In his first season he was a key element in the Ches Champions League campaign, as the club was beaten in the final for the second year running, this time losing in a penalty shootout to FC Bayern Munich, with the player scoring on his attempt.
Rubén Darío | Ruben Studdard | Rubén Sierra | Rubén Blades | Ruben Blades | Rubén Olivares | Rubén Darío Paredes | Rubén Fuentes | Ruben Brown | Rubén Berríos | Ruben Rausing | Ruben and the Jets | Rubén Amaro, Sr. | Pedro Ruben Decima | Cruising with Ruben & the Jets | Rubén Zamora | Ruben Vardanian | Rubén Tejada | Rubén Sanz | Ruben Sanz | Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Rubén Rivera | Rubén Ortiz Torres | Ruben Ortiz Torres | Rubén Magnano | Ruben Kruger | Ruben Hinojosa | Rubén Amaro, Jr. | Ruben Amaro | Christian Ruben |
After a string of midfield injuries to the main squad (Rubén Baraja, Edu and Manuel Fernandes) he was called up by coach Unai Emery, making his La Liga debut against FC Barcelona, playing 20 minutes in a 0–4 away loss on 6 December 2008 (previous to that, he had already appeared in a domestic cup game against Club Portugalete, where he also scored).