Borja Iglesias, affectionately known as “The Panda,” has re-established himself as a key figure in La Liga following his emotional return to Celta Vigo.
Known for his physical presence, clinical finishing, and socially conscious personality, the Spanish striker continues to make headlines both on and off the pitch.
In this article, you will know Borja Iglesias’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more details about his life.
Borja Iglesias’ Biography
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Borja Iglesias Quintas |
| Date of Birth | January 17, 1993 |
| Age | 32 |
| Education | Youth Academy of Valencia and Villarreal |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 86 kg |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
| Net Worth | ~£14.8 Million ($19 Million) |
| Current Salary | €2.4 Million per year |
| Partner | María Valero (Rumored/Linked) |
| Instagram Profile | @borjaiglesias9 |
| Twitter Profile | @BorjaIglesias9 |
Early Career
Borja Iglesias began his football journey in the youth ranks of Valencia and Villarreal, but his career truly began to take shape when he joined Celta Vigo’s reserve team, Celta B, in 2013.
It was during this period that his famous nickname “The Panda” was born, inspired by the song “Panda” by rapper Desiigner, which he and his teammates played constantly in the dressing room.
He became a prolific scorer for Celta B, netting 34 goals in 39 games during the 2016-17 season, which made him the top scorer in the history of the reserve team. despite his success with the B team, opportunities with the main squad were limited, leading him to seek playing time elsewhere.
This pushed him to join Real Zaragoza on loan, where he scored 22 goals in the Segunda División, proving he was ready for top-tier football.
Professional Career
Iglesias’s professional breakthrough in La Liga came after his transfer to Espanyol in 2018, where he scored 17 league goals in his debut season, helping the team qualify for the Europa League.
His impressive form earned him a €28 million transfer to Real Betis in 2019, where he became a fan favorite and played a crucial role in winning the 2021-22 Copa del Rey, earning the MVP award in the final.
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He joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan, where he was part of the historic squad that won the Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso.
Following this successful stint abroad, Iglesias returned to Spain in 2025, signing a permanent two-year contract with his boyhood club, Celta Vigo. His return was marked by strong performances, including a memorable hat-trick against Barcelona in April 2025.
Borja Iglesias’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Borja Iglesias has an estimated net worth of approximately £14.8 million ($19 million), accumulated through his contracts with top clubs like Real Betis, Bayer Leverkusen, and Celta Vigo.
Salary
Under his current contract with Celta Vigo, he agreed to a revised salary structure to fit the club’s financial model, earning approximately €2.4 million per year. This is a reduction from his peak earnings at Real Betis, where he earned over €3.6 million annually.
Contract
Borja signed a two-year contract with Celta de Vigo that runs through the 2025-2027 seasons. This deal secured his future at the club where he developed as a youth player. The agreement included revised terms compared to his previous high-earning contracts at Real Betis.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Celta Vigo | €2.4 Million |
| 2024-2025 | B. Leverkusen / Celta | €2.9 Million |
| 2023-2024 | Real Betis / Leverkusen | €2.6 Million |
| 2022-2023 | Real Betis | €2.1 Million |
| 2021-2022 | Real Betis | €2.1 Million |
| 2019-2020 | Real Betis | €1.7 Million |
| 2018-2019 | Espanyol | €1.5 Million |
Endorsements
Borja Iglesias maintains a select portfolio of endorsements, primarily headlined by his long-standing partnership with Adidas, which supplies his match-day footwear, specifically the X Crazyfast Elite models, and training apparel.
Beyond his technical sponsorship, “The Panda” has cultivated a unique personal brand through his distinct fashion sense and socially conscious public image, particularly his advocacy against racism and homophobia.
While he commands significant influence on social media within the lifestyle and fashion niches, he generally limits his commercial partnerships to those that align with his values rather than pursuing aggressive mass-market advertising deals.
Career Stats
| Season | Club | Competition | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Celta Vigo | La Liga | 14 | 5 |
| 2024-2025 | Celta Vigo (Loan) | La Liga | 32 | 11 |
| 2023-2024 | B. Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 10 | 0 |
| 2023-2024 | Real Betis | La Liga | 12 | 0 |
| 2022-2023 | Real Betis | La Liga | 35 | 15 |
| 2021-2022 | Real Betis | La Liga | 33 | 10 |
| 2020-2021 | Real Betis | La Liga | 28 | 11 |
| 2018-2019 | Espanyol | La Liga | 37 | 17 |
FAQs
1. Why is Borja Iglesias nicknamed “The Panda”?
The nickname originated from the hip-hop song “Panda” by Desiigner, which his former teammates at Celta B played constantly in the locker room. He embraced this identity fully and continues to use it today as a symbol of his roots in professional football.
2. Why does Iglesias paint his nails black?
Iglesias paints his nails black to actively support the fight against racism and homophobia within the sports world. He adopted this habit to raise awareness and uses his public platform to challenge traditional social norms in football culture.
3. Who is Borja Iglesias currently dating?
He is currently dating Maria Valero, who works as a digital content creator and influencer in Spain. The couple officially announced their relationship in June 2023 and frequently post photos of their daily life and travels together on social media platforms.
4. Did Iglesias win the Bundesliga title?
He earned a Bundesliga winner’s medal during his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen. He joined Xabi Alonso’s squad in January and helped the German team complete their historic undefeated league campaign before he returned to play in Spain.
5. Which team does Borja Iglesias play for?
The striker currently plays for Celta Vigo, having returned to his former club on a loan deal from Real Betis. He leads the attacking line for the Galician team and aims to help them secure a strong position in the La Liga table.
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