Scoring 19 goals during the 2016 Apertura tournament established Miguel Borja as a record-breaking force in Colombian football. This prolific performance shattered previous league benchmarks, propelling the forward into a trajectory that spanned elite clubs across South America and included a prestigious recognition as the South American Footballer of the Year that same season.
Early Career and Colombian Breakthrough
Born in La Paz on 26 January 1993, Borja began his professional path with Deportivo Cali in 2011 before brief stints at Cúcuta Deportivo and Cortuluá. His development accelerated through transitions to La Equidad and a loan to Italian side Livorno in 2013. Upon returning to Colombia, he joined Independiente Santa Fe in 2015, contributing to a Copa Sudamericana victory. His 2016 tenure with Cortuluá proved transformative, as he set a new record for goals in a single league tournament.
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Borja joined Atlético Nacional in June 2016, immediately impacting the squad's Copa Libertadores campaign. He netted critical goals in the semi-finals against São Paulo and the final series against Independiente del Valle, securing the title. This success earned him individual honors, including a place in the South American Team of the Year. In 2017, he transferred to Palmeiras in Brazil for a reported US$10.5 million, later winning the 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
International Representation
At the youth level, Borja contributed to the Colombia under-20 squad that won the 2013 South American Youth Football Championship. He debuted for the senior national team in November 2016 during a World Cup qualifier against Chile. His subsequent international highlights include participating in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, achieving third place in the 2021 Copa América, and finishing as a runner-up in the 2024 edition of the same tournament.
Recent Club Stints
Following a loan period with Junior, where he won the 2020 Superliga Colombiana, and a spell with Grêmio, Borja moved to River Plate in 2022. During his time in Argentina, he captured the 2023 Primera División championship alongside the Supercopa Argentina. After a short period with Al Wasl in the UAE, he joined the Mexican club América in August 2026.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 January 1993, La Paz, Colombia
- Primary Position: Forward
- South American Footballer of the Year: 2016
- Notable Club: Atlético Nacional
- International Debut: November 2016
- Notable Trophy: 2016 Copa Libertadores
- Argentine Citizenship Received: October 2025
Questions readers ask
Which major individual award did Borja win in 2016?
He was named the South American Footballer of the Year.
Did Borja play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Yes, he was included in Colombia's 23-man squad and made a substitute appearance in a match against Senegal.
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