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Article Summary
Gonzalo Montiel is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Argentine Primera División club River Plate and the Argentina national team. Born in Virrey del Pino, Buenos Aires, on 1 January 1997, Montiel rose through the ranks at River Plate, making his professional debut in 2016 and winning the Copa Libertadores in 2018. He moved to Sevilla in 2021, winning the UEFA Europa League in 2023, and had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest before returning to River Plate in January 2025. Montiel is best known for scoring the winning penalty in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France, securing Argentina’s third World Cup title. He has also won the 2021 Copa América and the 2024 Copa América. He was selected for the 2026 World Cup as part of Argentina’s squad. He has been in a long-term relationship with Karina Nacucchio since 2018, and they have two children. His net worth is estimated at approximately £6.1 million ($7.6 million).
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Gonzalo Ariel Montiel was born on 1 January 1997 in Virrey del Pino, a locality in González Catán, La Matanza Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He is the son of Juan “Tito” Montiel, who worked as a bricklayer, and Marisa Montiel, who worked as a house cleaner. He has a sister named Jacqueline.
Montiel’s childhood was not characterised by abundance. He grew up in a humble household and, as a child, helped his grandfather, Luis, sell fruit on the streets to support the family. Despite these hardships, Montiel developed a deep love for football and joined River Plate’s academy at a young age.
Club Career
River Plate (2016-2021)
Montiel began his professional career with River Plate, making his senior debut in 2016. He quickly established himself as a key player under the guidance of manager Marcelo Gallardo.
During his first spell at River Plate, Montiel played 139 matches and won numerous trophies. He was part of the squad that won the Copa Libertadores in 2018, defeating Superclásico rivals Boca Juniors in the final. He also won the 2016 and 2019 Recopa Sudamericana, three Copa Argentinas (2016, 2017, and 2019), the 2017 and 2019 Supercopa Argentina, and the 2021 Argentine Primera División title.
Sevilla (2021-2025)
In August 2021, Montiel joined Sevilla FC for a transfer fee of €11 million. He made 52 league appearances for the club and scored one goal.
His time at Sevilla was highlighted by winning the UEFA Europa League in the 2022-23 season.
Nottingham Forest (Loan, 2023-2024)
For the 2023-24 season, Montiel was loaned to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest. He made 14 league appearances for the club.
Return to River Plate (2025-Present)
In January 2025, Montiel returned to River Plate on a permanent transfer, signing a contract until 2028. He became the fourth 2022 World Cup winner to play for River Plate, joining Franco Armani, Germán Pezzella, and Marcos Acuña.
International Career
Montiel made his senior debut for the Argentina national team on 22 March 2019 in a friendly match against Venezuela.
He was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2021 Copa América and the 2024 Copa América.
2022 FIFA World Cup: The Hero of Qatar
Montiel’s most iconic moment came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was selected in Argentina’s 26-man squad for the tournament.
In the final against France, Montiel committed a 115th-minute penalty that allowed France to equalise at 3-2. However, he redeemed himself by scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout, securing Argentina’s 4-2 victory and their third World Cup title. Reflecting on that moment, Montiel told AFA Estudio: “I thought of the sacrifices me and my family had to make growing up, but I was calm because I had the support of my teammates and coaches. I was going to hit it hard down the middle, but changed my mind at the last minute”.
2026 World Cup
In May 2026, Montiel was named in Argentina’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. As of July 2026, he has earned 40 caps for Argentina and scored 2 goals.
Major Achievements
Montiel’s trophy cabinet includes:
- Copa Libertadores (River Plate): 2018
- Recopa Sudamericana (River Plate): 2016, 2019
- Copa Argentina (River Plate): 2016, 2017, 2019
- Supercopa Argentina (River Plate): 2017, 2019
- Argentine Primera División (River Plate): 2021
- UEFA Europa League (Sevilla): 2022-23
- Copa América (Argentina): 2021, 2024
- FIFA World Cup (Argentina): 2022
Personal Life
Montiel has been in a relationship with Karina Nacucchio since 2018. The couple met through social media and spoke every day for two months before their first date in Palermo. Karina is a fitness influencer who maintains a relatively low public profile.
The couple have two children. Their first son, Thiago, was born in June 2024. Their second child, a daughter named Juanita, was born on 4 May 2026.
In December 2024, sexual assault charges filed against Montiel in 2019 were dropped after a judge ruled there was not enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Gonzalo Montiel is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. He has been selected as one of the defenders in Argentina’s 26-man squad.
Montiel has faced competition for the right-back position from Nahuel Molina, and both players are considered contenders for a starting spot in the knockout stages.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 FIFA World Cup | Selected as a defender in Argentina’s 26-man squad |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Copa América | Won |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup | Won |
| 2022 | Finalissima | Won |
| 2021 | Copa América | Won |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Born in Virrey del Pino, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 2016 | Made professional debut for River Plate |
| 2018 | Won Copa Libertadores with River Plate |
| 2019 | Made senior debut for Argentina on 22 March |
| 2021 | Joined Sevilla for €11 million; won Copa América with Argentina |
| 2022 | Won World Cup with Argentina; scored winning penalty in final |
| 2023-2024 | Loaned to Nottingham Forest |
| 2024 | Won Copa América with Argentina |
| 2025 | Returned to River Plate on permanent transfer |
| 2026 | Selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad |
Career Statistics
FAQs
How old is Gonzalo Montiel?
Gonzalo Montiel was born on 1 January 1997 in Virrey del Pino, Buenos Aires, Argentina, which makes him 29 years old as of 2026.
What is Gonzalo Montiel’s net worth?
Gonzalo Montiel’s net worth is estimated to be approximately £6.1 million ($7.6 million) as of 2026. He earns approximately €18,560 per week at River Plate.
Which club does Gonzalo Montiel play for?
Gonzalo Montiel plays as a right-back for Argentine Primera División club River Plate. He returned to the club in January 2025 after spells at Sevilla and Nottingham Forest.
Has Gonzalo Montiel won the World Cup?
Yes. Montiel was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored the winning penalty in the final shootout against France.
Is Gonzalo Montiel going to the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Montiel has been selected in Argentina’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup as a defender.
What is Gonzalo Montiel’s height?
Gonzalo Montiel stands at 1.75 metres (5 feet 9 inches).
What trophies has Gonzalo Montiel won?
Montiel has won the Copa Libertadores (2018), UEFA Europa League (2023), Copa América (2021, 2024), FIFA World Cup (2022), and multiple domestic titles with River Plate.
Is Gonzalo Montiel married?
Montiel is in a long-term relationship with Karina Nacucchio. The couple have been together since 2018 and have two children.
What is Gonzalo Montiel’s market value?
As of 2026, Montiel is valued at approximately €4.5-5 million by Transfermarkt.
What is Gonzalo Montiel’s position?
Gonzalo Montiel plays as a right-back.
Key Takeaways
- Gonzalo Montiel is an Argentine right-back born on 1 January 1997 in Virrey del Pino, Buenos Aires.
- He began his career at River Plate, making his debut in 2016 and winning the Copa Libertadores in 2018.
- He moved to Sevilla in 2021 for €11 million, winning the UEFA Europa League in 2023, and had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
- He returned to River Plate in January 2025, signing a contract until 2028.
- He is best known for scoring the winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup final against France.
- He has won two Copa América titles (2021, 2024) and has been selected for the 2026 World Cup.
- He has been in a relationship with Karina Nacucchio since 2018 and they have two children.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately £6.1 million ($7.6 million).
Conclusion
Gonzalo Montiel’s journey from selling fruit on the streets of Virrey del Pino to scoring the winning penalty in a World Cup final is one of football’s most remarkable stories. He has overcome humble beginnings and personal challenges to become a key figure for both River Plate and the Argentina national team. His redemption in the 2022 World Cup final, from conceding a penalty to scoring the decisive spot-kick, will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in Argentine football history. At 29, with two Copa América titles and a World Cup to his name, Montiel is preparing for his second World Cup appearance in 2026. With a growing family and a career that continues to flourish, Gonzalo Montiel has cemented his place in football folklore.
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