Felipe Carballo Bio
Felipe Ignacio Carballo Ares (born 4 October 1996) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. He currently represents Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers, on loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Grêmio. Standing 1.77 m (5 ft 9½ in) tall, Carballo has built his reputation as a ball-winning central player with a growing influence in attack. Across his career, he has competed in Uruguay, Spain, Brazil, and the United States.
Born and raised in Montevideo, Carballo came through the academy of Club Nacional de Football, one of Uruguay’s most successful clubs. He has since developed into a combative, tactically disciplined midfielder capable of contributing goals from deep positions. His progression through Nacional, Sevilla, Grêmio, and Major League Soccer has marked him as one of Uruguay’s reliable modern midfielders.
Early Life and Background
Felipe Ignacio Carballo Ares was born on 4 October 1996 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Montevideo, the capital and largest city of Uruguay, has long been a hotbed for South American football talent, and Carballo grew up immersed in the sport’s local culture. From a young age, he developed a passion for football, influenced heavily by Nacional’s storied tradition in Uruguayan football.
Carballo joined the youth ranks of Club Nacional de Football, working his way through the club’s academy system. Nacional, one of Uruguay’s most decorated clubs, provided him with the foundational training and competitive environment necessary to progress toward a professional career. His development within Nacional’s academy shaped his understanding of the defensive midfield role, emphasizing tactical awareness, positioning, and ball distribution.
Path to Soccer
Carballo’s path to professional soccer accelerated when he was promoted to Nacional’s first team in early 2016. He made his senior debut on 28 February 2016, starting in a 0–2 away defeat to Plaza Colonia in the Uruguayan Primera División. Shortly after, on 10 April 2016, he netted his first professional goal, scoring Nacional’s third in a 4–2 away victory over Defensor Sporting.
After contributing ten appearances during the 2016 season, Carballo briefly returned to the youth setup before being reintegrated into the first team in 2017. His performances in the Uruguayan top flight attracted international attention, leading to a move to Spanish football. On 29 August 2017, Sevilla FC signed him on a five-year contract, immediately assigning him to the reserve team, Sevilla B, which competed in Spain’s Segunda División B.
Felipe Carballo Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Carballo’s earliest professional spell came at Nacional between 2016 and 2017, where he established himself as a promising defensive midfielder. Although he began as a first-team starter, contributing to ten league matches during the 2016 season, his role fluctuated as he balanced first-team duties with continued youth development. He returned to Nacional’s first team in 2017, showcasing improved consistency and composure in midfield.
This two-year stint in Uruguay’s Primera División gave Carballo valuable experience at the top level. His performances during this formative period were enough to attract the attention of European clubs, culminating in his transfer to Sevilla FC midway through 2017.
Sevilla B Breakthrough (2017–2021)
On 29 August 2017, Carballo joined Sevilla FC, signing a five-year contract reportedly worth around 2.5 million euros. He was assigned to the reserve side, Sevilla B, which competed in Segunda División B, the third tier of Spanish football. Playing regularly for the reserves allowed him to adapt to the tactical and physical demands of European football.
During his time at Sevilla, Carballo also gained experience in the Copa Libertadores through loan spells back at Nacional. On 23 April 2019, he scored his first Copa Libertadores goal, helping Nacional secure a 1–0 away victory over Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte. Later, on 12 March 2020, he netted another decisive goal in a 1–0 win over Estudiantes de Mérida at Estadio Gran Parque Central, further demonstrating his ability to perform on the continental stage.
Return to Nacional (2021–2022)
On 9 January 2021, Carballo signed a permanent three-year contract with Nacional, marking his return to the club where his career began. His return coincided with a dominant period for Nacional in Uruguayan football, and he quickly became a key figure in their midfield engine room.
During the 2022 season, Carballo enjoyed one of the most productive campaigns of his career. He made 35 league appearances, scoring eight goals, and was instrumental in Nacional’s title-winning campaign that delivered the club’s 49th Uruguayan Primera División championship. In December 2022, he was named the Uruguayan Primera División Player of the Year, recognition of his consistency and impact across the season.
Grêmio Era (2023–Present)
On 20 December 2022, Brazilian club Grêmio announced the signing of Carballo on a contract running through 2026. He made his Grêmio debut on 17 January 2023, entering as a substitute in a 4–1 victory over São Luiz during the 2023 Recopa Gaúcha. On 5 March 2023, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Internacional in the Campeonato Gaúcho, before netting his first Campeonato Brasileiro Série A goal on 27 August 2023 in a 3–0 victory over Cruzeiro.
In August 2024, Grêmio loaned Carballo to Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, where he quickly adapted to the North American league. On 29 October 2024, he scored his first goal for New York in a 1–0 victory over Columbus Crew during the MLS Cup Playoffs. Later, on 23 November 2024, he opened the scoring in a 2–0 win over New York City FC, helping Red Bulls advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defensive midfielder, Carballo combines positional discipline with an ability to contribute offensively. He excels in breaking up opposition play, reading the game, and distributing the ball efficiently from deep areas. His comfort arriving late into the box has allowed him to contribute important goals, particularly in knockout competitions such as the Copa Libertadores and MLS Cup Playoffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Carballo’s most notable career moments are his first Copa Libertadores goal for Nacional in 2019, his role in Nacional’s 49th league title in 2022, and being named Uruguayan Primera División Player of the Year later that December. His transition to Brazilian football with Grêmio in 2023, followed by his goalscoring impact in Major League Soccer, marks him as a player capable of performing across multiple top South American leagues.
Felipe Carballo Career Wins
Throughout his career, Felipe Carballo has contributed to several major team successes and earned significant individual recognition. His most prominent achievement came during the 2022 Uruguayan Primera División season, when he helped Nacional secure their 49th league title. That same year, he was named the Uruguayan Primera División Player of the Year, the highest individual honor of his career to date.
Uruguayan Primera División Highlights
Carballo’s standout league season came in 2022, when he featured in 35 matches and scored eight goals for Nacional. His performances that year were central to Nacional’s title-winning campaign and earned him the league’s Player of the Year award. He also won a Uruguayan Primera División title during his earlier spell at Nacional between 2021 and 2022.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his domestic league achievements, Carballo contributed to Nacional’s Copa Libertadores campaigns during loan spells from Sevilla, scoring decisive goals in 2019 and 2020. He also played a role in Grêmio’s 2023 Recopa Gaúcha, marking his early silverware in Brazilian football.
Felipe Carballo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Felipe Carballo was raised in Montevideo, Uruguay, a city with a deep-rooted football culture. Limited public information is available regarding his immediate family or specific relatives involved in professional football.
Personal Life
Carballo maintains a professional football career that has taken him across Uruguay, Spain, Brazil, and the United States. Public details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children are not widely documented. He continues to focus on his development as a midfielder competing at the top levels of South American and North American football.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Felipe Carballo began the year completing his loan spell at New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. After featuring in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs and helping Red Bulls reach the Eastern Conference Final, Carballo continued to play a role in the squad during the early months of 2025. However, Red Bulls opted not to renew his loan in July 2025.
Following the end of his New York loan, Carballo continued his stay in Major League Soccer by joining Portland Timbers on 14 August 2025, again on loan from Grêmio. The move provided him with a fresh opportunity to establish himself within a new squad and remain active in competitive football throughout the rest of the 2025 MLS season.
Looking ahead, Carballo’s performances at Portland Timbers will likely influence discussions regarding his long-term future at Grêmio, where his contract runs until 2026. His ability to adapt quickly to a new team and contribute both defensively and offensively will remain key factors in determining his next career steps.