[1] Born in Ciudad Real, Castilla–La Mancha, Rivas started playing as a senior in Atlético Madrid's reserves, but could never break into the first team.
[5] Rivas excelled in the following second-tier seasons with Real Sociedad, rarely missing a match and helping the club to return to the top flight in his second year.
[6] He featured in 32 games in 2010–11 (31 starts), scoring against his former team Atlético Madrid[7] and Sevilla FC, both fixtures ending in home losses,[8] with the club eventually retaining its status.
[10] Rivas made 20 starts during the campaign as the Armeros were promoted to the top division for the first time ever, being coached by his former Real Sociedad teammate Gaizka Garitano.
He played almost exclusively in amateur football, his biggest achievement being appearing in 13 games for AD Alcorcón in the Segunda División B.