Luis Mejía is one of Central America’s most experienced goalkeepers, and in 2026 he is at the peak of his reputation.
Known by the nickname “Manotas,” the Panamanian shot-stopper has spent nearly two decades building his career across Uruguay, France, Spain, and Chile. With over 56 senior international caps for Panama and a place in their FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, Mejía’s profile has never been higher.
This article covers his full career, contract at Club Nacional, estimated net worth, and everything in between.
Luis Mejía’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luis Ricardo Mejía Cajar |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1991 |
| Age | 35 |
| Place of Birth | Panama City, Panama |
| Nationality | Panamanian |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lbs) |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Current Club | Club Nacional (Uruguay) |
| Turned Professional | 2007 (Tauro FC) |
| International Caps | 56 (Panama senior team) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 |
| Current Contract Expires | December 31, 2026 |
| Player Agent | Blessed Soccer |
| Nickname | Manotas |
Early Life & Career
Luis Ricardo Mejía Cajar was born on March 16, 1991, in Panama City, Panama. He grew up in a country where football was deeply embedded in the culture, and from an early age it was clear he had the physical tools — and the instincts — to make a career between the posts.
Mejía joined the youth academy of Tauro FC, one of Panama’s most traditional clubs, in 2005. He spent two years developing there before making a significant move in 2008, crossing to South America to join Centro Atlético Fénix in Uruguay.
The transition to Uruguayan football was not instant — he trained with the squad and waited for his opportunity patiently.
On the international youth stage, Mejía was already making an impression.
He represented the Panama U-17 team in 2005–2006 and then graduated to the U-20 squad, where he featured in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada as the youngest goalkeeper in the tournament.
Those performances announced him as a genuine talent in the CONCACAF region.
He also played in the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, where his consistent form helped Panama qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
His senior international debut came on June 8, 2009, against Jamaica in a friendly, and he never looked back at that level.
Professional Career
Mejía’s senior club debut arrived on August 21, 2010, in a Fénix match against Tacuarembó.
He was named man of the match — a fitting start for a goalkeeper who would go on to become a fixture in Uruguayan football.
His performances attracted European attention, and in January 2011 he was loaned to Toulouse FC in France’s Ligue 1.
Competition at Toulouse was fierce, and he was limited to reserve team appearances before returning to Fénix.
Back in Uruguay, Mejía re-established himself as one of the better goalkeepers in the Primera División. His consistent form earned him a move to Club Nacional in 2015, one of the biggest clubs in South American football.
Over the next five seasons, he accumulated 61 appearances for Nacional, keeping 29 clean sheets and conceding 57 goals.
He won the Liga AUF title in 2016 and 2019, as well as the Super Copa in 2019 — establishing himself as a key figure in one of the continent’s historic clubs.
After losing his starting spot to Sergio Rochet at Nacional around 2020, Mejía moved on, returning to Fénix for a season in 2021 before signing for Chilean top-flight side Unión Española in January 2022.
In Chile he played 21 appearances across league and cup competitions. A loan move to Racing de Montevideo in mid-2023 followed, before Nacional brought him back permanently in January 2024 for a fee of €64,000.
He renewed his contract with the club in December 2024, committing through to the end of 2026 with an option for a further year.
On the international stage, as reported by Transfermarkt, Mejía has accumulated 56 caps for Panama with no goals conceded at the other end of the scoreline.
He was part of the Panama squad that finished as runners-up at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, losing the final 1-0 to Mexico — his country’s best-ever showing in the competition.
In May 2026, FEPAFUT confirmed his inclusion in Panama’s 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Panama were drawn into Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana.
Luis Mejía’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Luis Mejía has an estimated net worth of $500,000.
He built this wealth through a long professional career spanning Uruguay, France, Chile, and Panama’s national team circuit — with consistent income from club salaries and international duty over more than 15 years as a professional.
Contract
According to Transfermarkt, Mejía signed a new contract with Club Nacional in December 2024 that runs through December 31, 2026, with an option for an additional year.
This renewal came after his return to the club in January 2024, when Nacional paid Unión Española a transfer fee of €64,000 to bring him back. His agent, Blessed Soccer, facilitated the negotiations.
At 35, the contract extension reflects Nacional’s trust in his experience and the stability he brings to their goalkeeping position heading into the Copa Libertadores cycle.
Salary
Mejía’s publicly listed wage in gaming databases such as EA FC 26 is estimated at around €13,000 per month — a figure consistent with mid-to-senior-level earners in the Uruguayan Primera División.
Top-flight wages in Uruguay vary significantly by club, and Nacional, as one of the country’s wealthiest clubs, typically pay competitive rates.
There is no officially disclosed annual salary figure for Mejía. Based on available market estimates, his annual earnings at Nacional are likely in the range of $120,000–$150,000 when combining base salary and match bonuses.
He also earns appearance fees as part of Panama’s national team squad.
Career Earnings By Year
| Period | Club | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2010–2015 | Centro Atlético Fénix | ~$30,000–$50,000 |
| 2011 | Toulouse FC (loan) | ~$60,000 |
| 2015–2021 | Club Nacional | ~$80,000–$120,000 |
| 2021 | Fénix | ~$50,000 |
| 2022–2023 | Unión Española | ~$80,000–$100,000 |
| 2023 | Racing de Montevideo (loan) | ~$60,000 |
| 2024–2026 | Club Nacional | ~$120,000–$150,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2015 | Fénix | Uruguayan Primera División | ~60 | ~15 | — |
| 2011 | Toulouse FC (loan) | Ligue 1 / Reserve | — | — | — |
| 2015–2021 | Club Nacional | Uruguayan Primera División | 61 | 29 | — |
| 2021 | Fénix | Uruguayan Primera División | 20 | 7 | 73.6% |
| 2022–2023 | Unión Española | Chilean Primera División | 21 | 4 | 67.7% |
| 2023 | Racing de Montevideo (loan) | Uruguayan Primera División | 13 | 4 | 62.9% |
| 2024 | Club Nacional | Uruguayan Primera División | 31 | 15 | 64.5% |
| 2025 | Club Nacional | Liga AUF Uruguaya | 27 | 8 | 65.8% |
| Panama (Senior) | International | Various | 56 | — | — |
FAQs
What is Luis Mejía’s net worth?
Luis Mejía’s estimated net worth is approximately $500,000. He accumulated this through his long professional career at clubs including Nacional, Unión Española, and Fénix, plus 15+ years of international service with Panama.
Where does Luis Mejía play?
He plays as the first-choice goalkeeper for Club Nacional in the Uruguayan Primera División. His contract with the club runs through with an option for a further year that was negotiated as part of his December 2024 renewal.
Is Luis Mejía in Panama’s World Cup 2026 squad?
Yes. FEPAFUT confirmed in May 2026 that Mejía is part of Panama’s 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He is listed among three goalkeepers alongside Orlando Mosquera and César Samudio.
How many international caps does Luis Mejía have?
Mejía has earned 56 senior caps for the Panama national team. His debut came on June 8, 2009, against Jamaica, and he has since competed in CONCACAF Gold Cups, Nations League tournaments, and World Cup qualifying campaigns.
What is Luis Mejía’s nickname?
His nickname is “Manotas,” a Spanish term roughly meaning “big hands” — a nod to his shot-stopping ability. He confirmed the name himself in interviews when he joined Unión Española in 2022.
