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Rubilio Castillo
Rubilio Castillo
from Wikipedia

Román Rubilio Castillo Álvarez (born 26 November 1991) is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga Nacional club Marathón and the Honduras national team.

Key Information

Club career

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On 27 September 2008, Castillo made his professional footballing debut for Vida in the Honduran top flight. He scored his side's only goal in a 1–1 draw with Hispano.[1] On 22 June 2012, Castillo joined Deportes Savio on loan until the end of the year. He made his debut on 30 July, starting in the opening match of the Apertura tournament, in a 3–1 loss to Olimpia.[2] He would score his first goal for Savio the following 12 August in a 4–2 away defeat to Platense.[3][4]

On 4 December 2013, Castillo signed with Motagua, after having been previously linked to Motagua and Olimpia, and as well as having a tryout with Spanish Segunda División side Real Murcia.[5] On 4 September 2015, Castillo joined Ascenso MX club Correcaminos UAT on a year-long loan.[6] He would make his debut for the Mexican side the following 18 September in a 2–0 away defeat against Atlante.[7] He would score his first goal for the club a week later in the 1–0 home defeat of Venados.[8] Castillo returned to Motagua following the end of the loan spell.[9]

On 12 August 2018, Castillo scored the winning goal in Motagua's 1–0 victory over Real España. With this goal, he became the club's all-time top scorer with 77 goals. The goal was also his 100th in the league.[10] After his performance following the 2018 CONCACAF League, he was nominated for Player of the Year and was also included in the Best XI at the 2018 CONCACAF Awards.

On 22 January 2019, Castillo signed with Liga FPD club Deportivo Saprissa. The signing came to fruition after Castillo failed a medical with Super League Greece club PAS Giannina and also broke a pre-contract agreement with China League One club Nantong Zhiyun.[11] He made his league debut the following 6 February, coming off the bench in a 1–0 home win against Santos de Guápiles.[12]

On 26 July 2019, Castillo signed with Primeira Liga club Tondela until June 2022.[13] He made his debut the following 3 August in a 0–1 away loss to Penafiel in the Taça da Liga.[14] He made his debut in the league, alongside fellow countryman Jonathan Toro, the following 12 August in a 0–0 draw with Vitória de Setúbal.[15] On 31 January 2020, Castillo returned to Motagua on a year-long loan until 31 January 2021, after being unable to establish himself with Tondela.[16] On 13 January 2021, Castillo joined Bolivian Primera División club Royal Pari on a year-long loan until 1 January 2022.[17] Castillo and Tondela reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract on 12 February 2022.[18]

On 24 March 2022, free agent Castillo signed with Liga Guate club Comunicaciones.[19] He made his debut the following 3 April, coming of the bench in a 1–0 home win against Municipal.[20] He would score his first goal for the club on 7 April, in a 2–0 away victory against Xelajú.[21] On 6 June, Comunicaciones announced the departure of Castillo.[22]

On 29 June 2022, Castillo signed with Categoría Primera A club Deportivo Pasto.[23] Castillo only made one appearance with the Colombian outfit in a friendly, and was unable to be registered by the club due to an ongoing legal issue with Nantong Zhiyun. The Chinese club was suing Castillo for unilaterally terminating his pre-contract agreement with them because he refused to undergo a medical. He was ordered to pay $218,000 (about 5.3 million lempiras) to the club as compensation for breach of contract.[24] Castillo's contract with Deportivo Pasto was terminated after only a month at the club.

After serving a 6-month suspension from footballing activity, in February 2023, Castillo signed with Nantong Zhiyun, now playing in the Chinese Super League.[25][26] He made his debut in the league on 17 April, in a 2–1 home loss to Dalian Pro.[27] He scored his first goal the following 26 April in a match against Henan, the sole goal in a 1–0 win.[28]

On 4 January 2024, Castillo made his second return to Motagua.[29]

On 23 January 2025, Castillo returned to Colombia and signed with Deportivo Pereira.[30] He made his debut the following 3 February, in a league match against Alianza FC, where he had a goal disallowed in the 0–0 draw.[31] He would score his first goal for the club and first in Categoría Primera A on 19 February, in a 3–1 away loss to Once Caldas.[32] On 6 August, Castillo and the club agreed to mutually terminate his contract after he had fallen out of favor with head coach Rafael Dudamel.[33]

On 21 August 2025, Castillo returned to Honduras and signed with Marathón on a one-year deal.[34] On 27 September, Castillo would score on his debut for the club, managing to execute a bicycle kick for his team's second in a 2–2 home draw with Victoria.[35]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 10 January 2026[36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vida 2008–09 Liga Nacional 11 1 11 1
2009–10 Liga Nacional 3 0 3 0
2010–11 Liga Nacional 10 2 10 2
2011–12 Liga Nacional 8 1 8 1
2012–13 Liga Nacional 17 2 17 2
2013–14 Liga Nacional 17 12 17 12
Total 66 18 66 18
Deportes Savio (loan) 2012–13 Liga Nacional 18 5 18 5
Motagua 2013–14 Liga Nacional 19 5 19 5
2014–15 Liga Nacional 44 28 3 2 47 30
2015–16 Liga Nacional 3 1 0 0 3 1
2016–17 Liga Nacional 32 19 1 0 33 19
2017–18 Liga Nacional 40 23 1 0 2 0 43 23
2018–19 Liga Nacional 16 8 0 0 6 5 22 13
Total 154 84 5 2 8 5 167 91
Correcaminos UAT (loan) 2015–16 Ascenso MX 19 7 1 0 20 7
Saprissa 2018–19 Liga FPD 18 7 2 0 20 7
Tondela 2019–20 Primeira Liga 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
Motagua (loan) 2019–20 Liga Nacional 7 5 2 0 9 5
2020–21 Liga Nacional 14 10 3 0 17 10
Total 21 15 5 0 26 15
Royal Pari (loan) 2021 FBF División Profesional 25 10 2 1 27 11
Comunicaciones 2021–22 Liga Nacional de Guatemala 15 3 15 3
Nantong Zhiyun 2023 Chinese Super League 25 8 2 1 27 9
Motagua 2023–24 Liga Nacional 13 6 13 6
2024–25 Liga Nacional 17 8 7 2 24 10
Total 30 14 7 2 37 16
Deportivo Pereira 2025 Categoría Primera A 10 1 3 2 13 3
Marathón 2025–26 Liga Nacional 12 8 12 8
Career total 400 173 12 5 24 8 1 0 437 186

International

[edit]
As of match played 20 November 2024[37]
National team Year Apps Goals
Honduras
2015 11 2
2017 7 2
2018 2 0
2019 5 2
2020 1 0
2021 2 0
2022 1 0
2023 4 1
2024 3 0
Total 36 7
Scores and results list Honduras' goal tally first.[37]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 6 June 2015 Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay  Paraguay 2–1 2–2 Friendly
2. 4 September 2015 Polideportivo Cachamay, Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela  Venezuela 2–0 3–0
3. 15 January 2017 Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama  El Salvador 1–1 2–1 2017 Copa Centroamericana
4. 2–1
5. 17 June 2019 Independence Park, Kingston, Jamaica  Jamaica 2–3 2–3 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
6. 25 June 2019 Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, United States  El Salvador 2–0 4–0
7. 6 June 2024 Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés, Tegucigalpa, Honduras  Cuba 3–1 3–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Román Rubilio Castillo Álvarez (born 26 November 1991) is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga Nacional club and the national team. Born in , , Castillo stands at 1.83 meters tall and began his senior career with C.D. Vida in the Honduran top flight on 27 September 2008, scoring on debut in a 1–1 draw against . Over his club career, he has represented multiple teams across , , , , , and , including stints with Motagua (where he became the all-time top scorer with 77 league goals), Comunicaciones, Royal Pari, (on loan), Nantong Zhiyun, and , before returning to Marathón in August 2025. Castillo debuted for the national team on 5 February 2015 against and has since accumulated 37 caps with 7 goals (as of November 2025), participating in four Gold Cups (2015, 2019, 2023, 2025) and scoring in the 2019 edition against and . Among his notable achievements, he has secured four Honduran Apertura titles, one Honduran Clausura title, one Guatemalan Clausura championship with Comunicaciones, one , and has been recognized as the top goalscorer in the Honduran league on three occasions.

Club career

Early years with Vida (2008–2013)

He joined the senior team of , his hometown club, in 2008 at the age of 16, marking his entry into professional football without prior notable involvement in a formal youth academy. Castillo made his professional debut in the Liga Nacional de Honduras on September 27, 2008, during a match against Hispano F.C. at Estadio Municipal Ceibeño in . He scored Vida's only goal in a 1–1 draw, announcing his arrival as a promising young striker with a clinical finish on his first top-flight appearance. Over the subsequent seasons, he developed rapidly, showcasing his goal-scoring instincts and physical presence as a forward. During a 2012 loan spell to Deportes Savio, he netted five goals in 13 appearances, further honing his skills before returning to Vida. In his formative years with Vida from 2008 to 2013, Castillo appeared in 41 matches and scored 18 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the league's emerging talents. His breakthrough came through consistent performances, including leading the scoring charts in one tournament during his tenure, which highlighted his prolific nature and drew attention from larger clubs. By the end of 2013, these contributions solidified his reputation as a raw but effective goal poacher, paving the way for his transfer to ahead of the 2014 Clausura.

Rise at Motagua and initial loans (2013–2019)

Castillo transferred to from on January 5, 2014, beginning a pivotal phase in his career where he quickly integrated as the team's primary goal-scoring threat. Over his primary tenure with Motagua from 2014 to 2018, he featured in 125 matches across the de Honduras, netting 79 goals and solidifying his reputation as a prolific forward. This period marked his transition from a promising talent to a cornerstone player, highlighted by consistent scoring in both tournaments. His standout seasons included multiple top scorer honors in the Liga Nacional, earning the accolade three times: in the 2013/14 Apertura with 12 goals, the 2014/15 Clausura, and the 2017/18 Clausura. These achievements underscored his clinical finishing and importance to Motagua's title challenges, as he often delivered decisive goals in high-stakes matches. A career milestone came on August 12, 2018, when Castillo scored the winner in a 1–0 victory over , marking his 100th goal in the Liga Nacional and elevating him to Motagua's all-time leading scorer with 77 club goals at that stage. To gain further experience, Castillo was loaned to Mexican Ascenso MX side from September 2015 to June 2016, where he adapted to a more competitive environment by appearing in 20 matches and scoring 7 goals. Upon his return to Motagua, he seamlessly resumed his scoring form, contributing to the team's domestic campaigns. This loan period proved instrumental in broadening his tactical awareness, preparing him for greater responsibilities back home. In the 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League, Castillo played a leading role in Motagua's run to the final, scoring five goals across the tournament, including a brace in the 4–1 second-leg semifinal win over Portmore United that secured a 5–2 aggregate victory. His performances, marked by powerful headers and opportunistic strikes, highlighted his continental impact and earned individual praise for driving the club's deepest run in the competition since 2007.

Ventures abroad (2019–2024)

In January 2019, Rubilio Castillo transferred to in Costa Rica's , marking his first major move abroad following strong performances in . Over the course of the 2018–19 season, he featured in 20 matches across league and competitions, netting 7 goals and contributing to the team's continental campaign. This period highlighted his adaptation to the faster-paced style, where he showcased his physical presence and finishing ability against regional opponents. Later that year, in July 2019, Castillo joined Portuguese side on a €300,000 transfer, aiming to break into European football. However, his stint was markedly brief, limited to just 3 appearances across the league, , and , with no goals scored. Factors such as intense competition for attacking positions and challenges in adjusting to the tactical demands of European play contributed to his minimal involvement, prompting a loan return to Honduran club Motagua by early 2020. In January 2021, Castillo was loaned to outfit Royal Pari, where he found more consistent opportunities. Across the 2021 season, he made 27 appearances and scored 11 goals, demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess in a physically demanding league. Notable performances included a brace in a 6–1 victory over CD San José, underscoring his impact despite occasional off-field tensions, such as a post-match altercation with fans. This spell provided valuable experience in South American football's high-altitude conditions and competitive intensity. Shifting to Guatemala in March 2022, Castillo signed with Comunicaciones FC, quickly integrating into the squad during the Clausura tournament. In 15 appearances across the league and playoffs, he scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist, playing a key role in the team's successful campaign that culminated in the national championship win. His contributions, including goals in crucial matches like a 1–1 draw against Malacateco, helped solidify the attack and marked a triumphant, albeit short, chapter abroad. Castillo's final notable venture abroad came in February 2023, when he joined club Zhiyun on a free transfer. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded 25 league appearances with 8 goals, plus 2 cup outings and 1 goal, helping the team avoid relegation. The move required adjustments to a new cultural environment, language barriers, and the league's emphasis on technical play and physical endurance, yet Castillo's aerial ability and clinical finishing proved effective in establishing him as a reliable forward.

Return to Honduran football (2024–present)

After a stint abroad with Nantong Zhiyun in , Rubilio Castillo returned to Honduran club football by rejoining on January 4, 2024. During the 2024 season, he featured in 30 matches for Motagua across the Liga Nacional, scoring 14 goals and establishing himself as a central figure in the team's offensive campaigns. His contributions helped Motagua remain competitive in both the tournaments, though the club did not secure major honors that year, prompting his subsequent transfer decision. In January 2025, Castillo moved to Colombian side , where he made 10 league appearances and scored 2 goals, but he returned to the Liga Nacional just seven months later, signing with on August 21, 2025, on a free transfer. As of November 20, 2025, he has made 7 appearances for Marathón in the Apertura phase of the 2025/2026 season, contributing 5 goals. His contract with the club is set to expire on December 31, 2025. Castillo's recent performances have included notable goal contributions, such as his strike in a 3-0 victory over Genesis on October 18, 2025, where he emphasized the team's collective aspirations post-match. As a 33-year-old striker, he has taken on a role within Marathón's squad, drawing on his experience to guide younger players amid occasional disciplinary challenges, like a controversial red card in a match against Platense on November 8, 2025. Although Marathón is based in , Castillo's status as a prominent Honduran talent from nearby has resonated with fans, boosting local support for the club. This phase of his has provided stability following inconsistent results abroad, allowing Castillo to leverage his domestic expertise. His estimated stood at €150,000 as of late 2025.

International career

Debut and national team journey (2015–present)

Rubilio Castillo made his senior debut for the national team on February 5, 2015, in a 3-1 friendly victory over , coming on as a substitute. His early call-ups were bolstered by consistent scoring form at Motagua in the Liga Nacional, where he netted multiple goals in domestic competitions leading into 2015. Over the subsequent years, Castillo established himself as a reliable forward option, accumulating appearances in friendlies and qualifying campaigns while transitioning between starter and substitute roles. Castillo featured prominently in Honduras' CONCACAF Gold Cup participations, appearing in three group stage matches during the 2019 edition and scoring twice, including the second goal in a 4-0 win over in the 65th minute. Honduras finished last in Group C and did not advance. In the 2023 Gold Cup, he played two group stage games, contributing an assist on ' injury-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw against , though Honduras exited in the group phase after losses to and . Beyond scoring, his physical presence as a centre-forward has aided in holding up play and creating opportunities for teammates in these tournaments. In World Cup qualifying cycles, Castillo has made six appearances across CONCACAF matches, including starts against teams like Canada and El Salvador during the 2022 cycle, providing depth to the attack without finding the net in those fixtures. His involvement in the CONCACAF Nations League has included four outings in League A, where he provided an assist in a 2024 group stage win over Trinidad and Tobago and offered leadership in set-piece situations during Honduras' promotion-relegation efforts. These contributions have underscored his versatility, with occasional assists and aerial dominance helping stabilize the forward line. As of November 2025, Castillo has earned 36 caps for , scoring seven international goals, though he has not received a call-up since May 2025 amid competition from younger strikers. At age 33 and in strong form with Marathón—where he has continued to score regularly—his experience positions him for potential future selections in ongoing qualifiers and tournaments.

International goals

Rubilio Castillo has scored a total of seven goals for the Honduras national team across 36 caps as of November 2025. His international goals are detailed below in chronological order:
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionMinuteNotes
16 June 2015Estadio Defensores del Chaco, AsunciónParaguay1–22–2Friendly58'Equalizer, assisted by Mario Martínez
24 September 2015Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto OrdazVenezuela2–03–0Friendly74'Header assisted by Emilio Izaguirre, extended the lead
315 January 2017Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama CityEl Salvador1–12–1UNCAF Nations Cup61'Equalizer after falling behind early
415 January 2017Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama CityEl Salvador2–12–1UNCAF Nations Cup90'Winning goal in stoppage time, a low shot to secure the comeback victory
517 June 2019Independence Park, KingstonJamaica1–32–3CONCACAF Gold Cup90+2'Consolation header assisted by Emilio Izaguirre, late in a group stage loss
625 June 2019Lockhart Stadium, Fort LauderdaleEl Salvador1–04–0CONCACAF Gold Cup65'Opened the scoring in a group stage rout
76 June 2024Estadio Francisco Morazán, San Pedro SulaCuba3–13–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification82'Sealed the win with a right-footed finish assisted by David Ruiz, in the second round opener
These goals span friendlies, regional tournaments, and qualifiers, with Castillo often contributing as a substitute or late-game impact player. His scoring progression reflects steady involvement in key matches, accumulating one goal per year from 2015 to 2017, then three in 2019 during the Gold Cup, and one in 2024 qualifiers.

Honours

Club achievements

Rubilio Castillo has contributed to several team titles across his club career in , , and , primarily as a key forward for Motagua. His involvement includes scoring crucial goals in championship campaigns, such as leading the scoring in multiple Honduran league finals.

With C.D. Motagua

  • Liga Nacional Apertura (2014/15): Won the title, appearing in 16 matches and scoring 9 goals during the season.
  • Liga Nacional Apertura (2016/17): Secured the championship, with 10 goals in 18 appearances.
  • Liga Nacional Clausura (2016/17): Claimed the title in a double-winning season, contributing 7 goals in 17 matches.
  • Liga Nacional Apertura (2018/19): Part of the title-winning squad before his mid-season loan, scoring 11 goals in 17 games.
  • Liga Nacional Apertura (2024/25): Returned to win the title, featuring in key matches with 8 goals across 17 appearances.
  • Honduran Super Cup (2017): Triumphed over Marathón, marking Motagua's second victory.
  • CONCACAF League (2018): Reached the final as runners-up, losing to Herediano; Castillo scored 5 goals in 6 matches during the run.

With Comunicaciones F.C.

  • Liga Nacional Clausura (2021/22): Ended a nine-year domestic drought for the club, with Castillo scoring 3 goals in 15 appearances en route to the title.

With Deportivo Saprissa

  • Liga FPD Clausura (2018/19): Won the Costa Rican league title during his loan spell, contributing 7 goals in 18 league matches.

Individual accolades

Castillo's individual accolades primarily stem from his prolific scoring in domestic and regional competitions. In the 2013–14 Liga Nacional Apertura season, he earned the top goal scorer title with 12 goals while playing for . During the 2017–18 Liga Nacional Apertura, Castillo repeated as top goal scorer, netting 13 goals for and leading the league in scoring. His performance extended to international play that year, where he won the Golden Boot as the leading scorer in the 2018 Concacaf League with 5 goals, helping Motagua reach the final. Castillo marked a milestone in his career with his 100th league goal during the 2020–21 Apertura season with Motagua.

References

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