Miguel Almirón

Miguel Almirón
Name	Miguel Almirón
Fullname	Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala
Birth date	January 10, 1994
Birth place	Asunción, Paraguay
Height	1.72 m
Position	Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub	Newcastle United
Clubnumber	24

Miguel Almirón is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Newcastle United and the Paraguay national team. Known for his pace, dribbling, and work-rate, he rose from youth football in Asunción to prominence in Major League Soccer with Atlanta United before transferring to the Premier League. Almirón has been a key figure for club and country, contributing goals, assists, and high-intensity pressing.

Early life and youth career

Almirón was born in Asunción and grew up in a family connected to Paraguayan football culture, influenced by figures like Roque Santa Cruz, José Luis Chilavert, Carlos Gamarra, Juan Bautista Agüero, and Óscar Cardozo. He joined the youth academy of Club Nacional (Paraguay), a club associated with alumni such as Aureliano Torres, Hernán López, Julio César Enciso, and Sergio Aquino. In youth tournaments he faced players from Club Olimpia, Cerro Porteño, Club Libertad, Club Guaraní, and 12 de Octubre Football Club. Scouts linked to Club Atlético Lanús, Cerro Porteño, Boca Juniors, River Plate, and São Paulo FC noted his development before he made his professional debut for Nacional alongside teammates who later featured for Club Atlético Independiente, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, and Sportivo Luqueño.

Club career

After breaking into the first team at Club Nacional (Paraguay), he transferred to Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División, where he joined a squad containing players from Racing Club de Avellaneda, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Independiente, and Huracán. His performances attracted interest from Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer, managed by Gerardo "Tata" Martino and backed by ownership linked to Arthur Blank and MLS Expansion Committee figures. At Atlanta United he played alongside Ezequiel Barco, Yamil Asad, Jeff Larentowicz, Hector Villalba, and Josef Martínez and contributed to the club’s capture of the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup—competitions also contested by LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City, and Portland Timbers. In January 2019 he completed a high-profile move to Newcastle United in the Premier League, joining teammates from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, and Italy. At Newcastle he faced opponents such as Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., Chelsea F.C., Manchester City, Arsenal F.C., and Tottenham Hotspur while appearing under managers including Rafael Benítez, Steve Bruce, Eddie Howe, and working within structures influenced by owners connected to Mike Ashley and later investors with ties to Saudi Public Investment Fund discussions. His goals and assists featured in matches at St James' Park, against clubs like Leicester City, Everton F.C., West Ham United, Aston Villa, and Leeds United.

International career

Almirón represented Paraguay at youth level in competitions organized by CONMEBOL, facing nations such as Argentina national football team, Brazil national football team, Uruguay national football team, Chile national football team, and Colombia national football team. He made his senior debut for the Paraguay national team, competing in qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and tournaments like the Copa América against squads including Venezuela national football team, Peru national football team, Bolivia national football team, Ecuador national football team, and Mexico national football team. He featured in World Cup qualifying campaigns contested by players from Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Luis Suárez, Gabriel Jesus, and James Rodríguez. Almirón has captained Paraguay in friendlies and competitive fixtures versus teams such as Costa Rica national football team, Panama national football team, Honduras national football team, and played in matches staged at venues like Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, and Maracanã Stadium.

Style of play and reception

Almirón's style is characterized by high-intensity pressing, direct dribbling, and quick transitional play, drawing comparisons in press reports to players like Neymar Jr., Ángel Di María, Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mané, and Heung-min Son. Analysts from outlets referencing BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Guardian, The Athletic, and ESPN have highlighted his fitness, tactical versatility, and ability to link with forwards such as Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almirón (not linked per instructions) is not linked here, and midfielders compared to Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne. Coaches and pundits including Jürgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Diego Simeone, and Mauricio Pochettino have commented on the modern pressing forward archetype that Almirón embodies, while former professionals like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard have emphasized similar attributes in attacking midfielders.

Personal life

Off the pitch, Almirón has family ties in Asunción and connections to Paraguayan cultural figures and athletes such as Paulo da Silva, Julio César Romero, Darío Verón, and Richard Ortiz. He has been involved in community initiatives similar to programs run by FIFA Foundation, UNICEF, UEFA Foundation for Children, Common Goal, and philanthropic efforts seen with players like Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling. He has engaged with fan groups including supporters of Newcastle United Supporters Trust, The Magpie Group, and Paraguayan supporter organizations for Club Nacional (Paraguay), Club Olimpia, and Cerro Porteño.

Career statistics

Almirón's club career statistics include appearances and goals across competitions such as the Paraguayan Primera División, Argentine Primera División, Major League Soccer, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and continental tournaments like the Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League. His international statistics record caps and goals for the Paraguay national football team in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Copa América matches, and international friendlies versus CONMEBOL and CONCACAF nations.

Honours and awards

Almirón has won domestic and continental honours with clubs and earned individual recognition including selections to MLS Best XI and club awards; trophies contested against clubs like LAFC, Seattle Sounders FC, Toronto FC, Club América, and River Plate. He has been nominated for awards alongside players such as Carlos Vela, Gonzalo Higuaín, David Villa, and Wayne Rooney, and recognized in seasonal lists by FIFPro-adjacent panels, league awards, and media outlets including ESPN FC, FourFourTwo, and Goal.com.

Category:1994 births Category:Paraguayan footballers Category:Association football midfielders