Last updated on: June 20, 2026
There are footballers whose journeys begin with polished academies, private coaches, and every possible advantage. Miguel Almirón’s story is not one of them.
Born on 10 February 1994 in the working-class neighborhood of San Pablo in Asunción, Paraguay, he grew up in a small house where money was always tight and dreams often felt out of reach. His father worked punishing security shifts that sometimes stretched 18 or 24 hours. His mother spent long days at the supermarket, often taking on extra work just so her children could keep chasing something better. In that cramped three-bedroom home shared by seven family members, young Miguel slept in the same bed as his mother until he was 18.
Yet from those humble beginnings emerged one of Paraguay’s most respected and beloved footballers — a player who has worn the shirts of Cerro Porteño, Lanús, Atlanta United (twice), and Newcastle United, and who started for his country in the 2026 World Cup.
Behind every goal, every tireless run, and every moment of joy he has given fans across continents lies something far more powerful than talent alone. It is the story of a family that refused to let circumstances write their son’s future. A mother’s quiet faith. A father’s steady pride. Grandparents and an uncle who quietly carried him when the path felt impossible. A high-school sweetheart who became his anchor through every move and every challenge. And a little boy named Francesco who arrived as a miracle when hope was needed most.
This is the full story of Miguel Almirón’s family — the people who shaped the man, the player, and the father he is today.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings in San Pablo, Asunción
Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala entered the world in a neighborhood where most families lived day to day. San Pablo was never wealthy, but it was rich in the kind of community spirit that often grows in places where everyone understands struggle. From a very young age, Miguel’s life revolved around two things: his family and a ball.
His father, Rubén Almirón, worked as a security guard, regularly putting in shifts that would exhaust most people. Sometimes those shifts stretched through the night and into the next day. His mother, Sonia Rejala, worked at a local supermarket, often taking on extra hours or double shifts. Together they did whatever it took to keep food on the table and give their children a chance at something more.
The house they lived in was small — only three bedrooms for seven people. Space was tight, privacy almost nonexistent. For many years, Miguel shared a bed with his mother. It was not unusual in their world, but it spoke volumes about the sacrifices being made every single day. Even as a child, he understood that nothing came easily. He watched his parents leave early and come home late, tired but determined. That image never left him.
Football became his escape and his obsession. He would play in the dusty streets and borrowed patches of ground whenever he could. Getting to proper training sessions, however, required help. The family simply did not have the resources for regular transport or equipment. Yet somehow, Miguel kept showing up. His determination was already visible — that same relentless energy that would later make him one of the most hardworking attacking midfielders in MLS and the Premier League.
By the time he was a teenager, the dream had grown bigger. He wanted to become a professional not just for himself, but for the people who had given everything for him. One day, he told himself, he would buy a proper house for his parents. It was a promise he quietly carried. Years later, after signing with Lanús in Argentina in 2015, he made good on that promise. He bought a house in the same area where he grew up — big enough for his parents, his sister, his grandfather, and his uncle to live together comfortably. The boy who once shared a bed with his mother had given his family a home of their own.
Those early years in San Pablo forged something deep in Miguel. He learned the value of hard work, humility, and loyalty. He understood that success is never truly individual. Every time he steps onto the pitch wearing the Paraguayan shirt or the Atlanta United colors, he carries the memory of those long days and the people who made them bearable.
The Quiet Heroes: Extended Family’s Role in Miguel’s Journey
While his parents worked endless hours, it was the wider family circle that often made Miguel’s football dream possible on a practical level. In many ways, his grandparents and uncle became the unsung heroes of his story.
His grandfather, affectionately known as “Chelo,” played a particularly special role. He would take young Miguel to training sessions and matches, often waiting patiently for hours — sometimes in the rain — just so the boy could finish what he started. It was not glamorous work. There were no cameras or recognition. Just quiet, consistent love. In a recent heartfelt message to his family, Miguel spoke directly about this: his grandparents had raised him too, and their presence at training and games had been fundamental.
His uncle Diego helped in more practical ways. He would drive or arrange transport when Miguel needed to travel across Paraguay for trials and youth tournaments. At times, he even lent money so Miguel could chase opportunities that the family budget simply could not cover. These small but vital acts of support removed barriers that could have easily ended the dream before it truly began.
Miguel also grew up with a sister. The two shared the same modest upbringing and the same hardworking mother who did her best to support both of them. The household of seven — parents, children, grandparents, and uncle — was crowded and sometimes chaotic, but it was full of people who believed in him even when results were slow to come.
What stands out most about this extended family is how ordinary their sacrifices felt to them. They were not trying to create a star. They were simply doing what families do: showing up, helping where they could, and refusing to let one of their own give up. That foundation of unconditional support gave Miguel something priceless — the emotional security to keep believing in himself during the many moments when progress felt uncertain.
Even today, long after he has achieved professional success and financial stability, those early bonds remain strong. The family he grew up with still lives together in the house he bought for them. The same people who once helped a skinny kid chase a ball in Asunción now watch with pride as he represents Paraguay on the biggest stages in world football.
These early chapters — the cramped house, the exhausted parents, the grandfather waiting in the rain, the uncle’s quiet help — are not just background. They are the soil in which Miguel Almirón’s character was grown. Everything that came later, including the beautiful family he has built with his wife Alexia and their son Francesco, rests on this foundation of love, sacrifice, and quiet resilience.
Parents Rubén Almirón and Sonia Rejala: The Pillars Behind the Dream
Every great story has its quiet foundations, and for Miguel Almirón, those foundations were built by two extraordinary people who asked for nothing in return.
His father, Rubén Almirón, worked as a security guard for years, often enduring shifts of 12, 18, or even 24 hours. He was an Olimpia fan who carried the passion for football in his blood, but more importantly, he carried a deep sense of responsibility for his family. When Miguel got his first real opportunity to move to Argentina and join Lanús in 2015, Rubén went with him. He left everything familiar behind to support his son in a foreign country during those crucial early professional years. Even years later, Rubén has spoken with quiet pride about his son’s journey, remembering the single trip he made to the United States to watch Miguel play for Atlanta United — an experience he described as feeling like “another planet.”
But it was Miguel’s mother, Sonia Rejala, whose emotional strength and daily sacrifices left the deepest mark. She worked long hours at a supermarket, often taking on extra shifts so her children would never have to go without. There were mornings when she woke up at 4 a.m. to catch the bus and evenings when she wouldn’t return until 9 or 10 p.m. Yet she still found the energy to be present for Miguel’s dreams. One of the most powerful moments in his early life came when a young Miguel, discouraged after being placed in the lowest team at the academy, told his mother he wanted to quit. Sonia refused to let him give up. She believed in him when he struggled to believe in himself.
Miguel has never forgotten these sacrifices. In a heartfelt message to his family after achieving his World Cup dream with Paraguay, he spoke directly to his mother: “Mom, you’ve been such an important pillar for this family. You dealt with so much, always helping my sister and me.” He has also thanked his father for always looking after him and guiding him through career decisions. These are not just polite words — they are the honest reflections of a man who knows exactly who carried him when the path was hardest.
Rubén and Sonia didn’t just raise a footballer. They raised a son who understands the true cost of opportunity and the value of never taking anything for granted. Their example of tireless work, quiet dignity, and unconditional love continues to guide Miguel both on and off the pitch.
The Love Story: How Alexia Notto Became Miguel Almirón’s Anchor
Some love stories begin with grand gestures. Miguel Almirón and Alexia Notto’s began with something far simpler — and far more beautiful.
It happened on an ordinary afternoon at a dusty youth football pitch in Asunción. Alexia had gone to watch her brother Alejandro play in a match for the Cerro Porteño academy, more out of family duty than real interest in the game. She was short-sighted at the time and couldn’t see faces clearly from a distance. But she noticed one skinny kid wearing the number 10 jersey who never stopped running. He chased every ball, covered every blade of grass, and eventually scored the winning goal. Something about his energy and determination stayed with her.
Later, she learned his name was Miguel Almirón. She asked for a photo and sent him a Facebook friend request. What followed were conversations that slowly turned into something deeper. Miguel accepted an invitation to her home, and from that moment, their lives began to intertwine. They were high school sweethearts who grew up together, supporting each other through the uncertain early years of Miguel’s career.
On 29 August 2016, they got married. By then, Miguel’s journey had already taken him from Cerro Porteño to Lanús in Argentina. Alexia chose to walk that path with him. She left the comfort of home and family in Paraguay to build a life in a new country. When the opportunity came to join Atlanta United in MLS, she moved again. And when Newcastle United came calling in 2019, she packed up once more and followed him to England.
Alexia’s own background made her uniquely suited to understand the football world. She came from a family connected to the game — her brother Alejandro played in the Cerro Porteño youth system. Outside of supporting Miguel, she has built her own identity as a dancer, Zumba instructor, and social media influencer. But her greatest role has always been as Miguel’s anchor.
She has stood by him through the highs of MLS Cup glory and the lows of criticism in the Premier League. She supported him during personal losses, including the difficult period when her own grandfather passed away while they were living in England during COVID lockdowns. Through every move, every challenge, and every moment of doubt, Alexia has been the steady presence Miguel could return to. As he has said himself, she is now the most important person in his life alongside their son.
Their love story is not flashy. It is built on quiet sacrifice, deep understanding, and the choice to keep showing up for each other no matter where football takes them.
Welcoming Francesco: A Miracle That Brought Hope
In June 2021, Miguel and Alexia’s world changed forever with the arrival of their son, Francesco.
The pregnancy came during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. They were living in England during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns made it impossible for Alexia to return to Paraguay when she needed her family most. Around the same time, she was grieving the loss of her grandfather. She has openly shared that she fell into a deep depression, crying every day while trying to protect the new life growing inside her.
It was in the middle of that darkness that she discovered she was pregnant. Francesco’s arrival felt like more than just the birth of a child. Alexia has described him as “God’s gift” — a small miracle who reminded her that hope still existed even when the world felt unkind. He became a source of light and purpose during a time when both parents needed it most.
Francesco was born on 6 June 2021. Today, in 2026, he is a lively five-year-old who has already traveled more than most children his age. He has lived in Paraguay, the United States, and England, yet his parents have worked hard to keep him connected to his Paraguayan roots. Family holidays back in Asunción, traditional celebrations, and regular time with grandparents and extended family are non-negotiable.
Parenthood has changed Miguel and Alexia in beautiful ways. They speak often about prioritizing Francesco’s happiness above everything else. Miguel has shared how special it was to return to Atlanta United in 2025 and experience that homecoming with his young son by his side. The same boy who once chased dreams for his own parents now finds his greatest joy in being a father.
Francesco represents the next chapter of the Almirón family story — a story that began with sacrifice and has grown into one of love, resilience, and hope for the future.
Current Family Life and the 2026 World Cup Journey
As of 2026, Miguel Almirón’s family life has found a new rhythm, even as his career continues to evolve.
After five impactful years at Newcastle United, Miguel returned to Atlanta United in 2025 — a move that felt like coming home in more ways than one. Atlanta had been the place where he and Alexia first built their life together in the United States, and returning there with their young son Francesco has brought a sense of completeness. The city holds special memories, and being back has allowed the family to settle into a more familiar routine while still embracing the demands of professional football.
Throughout Paraguay’s 2026 World Cup campaign, Alexia and Francesco have been a visible and emotional source of support. Whether watching from the stands or following every match with pride, they have been part of the journey that saw Miguel and his teammates end a long wait for their country. The sight of Miguel representing Paraguay on the biggest stage, with his wife and son cheering him on, captures everything that matters most to him.
Even with the fame and the constant travel, Miguel and Alexia have worked hard to protect what is real. Family remains at the center. They stay closely connected with relatives back in Paraguay, make time for meaningful moments together, and continue to lean on the same values that carried Miguel from those early days in San Pablo. Faith also plays a quiet but important role in their lives — Miguel has shared religious quotes through tattoos on his arms, reflecting a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose.
In many ways, the 2026 World Cup has felt like a full-circle moment. The boy who once needed his grandfather to take him to training is now a father himself, playing for his nation while his own son watches from the stands. And through it all, the family that started with so little continues to be the greatest source of strength.
What Family Means to Miguel Almirón: His Own Words
Throughout his career, Miguel Almirón has rarely spoken about himself without mentioning the people who stood beside him. In recent years, especially around Paraguay’s return to the World Cup, he has opened up more than ever about what family truly means to him.
In a heartfelt message shared with his loved ones, Miguel wrote:
“This was all only possible because of my family. My mother, my father, my grandparents – you all played a crucial role in my development, both as a man and as a soccer player. Now, my wife Alexia is the most important person in my life, along with our son, Francesco.”
He went further, speaking directly to his mother:
“Mom, you’ve been such an important pillar for this family. You dealt with so much, always helping my sister and me.”
To his grandparents, he expressed deep gratitude for the quiet, everyday sacrifices that shaped him:
“You also raised me. You were so important because you’d take me to training sessions and games, always by my side.”
These are not the words of a man simply fulfilling media obligations. They reflect someone who has never forgotten where he came from or who carried him when the dream felt impossible. Miguel has often said that “anything is possible with family and country.” It is a phrase that captures his entire philosophy — success is never individual.
The 2025 documentary Miguel Almirón Contar Contigo, produced by Atlanta United, explores this theme deeply. It shows how his relentless pursuit of excellence on the pitch has always been matched by the unwavering love of his wife Alexia and the family that continues to shape his journey. The film captures what fans have long sensed: behind the smiles and the tireless work rate is a man whose greatest strength comes from the people he loves most.
For Miguel, family is not just support. It is the reason. It is the reminder of why he keeps pushing, why he stays grounded, and why every achievement feels incomplete without them beside him.
Miguel Almirón Family at a Glance
To help readers quickly understand the relationships that matter most in Miguel’s life, here is a simple overview of his immediate and extended family:
Parents
- Father: Rubén Almirón (former security guard, lifelong supporter of Miguel’s career)
- Mother: Sonia Rejala (supermarket worker whose quiet strength and belief kept Miguel going during difficult times)
Siblings
- One sister (Miguel has publicly thanked his mother for supporting both of them during their upbringing)
Wife
- Alexia Notto (married 29 August 2016; dancer, Zumba instructor, and influencer who has moved countries with Miguel throughout his career)
Children
- Son: Francesco (born 6 June 2021)
Extended Family
- Grandfather “Chelo” and grandmother (key figures who helped raise Miguel and took him to training)
- Uncle Diego (provided practical support, including transport and help with trials)
- The wider family continues to live together in the house Miguel bought for them in Asunción after his move to Lanús in 2015.
This close-knit structure remains one of the most important constants in Miguel’s life, no matter where football takes him.
Suggested Visual: A clean, modern family tree infographic (I can provide a detailed prompt for you to generate this image if you’d like).
Frequently Asked Questions About Miguel Almirón’s Family
Who is Miguel Almirón’s wife?
Miguel Almirón is married to Alexia Notto. They met as teenagers in Paraguay when Alexia saw him play at a youth match. They married on 29 August 2016 and have supported each other through every stage of his career across Paraguay, Argentina, the United States, and England.
Does Miguel Almirón have children?
Yes. Miguel and Alexia have one son, Francesco, who was born on 6 June 2021. Francesco is now five years old (as of 2026) and is a central part of their family life.
What are the names of Miguel Almirón’s parents?
His father is Rubén Almirón and his mother is Sonia Rejala. Both worked extremely hard during Miguel’s childhood — Rubén as a security guard with very long shifts and Sonia at a supermarket — to give their children better opportunities.
When and where did Miguel Almirón get married?
Miguel married his high school sweetheart, Alexia Notto, on 29 August 2016 in Paraguay.
Where does Miguel Almirón’s family live?
Miguel, Alexia, and Francesco are currently based in Atlanta, United States, following his return to Atlanta United in 2025. His extended family (parents, sister, grandparents, and uncle) still live together in Asunción, Paraguay, in the house Miguel bought for them.
How has Alexia Notto supported Miguel’s career?
Alexia has moved with Miguel through every major transfer — from Paraguay to Argentina, then to Atlanta, Newcastle, and back to Atlanta. She has been his emotional anchor, especially during challenging periods, while also building her own career as a dancer, Zumba instructor, and influencer.
What role did Miguel’s grandparents play in his life?
Miguel’s grandfather (known as “Chelo”) and grandmother were deeply involved in raising him. His grandfather regularly took him to training sessions and waited for him, often in difficult conditions. Miguel has publicly credited them with playing a crucial role in his development.
Is there any information about more children?
As of 2026, Miguel and Alexia have one publicly known child — their son Francesco. The family has maintained a relatively private approach to their personal life while occasionally sharing joyful moments.
Conclusion: The Real Story Behind the Player
Miguel Almirón’s journey from the narrow streets of San Pablo in Asunción to the bright lights of the 2026 World Cup is often told through goals, assists, and trophies. But the real story — the one that explains who he truly is — has always been about family.
It was his parents, Rubén and Sonia, who worked themselves to exhaustion so he could keep dreaming. It was his grandparents and uncle who quietly removed every obstacle they could. It was his sister who shared the same modest upbringing. It was Alexia Notto who chose to walk beside him through every country and every challenge. And it is now little Francesco who reminds him every day what truly matters.
From sharing a bed with his mother until he was 18 to buying a home for his entire family, Miguel has never stopped trying to give back to the people who gave him everything. He has carried their sacrifices with him onto every pitch and into every dressing room. And in return, they have given him the strength, humility, and love that no amount of talent alone can provide.
In a world that often celebrates individual brilliance, Miguel Almirón’s story is a powerful reminder that the greatest achievements are rarely solo efforts. They are built on the quiet, daily love of mothers who work double shifts, fathers who believe without question, partners who sacrifice without complaint, and children who bring new hope.
This is the family behind the player. This is the love that made everything possible.
