuben_Gabriel.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Gabriel
> Source revision: 1353867850
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1990)}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Reuben Gabriel
| image =
| full_name = Reuben Shalu Gabriel
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|9|25|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [Kaduna](/source/Kaduna_(city)), Nigeria
| height = 1.95 m
| position = [Defensive midfielder](/source/Defensive_midfielder)
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 =  
| youthclubs1 =  
| years1 = 2007–2009 
| years2 = 2009–2010 
| years3 = 2011–2013
| years4 = 2013–2014
| years5 = 2014
| years6 = 2014–2016
| years7 = 2016
| years8 = 2017–2019
| years9 = 2019
| years10 = 2019–2020
| years11 = 2020–2021
| years12 = 2021
| years13 = 2024-2025
| clubs1 = [Kaduna United](/source/Kaduna_United_F.C.) 
| clubs2 = [Enyimba International](/source/Enyimba_International_F.C.) 
| clubs3 = [Kano Pillars](/source/Kano_Pillars_F.C.) 
| clubs4 = [Kilmarnock](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.)
| clubs5 = [Waasland-Beveren](/source/Waasland-Beveren)
| clubs6 = [Boavista Porto](/source/Boavista_F.C.)
| clubs7 = [AS Trenčín](/source/FK_AS_Tren%C4%8D%C3%ADn)
| clubs8 = [KuPS](/source/Kuopion_Palloseura)
| clubs9 = [Najran](/source/Najran_SC)
| clubs10 = [Abha](/source/Abha_Club)
| clubs11 = [Al-Fayha](/source/Al-Fayha_FC)
| clubs12 = [Al-Ain](/source/Al-Ain_FC_(Saudi_Arabia))
| clubs13 = [Shabab Sahel](/source/Shabab_Al_Sahel_FC)
| caps1 =75     
| caps2 = 44
| caps3 =  67 
| caps4 = 3
| caps5 = 5
| caps6 = 36
| caps7 = 11
| caps8 = 38
| caps9 = 12
| caps10= 16
| caps11= 35
| caps12 = 0
| caps13 = 22
| goals1 = 2  
| goals2 =1 
| goals3 = 1
| goals4 = 0
| goals5 = 3
| goals6 = 1
| goals7 = 1
| goals8 = 7
| goals9 = 4
| goals10= 1
| goals11= 2
| goals12 = 0
| goals13 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2010–2014
| nationalteam1 = [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team)
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| club-update = 25 November 2018
| nationalteam-update = 25 April 2026
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's [football](/source/association_football)}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[Africa Cup of Nations](/source/Africa_Cup_of_Nations)}}
{{Medal|W|[2013 South Africa](/source/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations)|}}
}}
'''Reuben Shalu Gabriel''' {{post-nominals|country=NGA|MON}} (born 25 September 1990) is a Nigerian professional [footballer](/source/association_football) who plays as a [defensive midfielder](/source/defensive_midfielder).

==Club career==
===Nigeria===
Gabriel was born in [Kaduna](/source/Kaduna_(city)). In his country he played for [Kaduna United FC](/source/Kaduna_United_F.C.), [Enyimba International F.C.](/source/Enyimba_International_F.C.) and [Kano Pillars FC](/source/Kano_Pillars_F.C.).<ref>[http://westafricanfootball.com/2012/01/16/new-players-at-the-nigeria-national-football-team/ New players at the Nigeria national football team]; West African Football, 16 January 2012</ref>

In October 2012, Gabriel was named both the Player of the Year and the National Team Player of the Year at the 2012 League Bloggers Awards (LBA), held in [Lagos](/source/Lagos).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/31042/reuben-gabriel-wins-lba-player-of-the-year|title=Gabriel wins LBA Player of the Year|publisher=[Kick Off](/source/Kick_Off_(magazine))|date=29 October 2012|accessdate=29 October 2012|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028060326/http://www.kickoff.com/news/31042/reuben-gabriel-wins-lba-player-of-the-year|archivedate=28 October 2014}}</ref>

===Kilmarnock===
On 2 April 2013, Gabriel joined [Scottish Premier League](/source/Scottish_Premier_League) side [Kilmarnock](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.) as a [free agent](/source/free_agent), signing a three-year contract.<ref>[http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/articles/20130402/signing-of-reuben-gabriel-completed_85961_3129367 Signing of Reuben Gabriel completed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406114323/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/articles/20130402/signing-of-reuben-gabriel-completed_85961_3129367|date=6 April 2013}}; Kilmarnock FC, 2 April 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22008836|title=Kilmarnock sign Nigeria midfielder Reuben Gabriel|publisher=[BBC Sport](/source/BBC_Sport)|date=2 April 2013|access-date=2 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405033531/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22008836|archive-date=5 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/02/3872496/midfielder-reuben-gabriel-set-to-make-debut-for-Kilmarnock|title=Midfielder Reuben Gabriel set to make debut for Kilmarnock|publisher=[Goal](/source/Goal_(website))|date=2 April 2013|accessdate=11 April 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406211452/http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/02/3872496/midfielder-reuben-gabriel-set-to-make-debut-for-Kilmarnock|archivedate=6 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/kilmarnock/219810-kilmarnock-sign-gabriel-reuben-and-papa-idris-on-three-year-deals/|title=Midfielder Kilmarnock sign Gabriel Reuben and Papa Idris on three-year deals|publisher=[STV News](/source/STV_News)|date=2 April 2013|accessdate=11 April 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407005650/http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/kilmarnock/219810-kilmarnock-sign-gabriel-reuben-and-papa-idris-on-three-year-deals/|archivedate=7 April 2013}}</ref> He made his debut for his new team on 29 November, in a [Scottish Cup](/source/Scottish_Cup) tie against [Dundee United](/source/Dundee_United_F.C.) where he conceded a [penalty](/source/Penalty_kick_(association_football)) in a [5–2 away defeat](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Scottish_Cup).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25063966|title=Dundee United 5–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 November 2013|access-date=30 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129214057/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25063966|archive-date=29 November 2013}}</ref>

In November 2013, Reuben demanded to leave Kilmarnock in the January 2014 window.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25121563|title=Nigeria's Gabriel Reuben demands to leave Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2013|access-date=30 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130042156/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25121563|archive-date=30 November 2013}}</ref> He was released in January, after the club accepted his request.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25576955|title=Nigerian Gabriel Reuben released by Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 January 2014|access-date=2 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104031840/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25576955|archive-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>

===Waasland-Beveren===
In January 2014, Reuben went on trial with [Tottenham Hotspur](/source/Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.) in the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nigerianwatch.com/sport/3661-super-eagles-midfielder-reuben-gabriel-begins-trials-with-tottenham-hotspurs|title=Super Eagles midfielder Reuben Gabriel begins trials with Tottenham Hotspurs|publisher=Nigeria Watch|date=18 January 2014|accessdate=31 January 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219022147/http://www.nigerianwatch.com/sport/3661-super-eagles-midfielder-reuben-gabriel-begins-trials-with-tottenham-hotspurs|archivedate=19 February 2014}}</ref> However, nothing came of it, and he joined [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League) side [Waasland-Beveren](/source/Waasland-Beveren) on a one-and-a-half-year contract late in the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25841776|title=Waasland-Beveren sign Nigeria midfielder Reuben Gabriel|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123234040/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25841776|archive-date=23 January 2014}}</ref>

Gabriel was [Veikkausliiga](/source/Veikkausliiga) Player of the Month in September 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ruben Gabriel Veikkausliigan kuukauden pelaaja |trans-title=Ruben Gabriel, Veikkausliiga Player of the Month |url=https://jpy.fi/fi/uutiset/ruben-gabriel-veikkausliigan-kuukauden-pelaaja |website=JPY |access-date=9 March 2026 |language=Finnish |date=11 October 2017}}</ref>

===Al-Ain===
On 3 September 2021, Gabriel joined [Al-Ain](/source/Al-Ain_FC_(Saudi_Arabia)).<ref>{{cite web |title=#روبن |url=https://twitter.com/alain_ksa/status/1433878356848693250}}</ref>

==International career==
Gabriel made his debut for [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team) in March 2010, in a 5–2 win against the [Democratic Republic of the Congo](/source/DR_Congo_national_football_team). Previously, he was a member of the national B-team that won the [2010 WAFU Nations Cup](/source/2010_WAFU_Nations_Cup).

Reuben scored his first international on 9 June 2012, netting the opener in an eventual 1–1 away draw against [Malawi](/source/Malawi_national_football_team) for the [2014 FIFA World Cup](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup) [qualifiers](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CAF)).<ref>[http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/news/2012/june/19-reuben-targets-npl-title-with-pillars.html Reuben targets NPL title with Pillars] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225215931/http://mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/news/2012/june/19-reuben-targets-npl-title-with-pillars.html|date=25 December 2015}}; MTN Football, 19 June 2012</ref> He was called to the 23-man squad for the [2013 Africa Cup of Nations](/source/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20970786|title=Nations Cup 2013: Nigeria pick six locally-based players|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Okeleji|first=Oluwashina|date=10 January 2013|access-date=10 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113015637/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20970786|archive-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> being an unused player as the Super Eagles won the tournament in South Africa.

Reuben was also selected to the 2014 World Cup by coach [Stephen Keshi](/source/Stephen_Keshi).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/nigeria/10810433/Nigeria-World-Cup-2014-squad.html|title=Nigeria World Cup 2014 squad|newspaper=[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)|date=2 June 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602191037/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/nigeria/10810433/Nigeria-World-Cup-2014-squad.html|archivedate=2 June 2014|accessdate=30 June 2014}}</ref> He made his debut in [the tournament](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) on 30 June, [replacing](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) injured [Ogenyi Onazi](/source/Ogenyi_Onazi) in the 59th minute of an eventual 0–2 loss to [France](/source/France_national_football_team) for the [round-of-16](/source/Single-elimination_tournament).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255951/match=300186462/match-report.html|title=France sink Super Eagles|publisher=FIFA|date=30 June 2014|accessdate=30 June 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630204005/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255951/match=300186462/match-report.html|archivedate=30 June 2014}}</ref>

==Honours==
'''Orders'''
* 60x60px Member of the [Order of the Niger](/source/Order_of_the_Niger)<ref>{{cite news |last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina |author-link=Oluwashina Okeleji |date=13 February 2013 |title=Presidential reward for Super Eagles |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21450619 |department=Sport |work=BBC |location=Lagos |access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{ForaDeJogo}}
*{{NFT player|36499}}
*{{FIFA player|356710}}
*{{Soccerway|gabriel-reuben/120757}}

{{Shabab Al Sahel FC squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title       = Nigeria squads
|bg          = #008751
|fg          = White
|bordercolor =
|list1       =
{{Nigeria squad 2013 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gabriel, Reuben}}
Category:1990 births
Category:Living people
Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Kaduna
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Nigeria Professional Football League players
Category:Kaduna United F.C. players
Category:Enyimba F.C. players
Category:Kano Pillars F.C. players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:SK Beveren players
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Saudi First Division League players
Category:Saudi Pro League players
Category:Boavista F.C. players
Category:Slovak First Football League players
Category:AS Trenčín players
Category:Veikkausliiga players
Category:Najran S.FC players
Category:Abha Club players
Category:Al-Fayha Club players
Category:Al-Ain FC (Saudi Arabia) players
Category:Kuopion Palloseura players
Category:Nigeria men's international footballers
Category:2013 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players
Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players
Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovakia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Finland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Slovakia
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Finland
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Members of the Order of the Niger

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Reuben Gabriel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Gabriel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Gabriel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.