{"id":265028,"first_name":"Borja","last_name":"Iglesias Quintas","short_name":"Borja Iglesias","common_name":"Borja Iglesias","place_of_birth":"Santiago de Compostela","gender":"male","height":187,"weight":79,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T08:22:42.435Z","updatedAt":"2025-04-16T12:33:15.501Z","locale":"en","age":32,"stb_id":"borja-iglesias","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Borja Iglesias","top_position":null,"introduction":"Borja Iglesias Quintas is a noteworthy Spanish professional footballer known for his skills as a striker. Born on January 17, 1993, in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Iglesias currently plays for La Liga club Celta, on loan from Real Betis, and has also represented the Spain national team. An established player in Spanish football, he has participated in over 175 La Liga matches and scored more than 50 goals, achieving significant success with Celta, Espanyol, and Betis, including winning the 2021–22 Copa del Rey.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nBorja Iglesias was born in Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruña, Galicia. He showed an early interest in football, beginning to play as a young child at his local primary school. His passion for the game was evident from a young age, leading him to join SD Compostela at the age of 10, where he nurtured his budding talent.\n\n## Youth Career\nIglesias developed his skills through various youth setups, notably at Villarreal CF, after stints with CD Roda and Valencia CF. He completed his youth career at Villarreal, paving the way for his senior debut in 2012 with their C team in Tercera División. His progression through these youth systems underscored his potential as a future professional footballer.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Villarreal\nIglesias began his senior career with Villarreal CF's C team in 2012, playing in the Tercera División. His experience here laid the groundwork for his future success.\n\n### Celta\nIglesias joined RC Celta de Vigo on July 9, 2013, initially playing for the reserves in Segunda División B. He made his La Liga debut on January 3, 2015, against Sevilla FC, as a substitute. By December 2016, he became Celta B's all-time top scorer with 53 goals and was pivotal in securing a play-off berth with 32 goals that season. Iglesias was loaned to Real Zaragoza in 2017, where he scored 22 goals, finishing as the joint-third highest scorer in Segunda División.\n\n### Espanyol\nOn July 9, 2018, he signed with RCD Espanyol. Iglesias made a remarkable impact by scoring in key matches and helping the team in UEFA Europa League qualifiers, evidencing his proficiency in front of goal.\n\n### Betis\nIglesias joined Real Betis on August 14, 2019, reuniting with manager Rubi. Despite a challenging first season, he contributed significantly to the team's success in the 2020–21 season, securing a Europa League spot. Notably, in the 2021–22 Copa del Rey, he scored the crucial goal in the final and was named the tournament's top scorer. His remarkable start to the 2022–23 season earned him the La Liga Player of the Month accolade for August.\n\n### Celta (Return)\nIn July 2024, Iglesias returned to Celta on a season-long loan, continuing his tenure in Spanish football.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Senior National Team\nIglesias earned his place in the Spain national team in September 2022, debuting against Switzerland. Despite being the top-scoring Spanish player in the calendar year, he was surprisingly omitted from the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. In 2023, Iglesias made headlines with his decision to boycott the national team over controversies surrounding the Royal Spanish Football Federation.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nBorja Iglesias is recognized as a formidable striker known for his technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical presence on the field. He excels in positioning and finishing, effectively utilizing his height and strength to outperform defenses. His ability to convert crucial goals marks him as a valuable asset to any team he plays for.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his career, Iglesias has featured in over 175 La Liga matches, scoring upwards of 50 goals, showcasing his consistent ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.\n\n## Records\n- All-time top scorer for Celta B.\n- Topped the goal charts in Copa del Rey 2021–22, contributing significantly to Real Betis' victory.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Copa del Rey: 2021–22 with Real Betis\n- Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal: 2023–24 with Bayer Leverkusen\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- La Liga Player of the Month: August 2022\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nIglesias's performances have consistently earned him recognition, particularly his standout performance in the Copa del Rey, where he was named the final's most valuable player.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nThroughout his career, Borja Iglesias has made a lasting impact in Spanish football, celebrated for his goal-scoring prowess and key contributions to major victories. His dedication both on and off the pitch underscores his influence in the sport.\n\n## Off the Field\nIglesias is known for his impactful gestures, such as painting his fingernails black to support Black Lives Matter and stand against homophobia, which have gained him widespread praise and highlighted his commitment to social causes.\n\n## Personal Life\nIglesias is nicknamed 'Panda,' a moniker derived from a song by rapper Desiigner. Known for his unique personality and social awareness, he has often voiced his opinions on political and social issues, distinguishing himself as a thoughtful and engaged individual beyond the football field.","stb_internal_id":"019305b7-f4ca-7004-9721-3486f75c6d71","overrides":null,"type_code":"attacker","position_type_code":"attacker","detailed_position_type_code":"centre-forward","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Borja Iglesias Quintas is a noteworthy Spanish professional footballer known for his skills as a striker. Born on January 17, 1993, in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Iglesias currently plays for La Liga club Celta, on loan from Real Betis, and has also represented the Spain national team. An established player in Spanish football, he has participated in over 175 La Liga matches and scored more than 50 goals, achieving significant success with Celta, Espanyol, and Betis, including winning the 2021–22 Copa del Rey.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Borja Iglesias was born in Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruña, Galicia. He showed an early interest in football, beginning to play as a young child at his local primary school. His passion for the game was evident from a young age, leading him to join SD Compostela at the age of 10, where he nurtured his budding talent.

Youth Career

Iglesias developed his skills through various youth setups, notably at Villarreal CF, after stints with CD Roda and Valencia CF. He completed his youth career at Villarreal, paving the way for his senior debut in 2012 with their C team in Tercera División. His progression through these youth systems underscored his potential as a future professional footballer.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Villarreal

Iglesias began his senior career with Villarreal CF's C team in 2012, playing in the Tercera División. His experience here laid the groundwork for his future success.

Celta

Iglesias joined RC Celta de Vigo on July 9, 2013, initially playing for the reserves in Segunda División B. He made his La Liga debut on January 3, 2015, against Sevilla FC, as a substitute. By December 2016, he became Celta B's all-time top scorer with 53 goals and was pivotal in securing a play-off berth with 32 goals that season. Iglesias was loaned to Real Zaragoza in 2017, where he scored 22 goals, finishing as the joint-third highest scorer in Segunda División.

Espanyol

On July 9, 2018, he signed with RCD Espanyol. Iglesias made a remarkable impact by scoring in key matches and helping the team in UEFA Europa League qualifiers, evidencing his proficiency in front of goal.

Betis

Iglesias joined Real Betis on August 14, 2019, reuniting with manager Rubi. Despite a challenging first season, he contributed significantly to the team's success in the 2020–21 season, securing a Europa League spot. Notably, in the 2021–22 Copa del Rey, he scored the crucial goal in the final and was named the tournament's top scorer. His remarkable start to the 2022–23 season earned him the La Liga Player of the Month accolade for August.

Celta (Return)

In July 2024, Iglesias returned to Celta on a season-long loan, continuing his tenure in Spanish football.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

Iglesias earned his place in the Spain national team in September 2022, debuting against Switzerland. Despite being the top-scoring Spanish player in the calendar year, he was surprisingly omitted from the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. In 2023, Iglesias made headlines with his decision to boycott the national team over controversies surrounding the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Borja Iglesias is recognized as a formidable striker known for his technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical presence on the field. He excels in positioning and finishing, effectively utilizing his height and strength to outperform defenses. His ability to convert crucial goals marks him as a valuable asset to any team he plays for.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his career, Iglesias has featured in over 175 La Liga matches, scoring upwards of 50 goals, showcasing his consistent ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.

Records

All-time top scorer for Celta B.
Topped the goal charts in Copa del Rey 2021–22, contributing significantly to Real Betis' victory.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Copa del Rey: 2021–22 with Real Betis
Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal: 2023–24 with Bayer Leverkusen

Individual Achievements

La Liga Player of the Month: August 2022

Awards and Recognition

Iglesias's performances have consistently earned him recognition, particularly his standout performance in the Copa del Rey, where he was named the final's most valuable player.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Throughout his career, Borja Iglesias has made a lasting impact in Spanish football, celebrated for his goal-scoring prowess and key contributions to major victories. His dedication both on and off the pitch underscores his influence in the sport.

Off the Field

Iglesias is known for his impactful gestures, such as painting his fingernails black to support Black Lives Matter and stand against homophobia, which have gained him widespread praise and highlighted his commitment to social causes.

Personal Life

Iglesias is nicknamed 'Panda,' a moniker derived from a song by rapper Desiigner. Known for his unique personality and social awareness, he has often voiced his opinions on political and social issues, distinguishing himself as a thoughtful and engaged individual beyond the football field.

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Borja Iglesias: Profile