Gonzalo Montiel is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right back for Argentine Primera División club Club Atlético River Plate and the Argentina national football team.
He is widely recognized for scoring the decisive penalty that secured Argentina’s victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final against France, one of the defining moments of his career.
Gonzalo Ariel Montiel developed into one of Argentina’s most reliable defenders after progressing through River Plate’s youth academy.
His rise from academy football to becoming a World Cup winner reflects years of consistent development at both club and international level.
Montiel built his reputation through disciplined defending, relentless work rate, and his ability to contribute in attack from wide areas.
Those qualities helped him become a regular under Marcelo Gallardo at River Plate before earning a move to European football with Sevilla.
His career has included major domestic titles in Argentina, continental success in South América, triumph in Europe, and international honors with Argentina.
Few defenders of his generation can match a resume that includes the Copa Libertadores, UEFA Europa League, Copa América, Finalissima, and FIFA World Cup.
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Gonzalo Montiel Biography
He was born on January 1, 1997, in González Catán, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Montiel grew up in González Catán, a city in Buenos Aires Province known for producing numerous talented footballers.
Football became part of his daily routine from an early age, and he spent much of his childhood playing neighborhood matches before joining organized youth football.
His family supported his ambitions throughout his development, allowing him to pursue competitive football while balancing school.
Publicly available information about his parents and siblings remains limited, as Montiel has consistently kept his private life away from media attention.
That privacy has remained a defining feature throughout his professional career.
He has earned recognition entirely through his performances on the pitch.
Career
Montiel joined River Plate’s youth academy as a child, entering one of South América’s most respected development systems.
River Plate’s academy has produced numerous international stars, and Montiel gradually worked his way through every age group.
Coaches viewed him as a technically sound defender capable of playing with intensity while remaining comfortable in possession.
His versatility also became apparent during his youth career. While primarily deployed as a right back, he occasionally featured in wider and more advanced roles, helping refine the attacking qualities that would later become a strength in professional football.
Years of development at River Plate prepared him for senior football under Marcelo Gallardo, whose demanding tactical system required defenders capable of contributing in both defensive and attacking phases.
River Plate
Montiel made his senior debut for River Plate in 2016, beginning a period that established him as one of Argentina’s leading full-backs.
Under Gallardo, River Plate enjoyed one of the most successful eras in club history. Montiel became an important part of a team that combined technical quality with tactical discipline and relentless intensity.
His breakthrough came during the club’s domestic and continental campaigns, where his pace, defensive awareness, and crossing ability made him a regular starter.
During his first spell with River Plate, Montiel helped the club win several major honors, including: Copa Libertadores (2018), Recopa Sudamericana, Copa Argentina, and the Argentine Primera División title.
The 2018 Copa Libertadores campaign remains one of the highlights of his club career. River Plate defeated arch-rivals Boca Juniors in one of the most famous finals in South American football history, with Montiel playing an important defensive role throughout the tournament.
By the end of his first River Plate spell, he had become one of Argentina’s most sought-after defenders and attracted interest from several European clubs.
Sevilla
In August 2021, Montiel completed a transfer to Sevilla FC in Spain’s La Liga. The move represented the biggest challenge of his career.
Sevilla signed him after several successful seasons in Argentina, believing his defensive qualities and experience in high-pressure matches would strengthen the squad.
Adjusting to Spanish football required patience. Competition for places was strong, and adapting to a new league always presents challenges for South American players.
Despite that competition, Montiel contributed important performances during domestic and European competitions.
One of the biggest achievements of his European career came in 2023, when Sevilla won the UEFA Europa League.
Montiel scored the winning penalty in the final shootout against AS Roma after the original attempt had to be retaken because of goalkeeper encroachment.
Remarkably, it was another major final decided by a successful Montiel penalty.
Return to River Plate
Following his time in European football, Montiel returned to River Plate, where supporters welcomed back one of the club’s academy graduates.
His return reunited him with the club where his professional career began. River Plate viewed Montiel as an experienced international defender capable of strengthening both the squad and the dressing room through the leadership he gained while competing in Europe and with Argentina.
Argentina National Team
Montiel represented Argentina at youth level before earning his senior debut in 2019 under coach Lionel Scaloni. His consistency quickly earned him regular call-ups.
Montiel was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2021 Copa América, defeating Brazil in the final at the Maracanã Stadium.
The victory ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major international trophy and marked the beginning of one of the country’s most successful modern eras.
In 2022, Montiel helped Argentina defeat Italy in the Finalissima, another significant international success ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2022
The tournament in Qatar transformed Montiel into one of Argentina’s football heroes. Argentina reached the knockout stage before overcoming Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and finally France.
Montiel played an increasingly important role as the tournament progressed. During the dramatic final against France, Argentina surrendered a two-goal lead before the match finished 3-3 after extra time. Penalties decided the World Cup.
Montiel stepped forward to take Argentina’s fourth penalty. With extraordinary composure, he converted the kick past Hugo Lloris, securing Argentina’s third FIFA World Cup title and ending one of the greatest finals in football history.
His celebration instantly became one of the iconic images of the tournament. Few footballers have experienced the pressure of taking the penalty that wins a World Cup. Montiel converted it. That single moment secured his place in Argentine football history.
Gonzalo Montiel Net Worth
He has a net worth of $2 million. Gonzalo Montiel earns from football and endorsements.
He is one player who has continued to improve on his performance every game. His time with Sevilla was memorable before his return back to River Plate.
His endorsement deals are also lucrative as he is associated with some of the biggest brands in sport.
Gonzalo Montiel’s net worth will increase in the coming years as he continues playing football.