Miguel Almirón
Who was Miguel Almirón?
Paraguayan winger who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League and has been a key player for the Paraguay national team since 2015.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Miguel Almirón (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala was born on February 10, 1994, in Asunción, Paraguay. He started his football journey in Paraguay's youth leagues before joining the professional ranks with Cerro Porteño, one of the country's well-known clubs. His skills, work ethic, and lively play in attack quickly highlighted his potential, attracting the attention of bigger South American leagues.
In 2015, Almirón joined Argentine club Lanús, a move that was crucial for his growth as a player. Competing in the Argentine Primera División helped him improve against tougher competition, and he played a key role in Lanús winning the 2016 Argentine Primera División title. His standout performances in Argentina caught the eye of North American clubs, leading to a transfer to the new Major League Soccer team, Atlanta United, for $8 million. He became one of the key early signings for the club as they were establishing their identity.
Almirón had an outstanding time at Atlanta United. He was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2017 and made it to the MLS Best XI in both full seasons he played with the team. Known for his speed, creativity, and energy, he was one of the league's most thrilling players. The highlight of his stint in Atlanta came in 2018 with the MLS Cup victory, marking him as a significant player in the club's quick rise to success. His impressive performances caught the attention of European leagues, and in January 2019, he moved to Premier League club Newcastle United for £21 million, a club record at the time and the highest fee paid for a player leaving Major League Soccer.
At Newcastle United, Almirón became a fan favorite, especially after a strong period where he scored some memorable goals and proved he could compete at the top level of English football. He consistently played key roles over several seasons and remained vital during the club's major ownership transition in 2021, which brought in new investments and ambitions. He was with Newcastle until January 2025, when he returned to Atlanta United, bringing his career full circle by going back to the club where he first gained international fame.
Internationally, Almirón debuted for Paraguay in 2015 and has been a regular player for the national team since then. He represented Paraguay in the Copa América tournaments of 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024, gaining a wealth of experience on the continental stage and standing out as one of the most well-known faces in Paraguayan football during this time.
Before Fame
Miguel Almirón grew up in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, which has a strong love for football, supported by clubs like Olimpia and Cerro Porteño. He trained within Paraguayan club football from a young age and eventually joined the professional team at Cerro Porteño. Paraguay has produced many technically skilled players who move abroad to grow further, and Almirón followed this path by joining the Argentine club Lanús in 2015.
The Argentine league offered the competitive environment Almirón needed to improve his game. In a country where football is followed with great passion and tactical nuance, he developed the pressing style and quick passing that became his signature. His contribution to Lanús's 2016 title win gave him the recognition he needed, leading to his major move to Atlanta United and, eventually, to the Premier League.
Key Achievements
- Won the 2016 Argentine Primera División title with Lanús
- Named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2017
- Selected to the MLS Best XI in both 2017 and 2018
- Won the MLS Cup with Atlanta United in 2018
- Transferred to Newcastle United for £21 million, a record fee for an MLS player at the time
Did You Know?
- 01.Almirón's £21 million transfer to Newcastle United in January 2019 set a new record as the highest fee ever paid for a player leaving Major League Soccer at that time.
- 02.He scored his first Premier League goal in October 2019 against Crystal Palace after a widely publicized scoring drought that had attracted attention from media and fans across England.
- 03.Almirón won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award in 2017 and followed it by making the MLS Best XI in both 2017 and 2018, a level of consistency rarely seen from a player in just two seasons.
- 04.He played a role in Atlanta United's MLS Cup triumph in 2018, which came in only the club's second season of existence, one of the fastest championship wins by an expansion side in MLS history.
- 05.Almirón has appeared at four separate Copa América tournaments for Paraguay, in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024, making him one of the most experienced players in the national team's recent history.