Miguel Borja


Miguel Ángel Borja Hernández is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the UAE Pro League club Al Wasl and the Colombia national team.
After moving between several Colombian clubs early in his career, he had his breakthrough in 2016 with Cortuluá, scoring 19 goals to finish as the league’s top scorer. He then joined Atlético Nacional, where he quickly established himself as a decisive figure, netting crucial goals in their triumphant 2016 Copa Libertadores campaign. His performances earned him the prestigious title of South American Footballer of the Year. In 2017, he made a high-profile move to Brazilian club Palmeiras, winning the Brasileirão the following season. In 2022, he signed with Argentine giants River Plate, where he captured multiple titles, including the 2023 Primera División championship.
At youth level, Borja was part of the Colombia under-20 squad that won the 2013 South American Youth Football Championship. He also represented Colombia in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, reaching the quarter-finals. He made his senior debut for Colombia in November 2016 during a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile and scored his first two goals for the national team the following year in a 4–0 friendly win over China. Borja was included in Colombia’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and participated in the 2021 Copa América, where his country achieved third place, as well as the 2024 Copa América, where they finished as runners-up.

Club career

Colombia

Borja began his career with Deportivo Cali, making his professional debut in 2011. That same year, he was transferred to Cucuta Deportivo, club in which he had few chances to play. He would soon be transferred again, this time to play for Categoría Primera B side, Cortuluá. Borja would make a name for himself in the second division of Colombia, often being referred to as a 'fast' and 'complete goalscorer', as well as boasting impressive strength on the ball. His impressive performances with Cortuluá eventually led him to becoming an alternative striker for Colombia's national under-20 team in 2013. On 17 January 2013, it was reported that Independiente Medellin had been interested in acquiring Borja's services. However, nothing was finalized and Borja was eventually sold to first division side, La Equidad. In his 2 disputable games, Borja scored 4 goals before being transferred to Serie A side Livorno Calcio|Livorno].

Livorno and Olimpo

During the summer of 2013, it was confirmed that Borja would join Italian club Livorno on loan. The loan consisted of a fee of €150,000 with an option to buy for €1.5 million.
His debut for Le Triglie came on 20 October, coming off the bench in a 1–2 loss to Sampdoria.
Borja made seven season appearances for the club but failed to score a goal. Livorno was eventually regulated to the Serie B after placing last for the season.
Shortly after Livorno were relegated, Borja was sent on loan to Argentine club Club Olimpo, where he scored three in sixteen games.

Return to Colombia

Borja was loaned to Independiente Santa Fe for the second half of 2015. That season, Borja scored ten goals in thirty-three matches. He won the 2015 Copa Sudamericana with the team.
For the 2016 season, he was sold to Cortuluá who was 17th in the league the previous season. In the Apertura tournament of the season, Borja scored a record of nineteen goals in twenty-one matches, breaking the record of most goals scored by a player in a league tournament. His team Cortuluá reached the Semifinals, which they lost to Independiente Medellín.
He was transferred again on 8 June, this time to Atlético Nacional. On 6 July, during his first match for his new team, while playing against São Paulo in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores, he scored twice, a feat he repeated in the second leg a week after. Then, on 27 July 2016, he went on to score the definitive goal in the final series against Ecuadorian team Independiente del Valle, which Atlético Nacional ended up winning 2–1 on the aggregate. At the end of the year, Borja was included in the best 11 of the year.

Palmeiras

On 9 February 2017, it was announced that Borja had agreed to transfer to Brazilian side Palmeiras. He signed a five-year deal for a fee believed to be around US$10.5 million. Borja became the fourth most expensive transfer of Brazilian football.

Junior

On 28 December 2019, Borja signed a one-year loan deal with Atlético Junior. On 8 September 2020, in the first leg of the 2020 Superliga Colombiana, which had been moved from January to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Borja scored a penalty in an eventual 2-1 loss against América de Cali. However, this goal later proved to be crucial in the second leg, with Junior winning the second leg 2-0 and winning the title 3-2 on aggregate.

Grêmio

On 5 August 2021, Borja signed with Grêmio until December 2022 on loaned from Palmeiras, and was given the number 9 shirt.

River Plate

On 12 July 2022, Borja signed a contract with Argentine giants River Plate, running until December 2025.

International career

Borja was included in Colombia's 23 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, making one substitute appearance in the group stage match against Senegal.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
114 November 2017Chongqing Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China3–04–0Friendly
214 November 2017Chongqing Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China4–04–0Friendly
311 October 2018Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United States4–24–2Friendly
48 June 2021Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia2–22–22022 [FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]
520 June 2021Estádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico, Goiânia, Brazil1–11–22021 Copa América
69 September 2021Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia1–03–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
79 September 2021Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia2–03–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
824 March 2022Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia2–03–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
96 July 2024State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States5–05–02024 Copa América

Honours

Independiente Santa Fe
Atlético Nacional
Palmeiras
Junior
  • Superliga Colombiana: 2020
River Plate
Colombia U20
Colombia
Individual

Sponsors

Miguel Borja is the Brand Ambassador for Binomo in LATAM from October to December 2024.