Borja Iglesias
Age: 31 (born 17 January 1993)Club: Bayer Leverkusen (on loan from Real Betis)Position: forwardCountry: Spain (2 caps)
Key stats
Originally from Santiago, the Galician capital in northwestern Spain, the 6’2″ striker took his first steps in football with local side SD Compostela before honing his youth football at the academies of Valencia, CD Roda and Villarreal.
Initially joining Celta Vigo’s reserves as a 21-year-old, Iglesias stepped up to the senior pros to make his Spanish top-flight bow against Sevilla in January 2015. His reputation continued to flourish with Celta’s second team during that time and he enjoyed an immensely encouraging return of 76 goals in 146 games for the Sky Blues’ B team across four seasons, culminating in a play-off berth for the Spanish second tier.
Real Zaragoza – then playing in the second division – made a successful loan move for Iglesias ahead of their 2017-18 campaign. The striker excelled in his new surroundings and helped coach Natxo González’s side to reach the play-offs for the top-flight, contributing a joint third-best 22 goals in the division along the way.
The striker returned on 9 July 2018 when Espanyol called him up. Iglesias maintained his goalscoring consistency with Los Periquitos, scoring 23 goals in 46 games in all competitions, and the Barcelona team eventually clinched the qualification spots. for European competition.
Still, Iglesias’ coronation is still ahead and came in the form of an unforgettable year for the Real Betis player in 2022.
The 31-year-old joined the Andalusian side on a long-term contract three years earlier, but initially struggled to find his rhythm in a difficult first season with the Green and Whites.
However, things improved significantly for the player in the following campaign, when Iglesias scored 11 goals in 28 top-flight games as Betis qualified for a Europa League position thanks to their sixth-place finish in the league.
A run to the Copa del Rey final in 2021/22 followed, with Iglesias not only the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, but also scoring the stoppage-time goal that saw Betis beat Rayo Vallecano in the semi-finals and final. The next player of the match, Valencia, helped Betis win their third Copa del Rey on penalties.
The following September, the striker was called up to Spain’s senior squad and made his overseas debut for La Roja in a 2–1 loss to Switzerland in the Nations League. Since then, he has won a few other senior international appearances in a UEFA EURO qualifier against Scotland in March 2023. Sounds a bit like: Fernando Torres
“Fernando has been a reference for me,” Iglesias once said, and there are hints of multi-title striker play in the new Leverkusen striker. With a forged build, just the right speed and the ability to combine smart, responsive shots with goal breaks. shots, Iglesias’ complete game in attack deserves to fit perfectly with the Werkself’s taste.
Made?
Iglesias, a huge hip-hop fan, is known as Panda, and even has a panda tattoo on his ankle, after a song of the same name by rapper Desiigner. It was during his time in Celta’s B team that the song became popular in The locker room and the team have become known as Team Panda, with Iglesias going by the nickname from this era of his career until the today.
What they’re saying. . .
“Borja Iglesias, with his profile as a footballer, can fill the void left by the absence (due to injury) of Víctor (Boniface). He is physically strong, knows how to recover the ball, has confidence in his movements, “He does not shy away from any challenge and is good until the end. He offers us a much-needed offensive option to continue our successful season,” said Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes.
“I feel very proud that I was able to give everything to help my team. I wanted to enjoy something like this, it’s something wonderful. ” – Iglesias speaks without delay after his appointment as man of the match. in Betis’ final victory in the 2022 Copa del Rey.
“I completely appreciate what I have every second. Obviously, it’s great to win and enjoy the big moments, but I’ve also tried to enjoy the bad moments. I’m attentive to be informed of them and make sure that I bring things that I can incorporate into my life, not just my football career. – Iglesias in an interview with El Periódico de España.
Bayer Leverkusen have loaned Spanish striker Borja Iglesias to Real Betis as the Werkself look to improve their attacking policy following Victor Boniface’s injury.
Leverkusen ruled regional rivals Gladbach but were held to a goalless draw to book a six-point title with Bayern Munich in two weeks.
Harry Kane ended a two-game goalless streak when Bayern beat neighbours Bavaria in fierce competition.
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