Stheven Adán Robles Ruiz (born 12 November 1995), nicknamed El Pelón ("The Hairless Man"), is a Guatemalan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or right-back for Liga Nacional club Comunicaciones and the Guatemala national team.
The place where you grow up can define what your future will be like, but that was not the case for Stheven Robles, the Comunicaciones and Guatemala national team full-back, who had to face many obstacles to get ahead.
Robles was born in Zone 18 in Guatemala City, in the Villas neighborhood, a place controlled by gangs where children run and enjoy the alleys.
Robles, the youngest of three siblings, was looked after by his mother, Sandra, who was afraid that he would be called into the gang, so everytime he went to the dirt courts, she was with him and they returned home together.
His friend Walfredo Cruz always told him: "I'm sure you'll play in one of the best teams," so he never stopped insisting that he go to tryouts with the clubs because he knew the time would come.
Walfredo always accompanied him, paid for his public transportation and food, because the Robles family had no means of traveling to distant places.
[4] After progressing through all the youth categories, Robles made his debut for the first team under coach Willy Coito Olivera on 8 February 2015 in a 1–0 win over Halcones.
[12] On 4 November 2017, during a match against Xelajú, Robles was kicked hard in the stomach by Wilson Godoy, which caused intense abdominal pain.
[20] Days later, on 4 August, prior to the 307th edition of the Clásico Chapín, Robles was met with harsh words and insults from Municipal fans.
[23] Four days later, Robles started in the round of 16 match of the CONCACAF League against Guastatoya on 28 August, winning 2–1 on aggregate.
"[31] On 25 January 2020, Robles scored his fourth goal for the club in the 311th edition of the Clásico Chapín at the 75th minute, ending in a 4–2 win for Los Albos.
"[37] On 30 July, Robles confirmed on social media that he had fully recovered from the injury and thanked his physiotherapist for helping him maintain his form.
[40] A week later, on 23 October, Robles started in preliminary round of the 2020 CONCACAF League against Motagua, where he was subbed off at the 66th minute for Carlos Castrillo, as Comunicaciones lost 15–14 on penalties.
[44] That same day, Robles became heavily linked to a transfer to Alianza Petrolera, where he would join his national teammate Ricardo Jérez.
[46] On 17 January 2021, Robles started in the quarter-finals of the 2020 Apertura against Antigua, before being subbed off at the 78th minute for Dewinder Bradley, as Comunicaciones lost 3–0 and were eliminated.
[57] Four days later, Robles started in the preliminary round of the 2021 CONCACAF League against Once Deportivo, where he was subbed off at the 73rd minute for Allen Yanes in a 1–1 draw.
[60] A few weeks later, on 11 September, Robles started in the 315th edition of the Clásico Chapín, before being subbed off at the 83rd minute for Carlos Castrillo in a 2–1 win.
[63] On 21 October, Robles was subbed off at the 87th minute for Lynner García in the 1st leg of the quarter-finals of the 2021 CONCACAF League against Saprissa in a 4–3 defeat.
[68] In the 1st leg of the final on 8 December against Motagua, Robles provided an assist for Juan Luis Anangonó in a 2–1 win in Tegucigalpa.
[74] Then, on 1 January 2022, in the second leg of the final, Robles was subbed off at the 45th minute for Lynner García, as Comunicaciones failed to win the title.
[78] In the 1st leg of the round of 16 stage in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League on 17 February, Robles received a yellow card in a 1–0 win over Colorado Rapids at home.
[87] The next day, it was announced that Robles and Matías Rotondi would not play in the second leg due to making obscene gestures, and would have to pay a fine of 500 quetzales.
[96] A month later, on 30 November, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the 2022 Apertura, Robles received a yellow card at the 65th minute in a goaless draw against Guastatoya.
[102] Weeks later, on 18 February, Robles returned for a goaless draw against Santa Lucía, where he was subbed off at the 65th minute for Diego Santis.
[109] A week later, in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Clausura, Robles started and was subbed off at the 93rd minute for Diego Santis in a 4–1 victory against Achuapa.
[114] In August, Robles was called up to the U23 squad during the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament, as Guatemala were defeated by Costa Rica in the repechage playoff of the Central American zone.
[117] On 6 September 2019, Robles provided an assist for Edi Danilo Guerra in a 10–0 win over Anguilla in the 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League.
[131] Three days later, on 6 July, Robles provided an assist for Luis Martínez against Guadeloupe, but was unsuccessful as Guatemala lost 9–10 on penalties.
[132] However, on 9 July, it was announced that Curaçao would not participate in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup due to the high number of COVID-19 cases, and Guatemala would take its spot.
[133] In the first match of Group A against El Salvador, Robles started and was subbed off at the 80th minute for Yeltsin Álvarez, as Guatemala lost 2–0.