Juan Fernando Quintero

Born in Medellín, Colombia, he joined the youth squad for Envigado after an impressive performance during a youth tournament that took place in Medellin.[16]

Quintero joined the ranks of Atlético Nacional during 2011.

He then joined the ranks of Serie A Pescara months after joining Nacional, wasting no time in impressing European scouts.[17][18]

It was reported in early 2013 that Inter Milan and Udinese have confirmed their bidding interest. Although Udinese is the only club to have made an official bid.[19]

In early April 2013, it was reported that Quintero suffered an injury and would be out for a month.

In mid May 2013, Quintero posted on Twitter 'good bye and thank you' to Pescara, hinting that he was to leave in the Italian side in the summer. While Pescara claimed that he has not been 'sold', it hinted Quintero's desire to leave the club overall. [20][21]

Quintero joined Porto from Pescara for €5 million, with the Italian club retaining 50% of the economic rights.[22] Quintero signed a four-year contract with a release clause of €40 million.[22]

Quintero made his first full debut appearance in the 2013 Emirates Cup against Napoli. He assisted Porto's first goal.[23]

Quintero training with FC Porto in 2014

Quintero's first 'official' match with Porto began with the 2013 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, where he came on as a sub after 76 minutes when Porto were already ahead by 3-0. Porto went on to win the match, thus giving Quintero's very first silverware not only in Europe, but in his club career.[24]

Quintero debut in his first league match for the club against Vitoria Setubal, coming on as a sub and scoring less than a minute later.[25] Quintero provided his first assist for the club two weeks later against P. Ferreira in a 1–0 victory.[26] In a match against Vitória de Guimarães, Quintero drew a penalty that was successfully converted, thus granting him an assist in a 1–0 home victory. Quintero came in on the 90th minute against F.C. Arouca where he was then fouled near the box. He then converted an impressive free kick goal, seconds after only coming in.[27]

In late October, Quintero suffered a hamstring injury, expecting to be out for a month.[28]

Following his return in December, Quintero requested to play with the B-squad in order to keep his fitness up if he's not to get guarantee minutes with the A-squad.[29][30]

After a long period of matches spent solely on the bench, or coming on as a late substitute during Paulo Fonseca's time as manager, averaging around 20 minutes per game in the league, Quintero found his way back into the team under new manager Luís Castro. Quintero's next significant performance was against Napoli in the Europa League, where he came close to scoring his first goal in European competition, when a Napoli defender's clearance rebounded off his leg and hit the post.

Quintero scored his third goal of the season against Belenenses, coming on as a half time substitute and setting up several opportunities for teammate and fellow countryman Jackson Martínez, but eventually it would be Quintero who decided the game with the only goal in a 1–0 victory. Teammate Líca provided a low cross which was parried out by Belenenses goalkeeper Matt Jones, and Quintero came in for the rebound, driving a low shot underneath Matt Jones and in the back of the net.

Quintero made his first 90-minute appearance for Porto on 6 April 2014, in a home match against Académica. He provided somewhat of an assist, again for Jackson Martinez, when he was fouled in the box in the 38th minute, which resulted in a converted Jackson Martínez penalty. Quintero then scored his fourth goal of the season a week later, in the 91st minute in a 3–1 victory over S.C. Braga, after a counterattack which he started.

On 21 April, Quintero came on as a second-half substitute against fellow northerners Rio Ave and made a significant impact to the match. He was involved in all three of the goals, but only got one direct assist. A chipped through ball to Jackson Martinez resulted in him being brought down for a penalty, which Martínez scored. Next, another chipped through ball to Héctor Herrera resulted in a headed goal. The third goal of the game came from FC Porto right back Danilo, who scored a deflected free kick after Quintero had been fouled just outside the box.

Quintero missed Porto's first league game of the season due to a death in the family, but returned to the Porto squad for the next league match versus Paços de Ferreira. Coming on for the injured Cristian Tello, he provided the assist, yet again for fellow Colombian Jackson Martínez, for the only goal in a 1–0 victory for Porto.

Quintero scored his first goal of the season against F.C. Arouca from long distance, Porto ended up winning 0-5.

On 16 December 2014, Porto purchased the remaining 50% economic rights of Quintero from Pescara for €4.5 million, giving them complete ownership of him.[31]

Quintero signed a one-season length loan with Ligue 1 side Rennes. Quintero made his debut against OGC Nice, coming on as a sub and providing an assist in a 1–4 loss.[32] Quintero would eventually score his first goal for the club in the match against SM Caen, resulting in a 1–1 draw.[33]

Quintero stated in an interview that he intended to return to Porto after his loan ended despite rumors linking him to a stay.[34]

On 13 September 2016 it was reported that Quintero would return to the top flight Colombian league on loan to Independiente Medellín from Porto on a contract through December 2017.

On 24 January 2018, Quintero joined Argentine club River Plate on loan for one year.[35] The deal reportedly was settled in €300,000 and included a buyout clause of €5 million.[36][37] He got the number 8, and scored the winning goal for River Plate against Boca Juniors. He also made the famous pass to Pity Martinez to seal the deal 3-1. He's got a tattoo on the calf of his leg commemorating the occasion: River Plate's 4th Copa Libertadores.

River Plate made the transfer for Quintero for the amount of €3.5 million. Then, JuanFer took the number 10 after the departure of Pity Martinez to the MLS. He renewed his contract to June 2022 and included a buyout clause of €22 million.[38] In August 2019, he was nominated for the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award for his goal scored against Racing Club.[39] His goal eventually finished third, behind second place Lionel Messi, and winner Dániel Zsóri.

Quintero was called to represent Colombia wearing the number 10 jersey at the 2013 South American Youth Championship.[5][40] In the first match against Paraguay, he was voted man of the match after an impressive display setting up the 1–0 victory goal. In the match against a powerful Chile team, Quintero scored a penalty although Colombia lost 2–1.[41] In the match against Bolivia, Quintero assisted four of the six goals in a 6–0 victory.[42] In the final group stage match against Argentina, Colombia had already qualified thus he did not play until the second half where he scored with an amazing 50 yard free kick despite losing the match 2–3.[43][44]

In the first match of the final round, Quintero scored again from an impressive distance in a 2–1 victory over Ecuador.[45] This brought his goal tally to three and his assist tally to four.[40] Quintero scored with a penalty against Peru in a 1–0 allowing Colombia to qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.[46] In the final match against Paraguay who were also Colombia's very first opponent in the U20 South American Youth Championships, he scored a goal in a 2–1 victory where Colombia won the Youth Championships in South America for the third time. In total, Quintero had scored 5 goals and assisted 4 making him MVP of the championship for contributing more than any other player in the tournament.[11]

Quintero was set to join the U20 squad again for the 2013 Toulon Tournament, but Pescara refused to allow him to his call-up.[47] Prior to the U-20 World Cup, Quintero scored with an impressive free kick in a friendly against the U-20 squad of France.[48]

Quintero played an entertaining opening match performance of the U-20 FIFA World Cup that was held in Turkey. He made impressive shots with his free kicks as well as creating impressive chances. He set up Colombia's goal in the 78th minute where the game ended 1–1.[50] In the match against host nation Turkey, Quintero scored a wonderful goal from outside the box (20 yards), winning the game 1–0 and allowing Colombia to top the group.[51] In the last group match against El Savador, Quintero assisted the first goal and sealed the victory with an amazing 25 yard goal, allowing Colombia to win 3–0 and win the group.[52] Quintero then played in the next match against South Korea, and managed to save Colombia into extra time with an impressive free kick in the last few seconds of full-time. However, Colombia went on to lose on penalties eventually where he scored one in a 7–8 loss.[53] Despite Colombia failing to progress, Quintero was praised as the best player in the group stages.[54][14]

His goal against El Salvador was later voted as best goal of the tournament.[55]

Quintero expressed great interest in representing Colombia in 2016 for the Olympics in Brazil.[56]

In February 2016, Quintero was called up to play back to back friendlies against Honduras. He made his debut in the first match resulting in a 1–1 draw. Days later in the second match, he scored with a free kick in a 2-2 draw.[57]

In 2012, Quintero was called for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador, without making an appearance. He made his international debut in a friendly match against Cameroon later in the same year.

On 2 June 2014, Quintero was named in Colombia's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and assigned the number 20 shirt.[58] He made his World Cup debut against Ivory Coast in the group stage, coming on for Victor Ibarbo in the 53rd minute, and scored his first international goal to decide the 2–1 win for Los Cafeteros.[59]

In a friendly against Bahrain, Quintero assisted Radamel Falcao's first goal in a 6–0 victory.[60]

In May 2018, he was named in Colombia's preliminary 35 man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.[61] On 19 June 2018, he scored in the opening game against Japan with a free kick under the wall to tie the match 1–1 that ended in a 2–1 defeat. On 24 June 2018, Quintero played 73 minutes in Colombia's 3–0 victory over Poland and assisted to Radamel Falcao's goal in the 70th minute of the game. Four days later on 28 June 2018, he played 90 minutes of Colombia's final game in the group stage and provided the winning assist to Yerry Mina's goal off of a corner kick to secure first place in group H. On 3 July 2018, he played 88 minutes in the round of 16 game against England. He did not provide any goals or assists and Colombia went on to lose the game 3–4 on penalties. His goal against Japan was voted the second best goal of the world cup after Benjamin Pavard's goal against Argentina.

As of 4 June 2017[67]

As of 16 October 2018[68]

Scores and results lists Colombia's goal tally first.[69]

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Final	Competition
1.	19 June 2014	Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil	Ivory Coast	2–0	2–1	2014 FIFA World Cup
2.	23 March 2018	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	France	3–2	3–2	Friendly
3.	19 June 2018	Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia	Japan	1–1	1–2	2018 FIFA World Cup