Miguel Almirón Bio
Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala, known professionally as Miguel Almirón, is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger. Born on 10 February 1994 in San Pablo, Paraguay, he currently represents Major League Soccer club Atlanta United and the Paraguay national team. Standing 1.74 m tall, Almirón has built a reputation as a creative, hard-working playmaker known for his movement, passing, and scoring ability from midfield.
Across his career, Almirón has played in South America, North America, and the Premier League, winning a domestic title in Argentina and an MLS Cup in the United States. After a high-profile spell in England with Newcastle United, he returned to Atlanta United in January 2025.
Early Life and Background
Miguel Almirón was born into an impoverished family in the San Pablo neighborhood of Asunción, Paraguay. His father, Ruben, worked 18-hour shifts as a security guard, while his mother, Sonia, worked in a supermarket. The seven members of his household slept in three bedrooms, and Almirón shared a bed with his mother until he was 18 years old.
He trained with Club 3 de Noviembre from the age of seven and later trialed with several other clubs, but coaches often considered him too frail to become a professional footballer. Rejected from Club Nacional for being too lightweight, Almirón eventually moved into the youth setup at Cerro Porteño, where he continued to develop despite early doubts about his physique. He did not play regularly at Cerro Porteño until he reached the under-17 side.
Path to Soccer
Almirón progressed through Cerro Porteño’s academy between 2008 and 2012 before breaking into the senior team in 2013. He represented Paraguay at the under-17 and under-20 levels, featuring in the 2013 South American Youth Football Championship in Argentina, where Paraguay finished as runners-up to Colombia. Later that year, he was called up for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where his country reached the last 16.
His strong form at youth level and with Cerro Porteño’s senior squad attracted attention from Argentine clubs, and in August 2015, he signed for Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División. Introduced slowly by manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto in his first season, Almirón emerged as a key figure the following year under Jorge Almirón, with whom he shares no family relation.
Miguel Almirón Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Almirón began his professional career with Cerro Porteño in 2013, establishing himself as a promising young attacker in Paraguayan football. Although reservations about his light frame persisted, his technical quality and work rate helped him earn regular minutes by his late teens.
His performances in Asunción drew interest from clubs in Argentina, setting the stage for his move to Lanús in 2015 and his transition into one of South America’s most competitive domestic leagues.
Lanús Breakthrough (2015–2016)
After settling into life at Lanús, Almirón came to the forefront during the shortened 2016 Argentine Primera División campaign. Deployed as an advanced central midfielder, he was pivotal in Lanús’ title win, scoring key goals against local rivals Banfield in the Clásico del Sur and later in the final against San Lorenzo.
A few months later, in August 2016, Almirón provided the assist for the only goal in Lanús’ Copa Bicentenario victory over Racing, capping a trophy-laden spell in Argentina. His form in Buenos Aires quickly alerted clubs in Major League Soccer.
Atlanta United Era (2016–2019)
On 5 December 2016, Almirón signed with expansion side Atlanta United FC as a Young Designated Player, with Atlanta paying a transfer fee of around $8 million to Lanús. He quickly became a central figure, described as the heartbeat of the team by veteran teammate Jeff Larentowicz. On 12 March 2017, he scored his first goals for the club with a brace in a 6–1 win over Minnesota United FC, then netted the second hat-trick in club history on 20 May against the Houston Dynamo.
Almirón joined the MLS All-Star Game on 2 August 2017 and was named to seven Teams of the Week during the regular season. He finished his first MLS campaign in the Best XI and was named Newcomer of the Year. In 2018, he was named MLS Player of the Month in April after recording five goals and two assists, and he ended the season in the MLS Best XI for a second straight year alongside Josef Martínez. Atlanta won MLS Cup 2018 against the Portland Timbers, and Almirón was included in the Team of the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Newcastle United Era (2019–2025)
On 31 January 2019, Almirón joined Premier League side Newcastle United for a reported fee of around £21 million, then a club record and a record transfer received by an MLS club. He made his Premier League debut on 11 February in a 1–1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and although he struggled to score early on, he helped the club avoid relegation. He registered 40 shots before scoring his first Premier League goal on 21 December 2019 in a 1–0 win over Crystal Palace, finishing his first Newcastle season with a club-best eight goals in all competitions.
Almirón’s influence grew in his later seasons at Newcastle. On 6 February 2021, he scored twice in a 3–2 home win over Southampton while covering 11.29 km, the most on his team. In October 2022, he scored six goals in six matches, including strikes against Fulham, Brentford, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa, earning the Premier League Player of the Month award for October 2022 and the Premier League Goal of the Month for his strike against Fulham. On 4 October 2023, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal, becoming the ninth Paraguayan to score in the competition and helping Newcastle beat Paris Saint-Germain 4–1. In March 2025, after his departure, he received a winners’ medal from Newcastle’s EFL Cup triumph.
Return to Atlanta United (2025–Present)
On 30 January 2025, Almirón rejoined Atlanta United, with the club paying $400,000 in general allocation money to Charlotte FC for his MLS discovery rights. His return was welcomed as a homecoming for one of the franchise’s foundational players.
Back in Atlanta, Almirón took on a leadership role within a young squad, providing experience from top-level European football. His familiar surroundings and strong connection with the fanbase offered a platform to reignite his career in Major League Soccer.
Driving Style and Strengths
Almirón is best known for his relentless work rate, clever movement off the ball, and ability to link midfield with attack. He combines close control and quick passing with a willingness to press opponents and make late runs into the penalty area. His engine allows him to cover large distances, and his finishing improved noticeably during his peak Newcastle spell, when he scored in bunches during the autumn of 2022.
Notable Events and Milestones
Almirón’s signature moments include scoring the second hat-trick in Atlanta United history, lifting the MLS Cup in 2018, and netting Newcastle’s first Champions League goal in over 20 years against Paris Saint-Germain in October 2023. He also became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new law prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontations, during Paraguay’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group match against Turkey.
Miguel Almirón Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Almirón grew up in a close-knit, working-class family in the San Pablo district of Asunción. His parents, Ruben and Sonia, made significant sacrifices to support his football dream, and he has credited his upbringing for instilling the humility and toughness that defined his career.
Personal Life
Almirón married his high school sweetheart, Alexia Notto, a dancer, Zumba instructor, and influencer, on 29 August 2016. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Francesco, on 6 June 2021. Almirón is also known for the Christian messages tattooed on his arms.
2025 Season Performance
Almirón’s 2025 campaign began with his return to Atlanta United in late January, where he was immediately integrated as a senior attacking option. With the MLS season underway, he offered a blend of creativity and goal threat that had been missing from the squad during his absence in England.
Beyond his club duties, Almirón represented Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting in the Group Stage match against the United States before being sent off in the next fixture against Turkey. His international commitments, combined with a return to familiar surroundings in Atlanta, shaped a busy and emotional 2025.
Looking ahead, Almirón is expected to remain a central figure for Atlanta United as the club builds around his experience, while continuing to feature prominently for Paraguay in World Cup qualifying and major tournaments.