Miguel Almirón Profile, Stats and Career
Paraguay's number 10 and Atlanta United captain — a former Newcastle United Premier League star leading La Albirroja at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in his first senior tournament.
By
Muhammad Ahmed
Published June 2026Miguel Almirón is a 32-year-old Paraguayan attacking midfielder and the creative heart of Paraguay's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad. The Atlanta United captain and number 10 is one of the most recognisable Paraguayan footballers of his generation, having spent seven seasons at Newcastle United in the English Premier League before returning to MLS in January 2025. This profile covers his age, career history, club stats, international record, and his role leading Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup.
Born in San Pablo, Paraguay, Almirón developed through Cerro Porteño's academy before Lanús in Argentina and then Atlanta United in MLS gave him the platform to emerge as one of South American football's most dynamic attacking midfielders. His £21 million transfer to Newcastle United in 2019 made him a Premier League fixture for six seasons. He now captains Atlanta United under Tata Martino and will lead Paraguay in their first World Cup since 2010.
Quick Answer
Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala is a Paraguayan professional attacking midfielder born on 10 February 1994 in San Pablo, Paraguay. He plays for Atlanta United in MLS and is Paraguay's primary attacking midfielder at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Almirón joined Newcastle United for £21 million in 2019 and returned to Atlanta United in January 2025. He has 73+ caps for Paraguay and was named Paraguayan Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2022.
Early Life and Background
Miguel Almirón was born on 10 February 1994 in San Pablo, Paraguay — a small city in the Misiones Department near the Argentine border. He joined Cerro Porteño's youth academy in Asunción in 2008 and spent four years developing there before making his senior debut in 2013. His technical quality and explosive pace made him one of the most sought-after young players to come out of the Paraguayan football system in the 2010s.
Cerro Porteño provided his senior platform, and from there Lanús signed him in 2015 for the Argentine Primera División. His one season in Buenos Aires caught the attention of Atlanta United, the newly formed MLS franchise backed by a significant ownership group, who signed him ahead of their inaugural 2017 season. What followed was one of the most remarkable rises in MLS history.
From MLS to the Premier League and back
Almirón's two seasons at Atlanta United (2017–18) were historic. He scored 9 goals and provided 14 assists in 2017, and scored 12 and added 14 assists in 2018 as Atlanta won the MLS Cup. His performances attracted Premier League interest and Newcastle United paid £21 million in January 2019 — a club record at the time. He spent six seasons at St. James' Park, becoming a fan favourite with 13 Premier League goals across 148 appearances.
His return to Atlanta United in January 2025 reconnected him with the club where his career exploded. Under Tata Martino, he was named captain and led the team with 13 goal contributions in 2025 (6 goals, 7 assists). He will carry that momentum into Paraguay's Group D matches at the 2026 World Cup against the United States, Türkiye, and Australia.
Miguel Almirón Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 February 1994 |
| Age | 32 |
| Place of birth | San Pablo, Paraguay |
| Nationality | Paraguay |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in / 1.75 m |
| Weight | ~150 lbs / 68 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Winger |
| Preferred foot | Left |
| Current club | Atlanta United |
| Jersey number | 10 |
Almirón wears the number 10 for both Atlanta United and Paraguay — the shirt of the playmaker. At 32 he enters the 2026 World Cup as one of Paraguay's most experienced international players, having appeared in 15 of 18 qualifying matches and contributing 4 goals and 5 assists across the cycle.
Transfer News and Market Value
Almirón is under contract at Atlanta United through the 2027 MLS season with a club option for 2028. As a Designated Player, his MLS salary was reported at approximately $4.8 million guaranteed annually in 2025 — one of the highest in the league.
His Newcastle United contract (2019–2025) reportedly paid approximately £80,000–£100,000 per week at peak, consistent with an established Premier League starter at a top-half club. Total Premier League earnings across six seasons are estimated at approximately £20–25 million gross.
Transfer market value is estimated at approximately €5.5 million as of mid-2026, reflecting his age and the domestic MLS market rather than a potential European return.
Post-World Cup plans are unclear. His Atlanta contract through 2027 provides financial security, but a strong tournament could attract interest from a franchise-player role in another MLS market or a final stint in a European domestic league.
Salary and Net Worth
Miguel Almirón's Designated Player salary at Atlanta United is approximately $4.8 million annually, placing him among the highest-paid players in MLS. His contract runs through 2027 with a club option for 2028.
At Newcastle United, his estimated weekly wage peaked at approximately £100,000 per week, with six seasons of Premier League earnings totalling approximately £25–30 million gross.
His career transfer total is significant — Lanús to Atlanta United (reported fee), Atlanta United to Newcastle for £21 million, and Newcastle to Atlanta (return deal). Total transfer value across his career exceeds £30 million.
Paraguay national team compensation includes the full Designated Player exemption from FIFA windows, with Paraguay's federation distributing World Cup FIFA prize pool payments to all squad members.
Named Paraguayan Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2022, Almirón has attracted commercial partnerships including Nike sponsorship through Atlanta United and limited regional endorsements in Paraguay and the United States.
Total career earnings are estimated at approximately $50–60 million USD gross across Cerro Porteño, Lanús, Atlanta United (first stint), Newcastle United, and Atlanta United (second stint).
Estimated net worth is approximately $25–35 million USD, reflecting his prolonged Premier League earnings and smart financial management reported in interviews.
Miguel Almirón Club Career
Almirón made his senior debut at Cerro Porteño in 2013 and spent two seasons establishing himself in Paraguay's top flight before Lanús signed him for the 2015–16 Argentine Primera División season. His one Argentine season confirmed his readiness for a higher-profile environment.
Atlanta United signed him for their inaugural 2017 season and he became the club's most important player across two seasons. In 2017 he scored 9 goals and provided 14 assists — making him a finalist for MLS MVP in the league's most competitive season to that point. In 2018 he improved further: 12 goals, 14 assists, and an MLS Cup winners' medal as Atlanta defeated Portland Timbers 2–0 in the final in front of 73,019 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Newcastle United paid £21 million in January 2019. His six seasons on Tyneside produced 148 Premier League appearances and 13 goals, including a memorable strike against Manchester City in the 2022–23 Champions League qualification season. He became a cult hero at St. James' Park before his contract expired in 2025.
His return to Atlanta United under Tata Martino — the same coach who guided Argentina at the 2014 World Cup — reconnected him with the environment where he had flourished. Leading the club with 13 goal contributions in 2025 while playing 15 of 18 World Cup qualifying matches shows he remains at a high level heading into the World Cup.
Club Career Stats
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | Cerro Porteño | 50+ | 10 |
| 2015–2016 | Lanús | 30+ | 5 |
| 2017–2019 | Atlanta United (1st stint) | 70+ | 21 |
| 2019–2025 | Newcastle United | 200+ | 16 |
| 2025–present | Atlanta United (2nd stint) | 40+ | 7 |
2026 World Cup Qualifying — Paraguay (Almirón)
| Matches | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 of 18 | 4 | 5 | Most matches played of any Paraguay midfielder |
International Career
Miguel Almirón made his senior debut for Paraguay in September 2015 and has earned 73+ caps across a decade of international football. He has represented Paraguay at Copa América 2015, 2016 Centenario, 2019, 2021, and 2024, and played in four consecutive World Cup qualifying cycles.
He captained Paraguay for the first time in a friendly against Japan on 2 June 2022 — a role he has held intermittently since, including captaining the side against Mexico in a friendly in November 2025. His leadership in the dressing room and on the pitch has been described by coach Alfaro as one of the key factors in Paraguay's successful qualification.
The 2026 World Cup is Almirón's first FIFA World Cup appearance as a senior player. At 32 it is likely to be his only one. He enters the tournament as Paraguay's most experienced and most recognisable player — a player who has competed at the highest levels of club football for a decade and is finally getting the chance to represent his country on football's biggest stage.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | 73+ | 9 | Copa América 2015, Centenario, 2019, 2021, 2024; WC Qualifying 2018, 2022, 2026; 2026 FIFA World Cup |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| MLS Cup | 1 | 2018 (Atlanta United) |
| Paraguayan Footballer of the Year | 2 | 2017, 2022 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Miguel Almirón is an attacking midfielder and winger whose best qualities are explosive acceleration, close control in tight spaces, and the ability to beat defenders at pace before cutting inside or crossing. At Newcastle, he evolved from a wide attacker into a more complete central midfielder capable of pressing, recovering, and combining through congested midfields.
At 32, his pace has reduced from its peak but his positioning and reading of the game have become more sophisticated. He creates chances through intelligent movement, quick combination play, and the threat of shooting from distance — qualities that remain effective at international level even as his raw speed decreases.
Leadership at the 2026 World Cup
Beyond his technical qualities, Almirón's most important contribution to Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup may be his mentality and leadership. A player who has competed across MLS, the Premier League, and CONMEBOL qualifying — winning MLS Cups, starting Champions League matches, and captaining his national team — brings a composure and experience that sets the standard for younger players around him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Miguel Almirón's career is one of the most celebrated in Paraguayan football — from San Pablo to Cerro Porteño, Lanús, MLS, the Premier League, and now the 2026 World Cup. His journey from South America's domestic leagues to seven years in England and back to MLS has been defined by high-level performance and consistent leadership.
At 32, the 2026 World Cup represents the pinnacle of his international career — the moment Paraguay's number 10 finally gets to lead La Albirroja on football's biggest stage. Whether Paraguay advance from Group D will depend significantly on his ability to create and lead in three matches across California in June 2026.
