Orbelín Pineda has quietly become one of the most important midfielders in European football outside the top five leagues.
The Mexican international built his fortune through standout contracts in Liga MX, a loan spell in La Liga, and a lucrative long-term deal with AEK Athens in Greece.
This article covers everything you need to know about Orbelín Pineda’s net worth, salary, career earnings, and professional journey.
Orbelín Pineda’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Orbelín Pineda Alvarado |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1996 |
| Age | 30 years old |
| Place of Birth | Coyuca de Catalán, Guerrero, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Central Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | AEK Athens (Greek Super League) |
| Shirt Number | #13 |
| Turned Professional | 2014 (Querétaro FC) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$5 million USD |
| Annual Salary | ~€1.4–1.5 million per year |
| Contract Expires | June 30, 2027 |
| Wife | Gabriela Ríos |
| Agent | Kick Talent |
Early Life & Career
Orbelín Pineda Alvarado was born on March 24, 1996, in the small municipality of Coyuca de Catalán, in the Mexican state of Guerrero.
Like many players who rise out of modest circumstances, he had to work his way through the youth ranks of Querétaro FC, a club in central Mexico that has produced several talented players over the years.
Pineda caught the eye of Querétaro’s senior coaching staff at just 17 years old, when manager Ignacio Ambríz included him in the first-team setup. He made his professional debut on January 21, 2014, in a Copa MX match against Club Celaya.
His competitive Liga MX debut followed on August 1, 2014, in a 2–0 win over Pachuca, where his technical skill and intelligence on the ball immediately stood out.
His development at Querétaro was rapid. He featured for the Mexico U-20 national team under coach Sergio Almaguer and attracted interest from Liga MX’s bigger clubs.
By 2015, as an ESPN feature noted, Pineda was already showing wisdom and talent beyond his years, a remarkable quality for a teenager playing in the top flight of Mexican football.
Professional Career
Liga MX giant Guadalajara — widely known as Chivas — signed Pineda on a five-year contract.
He made his official debut with Chivas on January 10, 2016, against Veracruz, and scored his first goal for the club just six days later against Cruz Azul.
His defining moment at Guadalajara came in 2018, when he was part of the Chivas squad that won the Concacaf Champions League, defeating Toronto FC in penalty kicks in the final.
In December 2018, Cruz Azul made a significant investment in Pineda, signing him for a reported $12 million.
He justified that fee with a series of outstanding performances, helping Cruz Azul win the Supercopa MX in 2019 and the inaugural Leagues Cup that same year.
His most celebrated moment at Cruz Azul came in 2021, when he played a key role in their historic Guardianes 2021 Liga MX title win — the club’s first league championship in 23 years.
His performances earned him a loan move to Celta Vigo in Spain’s La Liga for the 2021–22 season.
On July 1, 2023, AEK Athens permanently signed Pineda from Celta de Vigo for €6.5 million on a four-year deal through 2027.
At AEK, he has flourished as a key figure, with his most recent highlight coming on April 18, 2026 — a goal and an assist in a 3–0 win over rival PAOK, as AEK chased the Greek Super League title.
As of the 2025/26 season, he holds an average FotMob rating of 7.42 across 25 appearances.
On the international stage, Pineda has earned over 60 caps for the Mexico national team and has been a consistent figure in El Tri’s midfield across multiple World Cup cycles.
Wife
Orbelín Pineda is married to Gabriela Ríos, whom he affectionately calls “Gabby”. The couple first met in 2016, and their relationship has grown alongside Pineda’s rise through professional football.
Gabriela has become a public personality in her own right, with over 150,000 followers on Instagram, and she regularly accompanies Pineda to his matches.
Together, the couple has two children — one son and one daughter.
Orbelín Pineda’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Orbelín Pineda’s has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
He built this wealth through his professional soccer contracts across Liga MX clubs including Querétaro, Chivas, and Cruz Azul, a La Liga stint with Celta Vigo, and his ongoing high-earning role at AEK Athens in Greece.
Contract
Pineda’s current contract with AEK Athens runs until June 30, 2027, after the club signed him permanently from Celta de Vigo for a transfer fee of €6.5 million in July 2023.
The original deal included notable release clauses — €8 million for clubs in Mexico or the United States, and €10 million for clubs in the Middle East.
AEK has since explored a contract extension offer through 2029, with a potential option until 2030, reflecting how highly the club values him.
According to TransferFeed, AEK even aimed to make Pineda the highest-paid player on their roster as part of that extension push.
Salary
Pineda currently earns an estimated annual salary of around €1.4–1.5 million per year at AEK Athens, according to FootyStats salary data for the Greek Super League.
Earlier reports from SportySalaries suggested his weekly wage, including bonuses, could reach approximately €60,000 during strong contractual performance periods.
His salary has grown significantly from his earlier Liga MX years, reflecting his value in European football.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Annual Salary (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | Cruz Azul | ~$1.2M USD (transfer fee basis) |
| 2019–2020 | Cruz Azul | ~€660,000 |
| 2020–2021 | Cruz Azul | ~€465,661 |
| 2021–2022 | Celta Vigo (La Liga) | ~€840,000 |
| 2022–2023 | RC Celta / AEK Athens | ~£710,262 |
| 2023–2024 | AEK Athens | ~€1.3 million |
| 2024–2025 | AEK Athens | ~€1.4 million |
| 2025–2026 | AEK Athens | ~€1.4–1.5 million |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Querétaro | Liga MX | 29 | 5 | — |
| 2015–16 to 2018–19 | Guadalajara (Chivas) | Liga MX | ~100 | ~15 | — |
| 2019–20 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | 25 | 3 | — |
| 2020–21 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | 32 | 4 | — |
| 2021–22 | Celta Vigo | La Liga | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2021–22 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | 12 | 1 | — |
| 2022–23 | AEK Athens | Super League | 36 | 9 | — |
| 2023–24 | AEK Athens | Super League | 33 | 3 | — |
| 2024–25 | AEK Athens | Super League | 30 | 1 | 2 |
| 2025–26 | AEK Athens | Super League | 26 | 4 | 1 |
| Career Total | 376+ | 42+ | 28+ |
FAQs
What is Orbelín Pineda’s net worth?
Orbelín Pineda’s estimated net worth is around $5 million USD. He earned this through contracts at Cruz Azul, Celta Vigo, and AEK Athens, plus his ongoing salary in Greece.
How much does Orbelín Pineda earn per year?
He earns an estimated €1.4 to €1.5 million per year at AEK Athens. His weekly wage, including bonuses, can reach approximately €60,000 during strong performance cycles.
What club does Orbelín Pineda play?
He plays for AEK Athens in the Greek Super League. The club permanently signed him from Celta Vigo in July 2023 for a transfer fee of €6.5 million on a deal through June 2027.
Who is Orbelín Pineda’s wife?
Orbelín Pineda is married to Gabriela Ríos. The couple met, and they have two children together. Gabriela is active on social media with over 150,000 Instagram followers.
What trophies has Orbelín Pineda won?
He won the Concacaf Champions League with Chivas, the Supercopa MX and inaugural Leagues Cup with Cruz Azul, and the historic Liga MX Guardianes 2021 title with Cruz Azul.
