Biography
Who is Borja Iglesias?
Early football years
Born in Santiago de Compostela, Borja Iglesias began playing football at a local primary school as a young child. He was later recruited by Compostela at the age of 10. His development continued through the Villarreal youth system following periods at Roda and Valencia.
He started his professional career in 2012 with the Villarreal C team in the Tercera División. By 2013, he moved to Celta de Vigo, initially playing for their reserve side in the Segunda División B. On 3 January 2015, he made his first appearance in La Liga as a substitute against Sevilla.
Club career highlights
While playing for Celta B, Borja became the all-time top scorer for the reserve team with 53 goals. He later played for Real Zaragoza on loan, where he scored 22 goals in a single season. In 2018, he signed with Espanyol, where he played in the UEFA Europa League.
A significant period of his career took place at Real Betis. He helped the club secure a spot in the Europa League and won the Copa del Rey in the 2021–22 season. During that tournament, he was named the most valuable player in the final and scored five goals total. He also earned the La Liga Player of the Month award for August 2022.
International career and activism
Borja Iglesias made his debut for the Spain national team in 2022 against Switzerland. He was part of the squad that won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, appearing during the match against Portugal. Before his return to the national squad, he announced a boycott of the team in 2023 to protest the actions of the Royal Spanish Football Federation president.
Outside of football, he has used his platform to support social causes. In 2020, he painted his fingernails black to support Black Lives Matter and speak against homophobia. In 2025, he also spoke out regarding the genocide in Gaza and the importance of human rights.
Personal life and identity
He is often referred to by the nickname Panda. In early 2026, he faced homophobic abuse in a car park after a match against Sevilla. This incident led Celta to launch the Against Hate, Together campaign, which saw many supporters paint their nails in solidarity with him.
Borja clarified his identity as a heterosexual man during this time, stating his goal was to help create a safer environment within men's football. He has also shared his views on political and economic policies, expressing a preference for social investment through taxation.
Birthday and age
Borja Iglesias was born on January 17, 1993, which makes Borja 33 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Borja shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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