Miguel Borja

Miguel Ángel Borja Hernández (born 26 January 1993) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga MX club América 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.

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 (he played seven matches with no goals).

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 (the previous record was held by Jackson Martínez, with eighteen goals in the 2009 Finalizacion). 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. During his time in River, Borja applied for Argentine citizenship, which he formally received in October 2025.

Club América On 20 August 2026, following a short stint with Al Wasl in the UAE Pro League, Club América reached an agreement to sign Borja.

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 Club

International

Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first. Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2018

Junior Superliga Colombiana: 2020

River Plate Argentine Primera División: 2023 Supercopa Argentina: 2023 Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional: 2023

Colombia U20 South American Youth Championship: 2013

Colombia Copa América runner-up: 2024; third place: 2021

Individual South American Footballer of the Year: 2016 South American Team of The year: 2016 Copa Colombia Top Scorer: 2016 Copa Sudamericana Top Scorer: 2016 Categoría Primera A Top Scorer: 2016 Apertura, 2020 Campeonato Paulista top scorer: 2018 Campeonato Paulista Team of the Year: 2018 for Binomo in LATAM from October to December 2024.