Overview
Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala, born on 1 February 1994 in Asunción, Paraguay, is a professional footballer who has gained recognition for his explosive speed, tireless work ethic, and technical flair. Predominantly deployed as an attacking midfielder or a right-sided winger, Almirón's ability to carry the ball at pace and contribute both defensively and offensively has been a hallmark of his career. He is a key component of the Paraguay national team and has featured prominently for clubs across South America, North America, and Europe.
Position
Almirón's primary role is that of an attacking midfielder, often playing centrally behind a striker or on the right wing. His versatility allows him to adapt to various tactical setups, making him a valuable asset. When playing on the wing, he frequently cuts inside onto his stronger left foot, creating shooting opportunities or combining with teammates. In a central role, he excels at linking play, driving forward with the ball, and initiating attacks.
Identity
Almirón's footballing identity can be encapsulated as a dynamic, high-energy attacker. He is renowned for his relentless pressing from the front, often being among the players covering the most ground in a match. This tireless commitment, combined with his dribbling ability and sharp acceleration, positions him as a modern attacking player capable of influencing games in multiple phases. His technical skill set also includes good close control and the capacity to deliver incisive passes in the final third.
Career path
Miguel Almirón's journey in professional football began in his native Paraguay, before progressing through Argentina, the United States, and finally to the English Premier League.
Club Libertad
Almirón started his youth career at Club Cerro Porteño before moving to Club Libertad. He made his senior debut for Libertad in 2012. During his time at the club, he began to establish himself as a promising talent, contributing to their domestic success. He spent three seasons with the first team, featuring in 39 league matches and scoring 5 goals, as detailed on his Miguel Almirón Transfermarkt profile.
Lanús
In August 2015, Almirón moved to Argentina to join Lanús. His period at Lanús was highly successful, culminating in the club winning the Argentine Primera División title in 2016. Almirón was a pivotal player in their championship-winning campaign, showcasing his creative abilities and goal-scoring threat. He made 35 appearances for Lanús across all competitions, scoring 3 goals and providing numerous assists, solidifying his reputation as one of South America's brightest prospects, as documented by Soccerway's player statistics.
Atlanta United FC
Almirón's career took a significant turn in December 2016 when he signed with Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion side Atlanta United FC for a reported fee of $8 million. He quickly became a star in the league, forming a formidable attacking partnership with Josef Martínez and Héctor Villalba. In his debut season in 2017, he scored 9 goals and provided 14 assists, earning an MLS Best XI selection. The following year, in 2018, Almirón was instrumental in Atlanta United winning the MLS Cup, contributing 12 goals and 14 assists. His performances in MLS garnered significant attention from European clubs due to his consistent output and dynamic play, as reported by MLS Soccer's archives on Miguel Almirón.
Newcastle United
In January 2019, Almirón completed a move to Premier League club Newcastle United for a club-record fee at the time, estimated to be around £21 million. His transition to English football saw him adapt to the physicality and pace of the Premier League. Initially, he struggled to find the back of the net consistently, but his work rate and defensive contributions were always praised. Over the subsequent seasons, Almirón has grown into a crucial player for Newcastle, particularly under new ownership and management, contributing vital goals and assists and showcasing his improved end product, as noted by Transfermarkt's detailed career transfer history.
Playing style
Miguel Almirón's playing style is characterized by a blend of electrifying pace, technical dribbling, and an exceptional work rate, making him a challenging opponent for defenders and a valuable asset in both offensive and defensive transitions. He is primarily left-footed, which often sees him deployed on the right wing where he can cut inside and shoot or link up with teammates.
One of Almirón's most prominent attributes is his speed. He possesses rapid acceleration and top-end pace, which he utilizes effectively to break lines, make runs in behind defenses, and recover defensively. This allows him to be a constant threat on the counter-attack and an integral part of high-pressing systems. His dribbling ability is another key feature; he is adept at carrying the ball past defenders in tight spaces and driving forward into the final third, often drawing fouls in dangerous areas. FBref's player statistics for Miguel Almirón often highlight his high volume of progressive carries and successful dribbles per 90 minutes, demonstrating his ball-carrying prowess.
Beyond his attacking contributions, Almirón is known for his defensive work rate. He consistently tracks back, presses opponents, and contributes to winning the ball high up the pitch. This defensive diligence is a significant reason for his sustained inclusion in demanding tactical systems. His energy levels are consistently high throughout matches, allowing him to maintain intensity for the full 90 minutes. His capacity to cover significant ground is often reflected in his heatmaps from data providers like Sofascore's detailed player statistics, showing extensive movement across the midfield and wide areas.
While his finishing has been an area of development throughout his career, Almirón has shown periods of clinicality, particularly during his MLS tenure and more recently at Newcastle United. His vision and passing range are solid, enabling him to contribute assists by delivering through balls or crosses into the box. He often creates space for others through his movement off the ball, disrupting defensive shapes and opening passing lanes. His style has drawn comparisons to players who combine speed and relentless effort, such as Son Heung-min in his earlier career, or even the energetic output of a player like Angel Di Maria, albeit with different primary roles.
Achievements & honours
Miguel Almirón has accumulated several significant team and individual honours throughout his career, reflecting his impact at various clubs and his consistent performances.
Club Honours
| Competition | Club | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Paraguayan Primera División | Club Libertad | 2014 Apertura |
| Argentine Primera División | Lanús | 2016 |
| MLS Cup | Atlanta United FC | 2018 |
Individual Honours
- MLS Best XI: 2017, 2018
- MLS All-Star: 2017, 2018
- Paraguayan Footballer of the Year: 2017
- Newcastle United Player of the Year: 2022-23
His contributions to Atlanta United's MLS Cup victory in 2018 were particularly notable, where he was a central figure in their attacking play. His individual accolades in MLS underscore his dominance during his time in North America. The Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award in 2017 further cemented his status as a leading player from his country. More recently, his strong performances for Newcastle United, including a prolific goal-scoring spell, led to him being recognized as the club's Player of the Year, highlighting his growing influence in the Premier League, as cited by Newcastle United's official Player of the Year history.
International career
Miguel Almirón has been a consistent and influential presence for the Paraguay national football team, earning numerous caps and representing his country in major tournaments.
He made his senior international debut for Paraguay in 2015. Since then, he has become a regular starter and a key attacking outlet for La Albirroja. His pace, dribbling, and ability to create chances are vital to Paraguay's offensive strategy.
Almirón has represented Paraguay in multiple editions of the Copa América, South America's premier international football competition. He featured in the Copa América Centenario in 2016, the Copa América 2019, and the Copa América 2021. In these tournaments, he has often been tasked with providing creativity and directness from midfield or out wide, contributing to Paraguay's efforts to advance from the group stages.
He has also been a crucial player in Paraguay's FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns, participating in matches for the 2018, 2022, and ongoing 2026 cycles. While Paraguay has faced challenges in securing World Cup qualification in recent years, Almirón's performances have consistently stood out, with his energy and attacking threat providing moments of inspiration. As of early 2026, he has accumulated over 50 international caps and scored more than 5 goals for his country, making him one of Paraguay's most experienced and important players on the international stage, as detailed by FIFA's World Cup qualifying statistics for CONMEBOL.
What makes Miguel Almirón stand out
Miguel Almirón stands out primarily due to his extraordinary combination of blistering pace and an unwavering work rate, particularly in defensive pressing. This makes him a unique threat who can transition from defense to attack almost instantaneously. His ability to cover vast amounts of ground, both with and without the ball, is exceptional, often leading to turnovers high up the pitch or allowing him to join counter-attacks with devastating effect.
Another distinguishing trait is his directness in attack. When Almirón receives the ball, his first instinct is often to drive forward, either by dribbling past defenders or making a penetrating run into space. This forward-thinking approach, coupled with his close control, poses a constant challenge to opposition defenses. His signature moments often involve him picking up the ball deep in his own half and embarking on a solo run, leaving multiple defenders in his wake, before either creating a chance or getting a shot away.
"His energy levels are incredible. He gives us so much in terms of pressing and also his ability to run in behind and create problems for defenders." – Eddie Howe, Newcastle United Manager.