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Article Summary
Exequiel Palacios is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the Argentina national team. Born in Famaillá, Tucumán, on 5 October 1998, Palacios came through the youth ranks at River Plate, making his senior debut in 2015 and winning the Copa Libertadores in 2018. He joined Bayer Leverkusen in January 2020 and was instrumental in the club’s historic Bundesliga title win in 2023/24. Palacios has been a key figure for Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. He was named in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad to defend their title. He is currently in a relationship with Yamila Gaetano. His net worth is estimated at approximately £26.97 million ($33 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
Exequiel Alejandro Palacios was born on 5 October 1998 in Famaillá, a city in the province of Tucumán, Argentina. Although born in northern Argentina, Palacios moved to the capital Buenos Aires when he was just two months old. It was there that he would begin his footballing journey.
Growing up in Buenos Aires, Palacios joined the youth academy of River Plate, one of Argentina’s most historic and successful clubs. He developed through the ranks at River, earning a reputation as a combative and technically gifted midfielder. His nickname, “Tucu”, affectionately references his region of birth.
Club Career
River Plate (2015-2020)
Palacios made his senior debut for River Plate on 8 November 2015 against Newell’s Old Boys, just a month after turning 17. He gradually became a regul”Tucu,”he River Plate midfield, particularly during the 2018/19 campaign.
His breakthrough came when he started every knockout match as River Plate won the 2018 Copa Libertadores against arch-rivals Boca Juniors. He was named in the 2018 Equipo Ideal de América by Uruguayan newspaper El País. A fractured fibula kept him out at the start of 2019, but he recovered to lift the Recopa Sudamericana and later the Copa Argentina in his final game for the club. He left River Plate having made 77 competitive appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists.
Bayer Leverkusen (2020-Present)
In January 2020, Palacios joined Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal. He made his Bundesliga debut on 23 February 2020. Initially, injuries, including a fractured vertebra suffered on international duty, hampered his progress.
However, Palacios established himself as a key player for Leverkusen. In the 2023/24 season, he was instrumental in helping the club win their first Bundesliga title in history. On 3 October 2025, Palacios signed a contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen until 2030. Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said, “Since his signing in 2020, Palacios has become a pillar. He has been one of the most outstanding players in recent years.” Palacios has made 103 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 11 goals.
International Career
Palacios represented Argentina at the U17 level in 2015, playing 10 matches and scoring one goal. He was part of the Argentina U17 squad that won silver at the 2014 South American Games and finished runner-up at the 2015 South American U17 Championship.
He made his senior debut for the Argentina national team in 2018. Palacios has been a regular fixture in Lionel Scaloni’s squads, winning the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he played 47 minutes. He also played a role in Argentina’s 2024 Copa América triumph.
In May 2026, Palacios was named in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad to defend their title. Ahead of the tournament, Palacios told TyC Sports: “I feel more mature than four years ago. I also arrive at the World Cup in better physical shape.” As of March 2025, he has earned 34 caps for Argentina.
Major Achievements
Palacios’ major honors include:
River Plate
- Copa Libertadores: 2018
- Recopa Sudamericana: 2019
- Copa Argentina: 2019
Bayer Leverkusen
- Bundesliga: 2023/24
Argentina National Team
- Copa América: 2021, 2024
- Finalissima: 2022
- FIFA World Cup: 2022
Personal Life
Palacios was previously in a relationship with Yésica Frías. Following their separation, he began a relationship with Yamila Gaetano. The couple have kept a relatively low profile, with Gaetano maintaining a private Instagram account. She has been based in Europe with Palacios during his career at Bayer Leverkusen.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Exequiel Palacios is competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. He was named in Argentina’s 26-man squad for the tournament. He featured as a substitute in Argentina’s quarter-final match against Switzerland. Palacios is under contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2030 following his extension in October 2025.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 FIFA World Cup | Defending champion with Argentina |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Copa América | Won |
| 2024 | Bundesliga | Won (with Bayer Leverkusen) |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup | Won |
| 2022 | Finalissima | Won |
| 2021 | Copa América | Won |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Born in Famaillá, Tucumán, Argentina |
| 2015 | Made senior debut for River Plate |
| 2018 | Won Copa Libertadores with River Plate |
| 2018 | Made senior debut for Argentina |
| 2020 | Signed for Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2021 | Won Copa América with Argentina |
| 2022 | Won Finalissima and World Cup with Argentina |
| 2024 | Won Copa América with Argentina; won Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2025 | Signed contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen until 2030 |
| 2026 | Named in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad |
Career Statistics
International Caps: 34 (as of March 2025)
FAQs
How old is Exequiel Palacios?
Exequiel Palacios was born on 5 October 1998 in Famaillá, Tucumán, Argentina, which makes him 27 years old as of 2026.
What is Exequiel Palacios’ net worth?
Exequiel Palacios’ net worth is estimated to be approximately £26.97 million ($33 million) as of 2026. He earns £124,000 per week at Bayer Leverkusen.
Which club does Exequiel Palacios play for?
Exequiel Palacios plays as a central midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. He has been with the club since January 2020 and signed a contract extension until 2030.
Has Exequiel Palacios won the World Cup?
Yes. Palacios was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Is Exequiel Palacios going to the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Palacios was named in Argentina’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.
What is Exequiel Palacios’ height?
Exequiel Palacios stands at 1.77 meters (5 feet 10 inches).
What trophies has Exequiel Palacios won?
Palacios has won the Copa América (2021, 2024), Finalissima (2022), FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa Libertadores (2018), Recopa Sudamericana (2019), Copa Argentina (2019), and the Bundesliga (2023/24).
What is Exequiel Palacios’ position?
Exequiel Palacios plays as a central midfielder.
What is Exequiel Palacios’ jersey number?
Exequiel Palacios wears the number 25 jersey for Bayer Leverkusen.
What is Exequiel Palacios’ nickname?
Palacios is affectionately known as “Tucu” in reference to his birthplace, the province of Tucumán.
Key Takeaways
- Exequiel Palacios is an Argentine central midfielder born on 5 October 1998 in Famaillá, Tucumán.
- He began his career at River Plate, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2018.
- He joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 and won the Bundesliga title in 2023/24.
- He has been a key figure for Argentina, winning the 2021 and 2024 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- He was named in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad to defend their title.
- He signed a contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen until 2030.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately £26.97 million ($33 million).
Conclusion
Exequiel Palacios’ journey from the streets of Famaillá to the pinnacle of world football is a story of perseverance and talent. He overcame injuries and early career setbacks to become a key player for both Bayer Leverkusen and the Argentina national team. His combative midfield style, technical ability, and tactical intelligence have made him an indispensable part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad. A World Cup winner and Bundesliga champion, Palacios is now competing in his second World Cup, aiming to defend Argentina’s crown. At 27, with a contract at Bayer Leverkusen until 2030, his best years are still ahead of him.
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