When it comes to footballers who have risen from humble beginnings and defied the odds, Miguel Almiron stands out. Despite facing numerous doubters throughout his journey, the Paraguayan has consistently proven them wrong with remarkable comebacks in both his life and career. His path to fame began in very modest circumstances. Raised in an impoverished family, Miguel’s father, Reuben, worked gruelling 18-hour shifts as a security guard, while his mother, Sonia, worked as a cashier at a supermarket.
Defying the Odds Since Childhood: Inside the Life of Miguel Almiron
Miguel’s slender build was a significant challenge during his childhood. Although his football skills were evident, he struggled to secure a spot in the Under-15 and Under-16 teams due to concerns about his lightweight frame and perceived lack of growth. Despite these setbacks, he faced numerous obstacles before eventually achieving success. Now, let’s dive into the heart of Miguel Almirón’s story.
Preamble:
Our biography of Miguel Almirón covers the details of his childhood, early life, and family background, including insights into his mother, Sonia, father, Reuben, and his own family life with his wife and child. We also explore his lifestyle, net worth, and personal life.
In essence, this account chronicles the journey of the Paraguayan footballer from his early days in Asunción to his rise to fame. To give you a glimpse of the engaging story within, here’s a pictorial summary of Miguel Almirón’s life.
Miguel Almiron Biography – Behold his Early Life and Great Rise.
Yes, while Miguel Almirón is widely known for his humble demeanour and the gentle impression he gives both on and off the pitch, not many soccer fans have explored a detailed account of his life. His story is truly fascinating. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Miguel Almiron Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, he bears the nickname “Miggy.” And his full name is Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala.
Miguel Almiron was born on the 10th day of February 1994 to his mother, Sonia Almiron, and father, Reuben Almiron, in the capital city of Asunción, Paraguay. Below is a photo of Sonia and Reuben, his lovely parents.
Miguel Almiron’s Parents- Sonia and Reuben Almiron
Miguel Almiron WASN’T raised in a wealthy or upper-class family background. His family was like most poor people in Asunción; they worked but didn’t have the best financial education, and they often struggled with money.
Miguel Almirón found himself growing up in an impoverished family, one in which his father, Reuben, worked 18-hour shifts as a security guard, and his mother, Sonia, worked as a supermarket cashier.
Miguel Almiron had about five siblings. All seven members of his household managed a small house, and little Miguel himself had to share a bed with his mother.
Miguel Almiron Education and Career Buildup:
Kicking a Football started so early for the quiet and shy boy. Because his parents were poor, little Miguel Almiron wasn’t able to have the newest collections of toys but only an old soccer ball, which he kicked most times of the day.
Young Miguel Almiron – The early years with the ball.
At an early age, Miguel Almiron attended Escuela Basica primary school, where he played the beautiful game of football.
“Miguel was a very quiet pupil who did his homework. He wasn’t one of those lazy kids who always get naughty or restless,” his former teacher Maria del Pilar Bernal revealed.
As Miguel Almiron grew up to become a 7-year-old, he began dreaming of making it big. His biggest wish was to have enough monies to buy his family a bigger home.
Early on, he saw the prospect of a football career as the only means of him helping his family escape poverty.
This belief saw him putting his strength and determination into football activities which started out in a patched-up field around the slums of the San Pablo barrio, Asuncion.
The dry, bone-hard pitch where Miguel Almiron learned how to play Football. Credit to ThePlayersTribune
The dry, bone-hard pitch where Miguel honed his dribbling skills gave him the platform to decide his destiny.
Almiron’s dad, Reuben (unlike the Dad of Gonzalo Plata), supported his son by taking him away from his comfort zone in order to have him compete with friends.
“Miguel was very timid. He lacked confidence and could easily get frightened. so I took him (to the club), so he would have other friends,” his father, Ruben Almiron, told ESPN.
Early Life in Football:
Almiron quickly started doing well and made a lot of friends within a few months of leaving the dry, bone-hard pitch located close to his home.
It took no time before he got accepted into November 3 Club, an academy whose senior team played in the Third Division of Paraguayan football. The academy was a stone’s throw away from his primary school.
Understanding their boy’s desire to play football and the need to earn a living from it, all of his family members, including relatives, did all they could to support his aspirations. Below is a leftover memory of his early career days.
Miguel Almiron’s Early Life with Football- The Leftover Memories.
Miguel Almiron’s parents made sure their son never missed his football training. His uncle “Diego” and grandad, who goes by the name “Chelo” all took turns accompanying him to practice.
Road to Fame Story:
Opportunities came as Miguel Almiron continued to progress with his skills. At the age of 14, Miguel was ready to leave the November 3 Club for a new opportunity.
The skinny teen got invited for a trial with Club Nacional, a record-breaking club and nine-time champions of Paraguay’s Primera Division.
Unfortunately, he failed trials with the club. In order not to have his nephew giving up on his dreams, Miguel Almiron’s uncle Diego decided to take matters into his hands.
Diego helped him secure another trial with Cerro Porteno. In his words…
“We took him with his mother to the trials where we met 300 boys already waiting to get the same opportunity. I’ll never forget it because Miguel was number 301 in the squad” Miguel Almeron’s uncle Diego said.
Miguel passes trials thanks to his ability. However, it still didn’t work out straight away for Almiron, who failed to play for the team’s Under 15 and Under 16 levels. He was accused of being too lightweight, someone who couldn’t grow.
Almiron was once accused of being too lightweight. TpT
Sadly, in November 2010, when academy players were being dropped from the squads, poor Miguel was among those names (on the list) to be dropped.
The threat to drop Miguel Almiron continued to the year 2011 with no hopes to see him grow.
At a time he was on the verge of being released by the club, his former coach Hernan Acuna stepped in, offering him redemption.
Hernan Acuna once stood up for Almiron. Credit-TigoSports
“I went to the coordinator and the press and told them: ‘I don’t want the club to chase that boy away simply because he was skinny” said Acuna, the club under 17 coach.
Hernan Acuna was that guardian angel who made Almiron the focal part of his side, handing him playmaking duties. He was responsible for graduating Miguel Almiron into the club’s first team.
Miguel Almiron Bio – Rise to Fame Story:
Almiron, in return, paid back by helping his team win the Paraguayan Clausura trophy in 2013 and the Clausura trophy in 2015.
In August 2015, Miguel Almirón felt the need to be exposed to new culture and training methods, hence deciding to leave his country.
Almiron signed for Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División. In just a season, Almiron helped the club to win three trophies, namely- The Copa Bicentenario, the Supercopa Argentina, and the Argentine Primera División trophy, all in 2016.
Miguel Almiron had huge success at Club Atlético Lanús.
After achieving all these, Almiron left the country for the US, where he signed for Atlanta United FC.
Did you know?… Success also continued in the United States. Miguel Almiron was named in the MLS Best XI in the Major League Soccer, as well as the record for the MLS Newcomer of the Year for 2017.
His biggest moment in the US was when he helped his team to win the MLS Cup in 2018.
The moment that ignited Migggy’s popularity across the world.
On 31 January 2019, Almirón joined Newcastle United for a club record fee that beats that of Michael Owen.
At the time of writing, he had settled into life in the Northeast of England, and the people of Newcastle were glad to finally have a player they could get really excited about. Let’s not forget that he, alongside Julio Enciso, have become the Paraguayan wonder of the Premier League.
Almiron, alongside notables like Joelinton (CM), Alexander Isak (CF), Callum Wilson (CF), etc., were instrumental in helping the Magpies achieve Champions League Qualification for the 2023/2024 season. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Love Life with Alexia Notto:
Behind every great man is a woman, so does the saying goes. And behind almost every footballer, there’s a glamorous wife or girlfriend, as seen in the beautiful person of Alexia Notto, who happens to be the lady behind Miguel Almiron’s love life.
Meet gorgeous Alexia Notto- Miguel Almiron’s then-girlfriend.
Miguel Almiron’s beautiful dark-haired girlfriend is well-trained in Zumba. This is an exercise fitness program very popular in the South American region.
Alexia Notto did this to earn a living before accompanying her man to the US and then to Europe.
Miguel Almiron tied the knot with his girlfriend around November 2016, the year his senior career success began. It was also the year he was a nobody.
Judging from their wedding photo, it looked like a private ceremony where only family members were invited.
Miguel Almiron and Alexia Notto Wedding Photo
Since they tied the knot, both lovers have enjoyed a private and drama-free marriage.
As of the time of writing, the couple is currently settled to life in North East England, with Alexia Notto providing all the emotional support for her man even though it means putting her Zumba career on hold.
Miguel Almiron and Alexia Notto are settling well into life at Newcastle.
Personality:
Getting to know Miguel Almiron’s personal life away from the football pitch would surely help you get a complete picture of him.
Getting to know the athlete’s Personality. Credit to MSN
Starting off, Miguel Almiron is among the top 5 footballers with the most humble attitude to life. He is someone who never gets into fights, and very he is very obedient.
Just like N’golo Kante, he was born shy and quiet, but on the other hand, he can be eccentric and energetic, especially when doing his job on the pitch.
Almiron is a deep thinker and highly intelligent person who uses his mind at every opportunity.
Miguel Almiron Family Life:
Almiron finally fulfilled the promise of buying for his parents and family members. He bought a house at the time he moved to Argentina’s Lanus in 2015. Also, that year, his marriage to Alexia Notto occurred.
He had to buy a house in the same area he grew up in, one big enough to have rooms for his dad, mum, granddad, grandmum, uncles, brothers, and sisters to live in.
Today, his big paycheck takes care of all his family members. Miguel spends a lot on renting and furnishing houses for them in every country his football takes him to.
Miguel Almiron’s family members pose for a photo.
Aside from his mum and dad, Almiron’s uncle Deigo is the next most influential person in his life. Diego was responsible for helping his nephew handle depression after his failed trial with Club Nacional.
Meet Miguel Almiron’s uncle, Diego.
LifeStyle:
Almiron is a super-rich footballer whose paycheck speaks volumes. Once upon a time, he held the record of the 12th highest-paid player in Major Soccer League (MLS) history.
He was once a footballer who made $209,000 per goal scored. At that time, he was holding a market value of $9 million. Because of the above, we expect Miguel Almiron to live a glamorous lifestyle, as observed below.
To this day, Miggy remains an antidote to an expensive lifestyle.
This, however, isn’t the case. Miguel Almiron lives a humble lifestyle and is smart about managing his money.
Untold Facts:
His Favorite player of all time always remains a goalkeeper:
Miguel Almiron once responded quickly when asked which player he most admired in the history of football. In his knowledge of football, there is just one idol.
It’s no other person than the legendary Paragiuan goalkeeper- Chilavert, who was the mainstay for the national team during the 1990s.
Meet José Luis Chilavert- Miguel Almiron’s Idol. Credit to FoxSports.
Did you know! Chilavert remains the only goalkeeper in history who often took free kicks and penalties. Because of his bravery, he became the second-highest-scoring goalkeeper of all time.
How his CV looks like at the time of writing: Looking at his collection of individual and club honours, you can easily know why Newcastle United decided to pay a fee more than that used to buy Michael Owen to purchase Miguel Almiron.
As observed above, Miguel Almiron always had something to offer his employers at almost every season, starting from 2016.
Fact Check:
Thanks for reading our Miguel Almiron Childhood Story plus Untold Biography Facts. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver you the stories of Newcastle United Legends. Without a doubt, you’ll enjoy the story of Bruno Guimarães and Allan-Saint Maximin. If you find something that doesn’t look right, please share it with us by commenting below. We’ll always value and respect your ideas.
