Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
River Plate · Copa America · Defender · #29 · Argentina · 28 yrs
Gonzalo Montiel plays as a defender for River Plate. Gonzalo Montiel is a Argentine international, 28 years old, defender, currently at River Plate. Gonzalo Montiel wears shirt number 29 for River Plate. Gonzalo Montiel was born in González Catán, Argentina on 1997-01-01. Gonzalo Montiel is 175 cm tall and weighs 68 kg. Gonzalo Montiel's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Copa America, Copa de la Superliga, FIFA Club World Cup, Friendlies, and other leagues. Gonzalo Montiel's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Gonzalo Montiel season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 |  Argentina ARG |
| 2026 |  River Plate RIV |
| 2025 | Argentina ARG |
| 2025 | River Plate RIV |
| 2024 | Argentina ARG |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-20 | Transfer |  Sevilla SEV | River Plate RIV |
| 2024-07-01 | N/A |  Nottingham Forest NOT | Sevilla SEV |
| 2023-08-23 | Loan | Sevilla SEV | Nottingham Forest NOT |
Season intelligence
Profile as Defender: balanced output without a single dominant trait. Archetype: Balanced contributor. Season rating 7.0.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Throughout the 2026 World Cup, Aymeric Laporte established as one of the tournament's best defenders, becoming an undisputed starter for Spain. As a result, Barcelona are reportedly considering a €15 million move for the 32-year-old defender. After leaving Al Nassr unexpectedly in 2025, Aymeric Laporte seemed almost destined to gradually decline in his level of play. However, he rediscovered his form at Athletic Club, allowing him to arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a starter. After establishing as one of the best defenders, the 32-year-old has attracted Barcelona’s attention, as they are reportedly open to a €15 million move. Head coach Luis de la Fuente made Aymeric Laporte his undisputed starter in defense. Despite coming off a fairly inconsistent season, he formed one of the best defensive partnerships alongside Pau Cubarsí. He played 729 minutes across eight matches, helping Spain finish as the team with the fewest goals conceded. After this outstanding level, Barcelona are reportedly pursuing his signing this summer. According to Carlos Monfort, via Diario Sport, Barcelona are determined to contact Aymeric Laporte’s camp in the coming days. As one of the best left-sided defenders, they consider the 32-year-old star to be a world-class player. Even though the relationship between Athletic Club and the Blaugrana is not the best, the defender has a €15 million release clause, making him quite affordable. Aymeric Laporte could be the ideal solution to Barcelona’s defensive inconsistencies. Having already developed a good understanding with Pau Cubarsí, this partnership could provide the team with the stability it had with Iñigo Martínez. As a 32-year-old veteran, he would not block Gerard Martín’s development; instead, he would be key to helping him improve his level. Gonzalo Montiel #4 of Argentina competes for the ball against Aymeric Laporte #14 of Spain. Aymeric Laporte potential deal could force Barcelona to offload stars Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Barcelona reportedly have three untouchable defenders: Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, and Gerard Martín. However, head coach Hansi Flick would be open to bringing in Aymeric Laporte, as he fulfills the role of a veteran, offers quality in building out from the back. If they secure his arrival, the Blaugrana could need to part ways with some stars in their defensive line. Both Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo could be transferred if Laporte’s arrival is completed. Although neither of them wants to leave, they could be relegated to having little or no playing time, making a departure a real possibility. With the departure of both defenders, Barcelona could reduce their defensive unit to just four players, looking to give all of them significant playing time during the season. Aymeric Laporte’s arrival would not be directly linked to the departures of Araújo and Christensen. Instead, the signing of the 32-year-old star could push both defenders to leave the club if they want regular playing time. However, Barcelona have not yet managed to complete the signing of the 2026 World Cup winner, so these are still only speculations.
With today's 2026 World Cup final on deck, questions are already swirling over whether Lionel Messi and his supporting cast can defy the aging curve to return for the 2030 tournament. Lionel Messi has once again guided Argentina to a World Cup final, this time anchoring a deeply talented supporting cast during the 2026 tournament in North America. As fans and pundits immediately begin to wonder whether the legendary playmaker could realistically push for the 2030 World Cup, a look at the roster reveals a stark divide between core players who will still be in their athletic primes and veterans who are likely facing their international curtain call. Born on June 24, 1987, Messi was 38 years old when the 2026 tournament kicked off on June 11. Having successfully navigated a grueling group stage and knockout run all the way to the final, the Inter Miami star recently celebrated his 39th birthday on the pitch, continuing to defy typical aging curves with a masterclass of tournament orchestration. The 2030 World Cup will mark a unique centennial celebration, with the opening matches scheduled for June 8 and 9 in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay before the tournament moves entirely to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. By the time that tournament kicks off, Messi will be 42 years old, meaning that if the Albiceleste were to make another deep run with their captain on the roster, the icon would turn 43 before the final whistle. The overarching question is whether Messi will even be active by the turn of the decade. His current contract with MLS side Inter Miami runs through December 2028, at which point he will be 41 years old. When pressed on his longevity, the Argentine captain has consistently maintained that his future depends entirely on how his body feels, taking the exact same year-by-year approach that ultimately allowed him to feature in the 2026 cycle. Lautaro Martinez #22, Cristian Romero #13, Emiliano Martinez #23 and Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina sing the national anthem Argentina stars in their prime or approaching retirement? When looking at the roster flanking Messi, the squad dynamics will inevitably shift heavily before the 2030 cycle. The most definitive departure will be veteran center back Nicolas Otamendi, currently 38, who has already confirmed that this North American campaign represents his final appearance in the famous sky-blue and white jersey. Slightly younger foundational pieces will face their own race against time, including goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez (33), fullback Nicolas Tagliafico (33), and midfielders Leandro Paredes (32) and Rodrigo De Paul (32). While modern goalkeepers routinely excel well into their late 30s, the three outfield players have logged immense physical miles as the high-intensity engine room of Argentina’s modern golden era. Conversely, a dominant core of the current starting eleven will be entering their early 30s, right in the sweet spot of veteran experience. This includes Lisandro Martinez (28), Cristian “Cuti” Romero (28), Alexis Mac Allister (27), Lautaro Martinez (28), and Julian Alvarez (26), while rising talents like Nico Paz (21), Valentin Barco (21), and Giuliano Simeone (23) are poised to be fully established European stars by 2030. Projected ages for Argentina’s 2030 World Cup cycle PlayerAge in 2026 World CupAge in 2030 World CupEmiliano Martinez3337Juan Musso3236Geronimo Rulli3438Nahuel Molina2832Gonzalo Montiel2933Cristian Romero2832Lisandro Martinez2832Nicolas Otamendi3842Marcos Senesi2933Facundo Medina2731Nicolas Tagliafico3337Leandro Paredes3236Exequiel Palacios2731Giovani Lo Celso3034Valentin Barco2125Rodrigo De Paul3236Alexis Mac Allister2731Enzo Fernandez2529Giuliano Simeone2327Nico Paz2125Nicolas Gonzalez2832Thiago Almada2529Lionel Messi3943Julian Alvarez2630Lautaro Martinez2832Jose Manuel Lopez2529
With Leandro Paredes surprisingly beginning the 2026 World Cup final on the bench, Argentina enters its showdown with Spain carrying one of the biggest pre-match talking points of the tournament. With Leandro Paredes surprisingly beginning the 2026 World Cup final on the bench, Argentina enters its showdown with Spain carrying one of the biggest pre-match talking points of the tournament. Supporters immediately began wondering why one of Lionel Scaloni’s trusted midfielders was left out of the starting lineup. The defending world champion arrived at MetLife Stadium with several adjustments to the lineup that defeated England in the semifinals. Lionel Scaloni introduced three changes, with Nicolas Gonzalez replacing Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul returning to the starting lineup, and Gonzalo Montiel coming in at right back instead of Nahuel Molina. The decision is purely tactical rather than injury-related. There have been no reports of injury, suspension, or disciplinary issues, and Paredes remains fully available as a substitute. Instead, Scaloni appears to have tailored his lineup specifically for Spain’s style of play. The coaching staff opted for greater mobility, pressing ability, and attacking energy, believing those qualities would better match the European champion’s possession-based approach. With Spain expected to dominate long stretches of possession through players such as Rodri, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, Argentina has prioritized midfielders capable of covering wider areas while quickly transitioning into attack.
Argentina face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, and Rodrigo De Paul could return to the starting lineup alongside Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi will chase his second title when Argentina face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium. For this crucial match, Rodrigo De Paul has a real chance of returning to the starting lineup. According to ESPN’s Martin Arevalo, the Inter Miami midfielder is expected to return to Argentina’s starting lineup against Spain, reclaiming his spot in midfield after starting the semifinal win over England from the bench. Lionel Scaloni is reportedly planning two changes to the side that beat England, both coming on the right side of the field. Alongside De Paul‘s return, Gonzalo Montiel is in line to start at right-back, with Nahuel Molina expected to make way. Argentine insider Gaston Edul reported that while the lineup will be finalized by tomorrow at noon, Scaloni left both Nicolas Gonzalez and Molina out of the starters during Argentina’s final training session. On to glory, again 🔜🏆 pic.twitter.com/GO9Lnqlb7q— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 15, 2026 In a press conference ahead of the match, Scaloni confirmed he still hasn’t settled on a team, noting that several players aren’t at 100% and that he’ll wait to see their condition on Sunday before finalizing his lineup. “We’re focused on rest right now. Based on that, we’ll see how they’re doing. Because there are players who aren’t at 100%. We’ll see how they are, and then decide what team we put out on Sunday,” the Argentina coach said. Argentina’s potential lineup Should the reports from Argentina’s insiders be confirmed, this would be the team to face Spain: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
The continuity has been a huge reason for the 2026 World Cup participation for Argentina as most of their players were present in Qatar. The final of the 2026 World Cup has Argentina and Spain as the last teams remaining in the competition, making it Argentina’s second consecutive appearance after beating France in Qatar. While the team has many strengths, continuity may be the main reason Argentina are once again where they are. Helped by a squad that had already gone through a renewal process, most of the same players remain and have continued to deliver strong performances. From the team that won the title four years ago, 17 players are still part of the squad. Gerónimo Rulli, Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez are the players who were selected for both squads. The 2026 team Goalkeepers: Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli, and Emiliano Martínez. The team of the final (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Defenders: Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, and Nahuel Molina. Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás González, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández. Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, José Manuel López, and Lautaro Martínez. The 2022 team Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Gerónimo Rulli, and Emiliano Martínez. Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Germán Pezzella, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nahuel Molina, and Marcos Acuña. Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Di María, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Alejandro Gómez, Guido Rodríguez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández. Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Ángel Correa, Paulo Dybala, and Lautaro Martínez.
Set to face England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to make changes to Lionel Messi's Argentina XI, with two key doubts yet to be solved. Argentina are through to the 2026 World Cup semifinals after another unconvincing performance, this time against Switzerland, with Lionel Messi once again carrying the load. With England up next and a place in the final on the line, head coach Lionel Scaloni is reportedly planning changes to his starting lineup, with two positions in particular still up in the air. The 3-1 scoreline at Arrowhead Stadium was flattering. Argentina struggled for long stretches playing eleven against eleven, and it took Breel Embolo’s red card and an extra-time comeback to seal the result. England, ranked fourth in the FIFA Rankings, represent the toughest opponent Argentina have faced in the entire 2026 World Cup, and Scaloni appears to recognize that adjustments are necessary. On Monday, Argentina held their final training session in Kansas City at the Compass Mineral Center before departing for Atlanta. The AFA’s official report noted that the squad “focused on possession drills, recovery after turnovers, and attacking progression,” closing the session with small-sided games. Argentina to hold the system According to Diario Ole‘s Hernan Claus, an insider close to the Argentina national team, Scaloni has been working between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2, consistent with the formations used throughout the tournament. However, with the current group of starters struggling to find the right balance, the coach experimented with several personnel changes in key positions during Monday’s session. #SelecciónMayor ¡Llegamos a Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/loPvPZsjs3— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 14, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios featured in the starting lineup for part of the training session, offering a ball-retention profile in midfield that Argentina lacked against Switzerland. Giuliano Simeone also got some minutes, providing a wider, more direct option down the flank as an alternative to the more technical Mac Allister-Fernandez-Paredes-De Paul setup Scaloni has favored. The right back position also saw rotation, with both Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel cycling through the role as they have done throughout the tournament, with neither player having done enough to make the spot their own. According to the Argentine outlet, nine players appear close to certain starters against England: Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi, and Julian Alvarez. Of those who started against Switzerland, Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina appear most at risk of losing their places. Scaloni considering a 5-3-2 system? One of the more significant possibilities reported by Diario Ole is a switch to a 5-3-2 for the England semifinal. In Monday’s session, Scaloni trialed a back three of Nicolas Otamendi, Cristián Romero, and Lisandro Martinez, with Molina and Simeone as right wing backs, Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez on the left, a midfield three of De Paul, Fernandez, and Mac Allister, and Messi and Alvarez as the two forwards. It would not be the first time Scaloni has made such a tactical shift under pressure, having deployed a similar approach in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands, a match Argentina controlled for long stretches despite finishing 2-2. The final decision is expected to come after Tuesday’s training session in Atlanta, but one thing already appears clear: Scaloni will not be sending out the same lineup that started against Egypt or Switzerland.
After athe thrilling 3-2 win over Egypt, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to keep most of Lionel Messi's lineup unchanged to face Switzerland for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. Lionel Messi is preparing for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals after another thrilling but unconvincing win, this time a 3-2 comeback over Egypt. With Switzerland up next, head coach Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to make minimal changes to Argentina’s lineup that started against the African side. Tuesday’s match looked like it might spell the end of Messi’s World Cup run, with Argentina trailing 2-0 until the 78th minute before the Inter Miami star once again dragged his side to victory. Despite the performance leaving plenty of questions unanswered, the coaching staff appears unwilling to shake things up significantly. According to TyC Sports journalist and Argentina insider Gaston Edul, no major changes are expected between the Egypt and Switzerland lineups for Saturday’s quarterfinal on July 12th. During Thursday’s training session, Scaloni did not run a full practice game as he typically does at this stage, suggesting the adjustments will be minimal, with Friday’s session expected to be the final one before the match. Players who earned their spot in the starting XI against Egypt are also expected to retain it. Nicolas Tagliafico, fully fit, will hold the left back position, while Leandro Paredes appears set to keep his place after a standout defensive contribution that included a crucial recovery to stop a dangerous Egyptian counterattack. Leandro Paredes #5 of Argentina and Mohamed Salah #10 of Egypt compete for the ball. Julian Alvarez is also expected to remain as Messi’s attacking partner despite continued questions about his form. While Lautaro Martinez has looked the sharper finisher in the final third, Alvarez’s work rate and explosiveness are seen as better suited to breaking down a well-organized Swiss defensive block on Saturday. Two doubts in Argentina’s squad The right back position remains a genuine competition, with Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel both pushing for the starting spot. Neither has been particularly convincing throughout the tournament, leaving the position unsettled heading into a quarterfinal. Montiel came on in the 73rd minute against Egypt with the score at 0-2 and made an immediate impact, setting up Messi for the 2-2 while positioned as a No. 9 inside the box in the 83rd minute. Even so, both players have shown vulnerabilities on and off the ball, and their inclusion may hinge on how they come through Friday’s training session. The other open question is whether Nicolas Gonzalez will force his way into Argentina‘s midfield picture. The Atletico Madrid winger came on against Egypt as a substitute and immediately injected the pace that had been missing throughout, and with Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul both below their best, Gonzalez’s ability to change the tempo makes him a compelling wildcard option against Switzerland. Projected lineup for Argentina Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez.Defenders: Nahuel Molina/Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Nicolas Tagliafico.Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, and Alexis Mac Allister.Forwards: Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.
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