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Article Summary
Borja Iglesias is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Celta Vigo and the Spain national team. Born Borja Iglesias Quintas in Santiago de Compostela on 17 January 1993, he developed at Celta’s academy before making his name at Real Zaragoza and Espanyol. He joined Real Betis in 2019, making 181 appearances, scoring 52 goals, and winning the 2022 Copa del Rey. After a loan at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, he returned permanently to Celta in 2025, scoring 18 goals in the 2025/26 season. Iglesias made his Spain debut in 2022 and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he won the tournament as part of Spain’s squad. He is in a relationship with influencer and comedian María Valero. His net worth is estimated at approximately $5 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
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Borja Iglesias Quintas |
| Born | 17 January 1993 |
| Birthplace | Santiago de Compostela, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Age | 33 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.87 m – 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Position | Striker |
| Current Club | Celta Vigo |
| Jersey Number | 7 |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Partner | María Valero |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Borja Iglesias Quintas was born on 17 January 1993 in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Growing up in the historic Galician capital, Iglesias was immersed in football from a young age. He began his youth career with local club Compostela in 2003, spending four years there before moving to Valencia‘s academy in 2007. He later played for Roda and Villarreal‘s youth teams before joining Celta’s academy.
At Celta, Iglesias played mainly for the B team, making 144 appearances and scoring 73 goals between 2013 and 2017. His development at the club laid the foundation for his professional career, though he made only one first-team appearance for Celta during this period.
Club Career
Real Zaragoza (Loan, 2017-2018)
In 2017, Iglesias was loaned to Real Zaragoza in the Spanish second division. It was a breakout season: he scored 22 goals in 39 appearances, establishing himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the division and earning a move to La Liga.
Espanyol (2018-2019)
Iglesias signed for RCD Espanyol in 2018. In his single season with the Catalan club, he made 37 La Liga appearances and scored 17 goals, proving he could perform at the highest level.
Real Betis (2019-2025)
In the summer of 2019, Iglesias joined Real Betis. Over the next five seasons, he became a fan favorite in Seville. He made 181 official appearances, scoring 52 goals and providing 12 assists. In La Liga specifically, he represented Betis 142 times, netting 39 goals and setting up seven more.
His most memorable achievement at Betis came in the 2022 Copa del Rey. Iglesias played a decisive role in the club’s triumph, scoring in both legs of the semi-finals against Rayo Vallecano and in the final against Valencia CF.
Bayer Leverkusen (Loan, 2024)
In 2024, Iglesias was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, where he reunited with his former coach Xabi Alonso. Though he made only seven league appearances without scoring, Iglesias later reflected positively on the experience: “It was fantastic, a moment of professional and emotional cleansing. Thanks to that, my connection with football is much healthier.”
Return to Celta (2024-Present)
After his Leverkusen loan, Iglesias returned to Spain, joining Celta on loan for the 2024/25 season before completing a permanent move. His return to his boyhood club has been a resurgent one. In the 2025/26 season, he scored 18 goals in all competitions, becoming Celta’s top scorer and earning his first-ever World Cup call-up.
International Career
Iglesias made his senior debut for the Spain national team in September 2022. He has earned 6 caps for Spain.
In 2022, despite being La Liga’s top-scoring Spanish player with 20 goals, Iglesias was left out of Spain’s World Cup squad for Qatar. He later dropped out of the national team picture and missed Euro 2024, where Spain became champions. He only returned to the squad in October 2025 thanks to his outstanding scoring run after rejoining Celta.
2026 FIFA World Cup
On 25 May 2026, Celta announced that Iglesias had been called up by Spain for the 2026 World Cup. It was his first-ever World Cup appearance.
At the tournament, Iglesias was deployed sparingly, making only three appearances for a total of 73 minutes. Spain went on to win the World Cup, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final on 19 July 2026. Before the final, Iglesias made headlines with his humorous comments about potentially having to shake US President Donald Trump’s hand during the trophy presentation, jokingly saying he would do so to avoid going to prison.
Major Achievements
Real Betis
- Copa del Rey: 2021-22
Spain National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
Individual
Personal Life
Iglesias has been in a relationship with María Valero since 2022. Valero is a Valencian comedian, influencer, and content creator. The couple met during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which Iglesias did not attend, leading Valero to joke that their relationship began because he wasn’t called up to the World Cup. In October 2025, they took a significant step by purchasing a home together in Santiago de Compostela.
At the start of 2024, Iglesias seriously considered retiring from professional football, feeling overwhelmed and saturated. However, he returned to Celta, where he experienced a personal and professional revival. He has spoken openly about social issues, including homophobia, racism, and the Jenni Hermoso case.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Borja Iglesias is a World Cup winner with Spain. His World Cup victory has complicated transfer talks, with Celta reportedly raising his asking price.
Club América of Mexico’s Liga MX has expressed strong interest in signing Iglesias. He has been linked with a move to the Mexican giants, with reports suggesting América are willing to pay close to $8 million. However, Iglesias has stated he is happy at Celta but has left the door open to a move.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| Transfer window | America’s interest is ongoing |
| Celta pre-season | Begins after World Cup duty |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2025/26 | Celta Top Scorer | Won (18 goals) |
| 2021/22 | Copa del Rey | Won (with Real Betis) |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Born in Santiago de Compostela, Spain |
| 2013-2017 | Celta B (144 apps, 73 goals) |
| 2014-2018 | Celta (1 app) |
| 2017-2018 | Real Zaragoza (loan) (39 apps, 22 goals) |
| 2018-2019 | Espanyol (37 apps, 17 goals) |
| 2019-2025 | Real Betis (181 apps, 52 goals, 12 assists) |
| 2022 | Won Copa del Rey with Real Betis |
| 2022 | Made Spain debut in September |
| 2024 | Loaned to Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2024-2025 | Celta (loan) |
| 2025 | Permanent move to Celta |
| 2026 | World Cup winner with Spain |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal C | 2012-2013 | 29 | 11 |
| Celta B | 2013-2017 | 144 | 73 |
| Celta | 2014-2018 | 1 | 0 |
| Real Zaragoza (loan) | 2017-2018 | 39 | 22 |
| Espanyol | 2018-2019 | 37 | 17 |
| Real Betis | 2019-2025 | 142 | 39 |
| Bayer Leverkusen (loan) | 2024 | 7 | 0 |
| Celta | 2024-Present | 71 | 25 |
International Caps: 6 | International Goals: 0
FAQs
How old is Borja Iglesias?
Borja Iglesias was born on 17 January 1993 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, which makes him 33 years old as of 2026.
What is Borja Iglesias’s net worth?
Borja Iglesias’s net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million as of 2026. He earns approximately €56,154 per week at Celta Vigo.
Which club does Borja Iglesias play for?
Borja Iglesias plays as a striker for La Liga club Celta Vigo. He wears the number 7 shirt.
Did Borja Iglesias win the World Cup?
Yes. Iglesias was part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, making three substitute appearances totaling 73 minutes.
What trophies has Borja Iglesias won?
Iglesias has won the Copa del Rey with Real Betis (2022) and the FIFA World Cup with Spain (2026).
Is Borja Iglesias married?
Borja Iglesias is not married but has been in a relationship with influencer and comedian María Valero since 2022.
What is Borja Iglesias’s height?
Borja Iglesias stands at approximately 1.87-1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches).
What position does Borja Iglesias play?
Borja Iglesias plays as a striker. He is right-footed.
Where is Borja Iglesias from?
Borja Iglesias was born in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
What is Borja Iglesias’s contract situation?
Iglesias is under contract with Celta Vigo until June 2027, with an option to extend for an additional year.
Key Takeaways
- Borja Iglesias is a Spanish striker born on 17 January 1993 in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia.
- He developed at Celta’s academy and played for Zaragoza, Espanyol, and Real Betis, where he won the 2022 Copa del Rey.
- He had a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso and returned permanently to Celta in 2025.
- He made his Spain debut in 2022 and was selected for the 2026 World Cup, winning the tournament with Spain.
- He has been in a relationship with influencer María Valero since 2022.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million.
Conclusion
Borja Iglesias’s journey from the youth academies of Galicia to lifting the World Cup is a story of perseverance, resilience, and second chances. After being overlooked for Qatar 2022 despite a prolific season and even considering retirement at the start of 2024, he fought back to form. His return to Celta sparked a personal and professional revival, leading to 18 goals in the 2025/26 season and a long-awaited World Cup call-up. Though he played a limited role in Spain’s triumph, his place in the squad was a testament to his character and determination. Now a World Cup winner at 33, Borja Iglesias has proven that it is never too late to achieve your dreams.
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