Sebastián Soria

Andrés Sebastián Soria Quintana, known as Sebastián Soria, is a Uruguayan-born Qatari professional footballer who plays as a striker. He is best known for his prolific goal-scoring in the Qatar Stars League and for holding the record for the fastest goal in AFC Champions League history, scored in just 9 seconds while playing for Lekhwiya SC in 2013. Soria was shortlisted for the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2008 and has won multiple domestic league titles with Al-Gharafa and Lekhwiya. After naturalizing as a Qatari citizen, he represented the Qatar national team from 2007 to 2019, earning a winner's medal in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. As of 2026, he continues to play professionally in Qatar, now in a player-coach role with Muaither SC.[edit]

Soria grew up in Paysandú, a city in western Uruguay known for its football culture. He played street football and joined local youth academies before signing with Centro Atlético Fénix in Montevideo, making his senior debut in Uruguay's top division. In 2005, at age 21, he was scouted by Qatari club Al-Gharafa and made the move to the Middle East. The transfer marked a turning point: within two years, he had established himself as a top scorer in the Qatar Stars League and was granted Qatari citizenship, paving the way for his national team debut in 2007.[edit]

Soria's breakthrough came immediately after joining Al-Gharafa in 2005. He helped the club win the Qatar Stars League title in the 2006–07 season, scoring consistently. In 2007, he debuted for the Qatar national team, scoring against Bahrain. His reputation grew when he was shortlisted for the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2008. In 2010, he moved to Lekhwiya SC (now Al-Duhail), becoming the focal point of their attack. He won four more QSL titles with Lekhwiya (2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15) and added domestic cup trophies. On March 12, 2013, Soria scored the fastest goal in AFC Champions League history, finding the net after just 9 seconds against Al-Ittihad. He later played for Al-Rayyan and Al-Ahli (Doha), and helped Al-Markhiya gain promotion from the second division in 2020. As of 2026, he is with Muaither SC in a player-coach capacity.[edit]

Soria is regarded as a classic target man, known for his aerial ability, physical strength, and poacher's instinct. In the media, he is portrayed as a key figure in Qatar's 'Golden Generation' of the 2010s, a reliable goalscorer who helped elevate the domestic league. Fans at Al-Gharafa and Al-Duhail hold him in high esteem, often calling him 'El Matador'. On social media, he posts in Spanish and Arabic, sharing training clips and family moments. His public persona is professional and family-oriented, avoiding controversy.[edit]

Sebastián Soria remains a figure of significant regional recognition within Qatari football, yet his global footprint does not currently secure a position in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing and determined that he holds no placement in the current scope lists, meaning no specific ordinal rank is assigned to him among the world's most famous individuals as of August 2026. While his name carries weight in Asia for his longevity and historic achievements, he lacks the widespread celebrity status required to breach the top tier of global fame metrics. His audience consists primarily of sports enthusiasts rather than a general pop-culture following; unlike international superstars who command organized fan clubs or official group names, Soria interacts with supporters through standard professional channels. His digital presence on platforms like Instagram shows a modest following of approximately 12,000 users, where he shares training updates and family moments without the chaotic engagement typical of viral icons. The cultural narrative surrounding him is defined by his athletic endurance and the specific story of his potential to become the oldest outfield player in World Cup history, a verified sporting ambition noted by media outlets in 2026. This storyline, focusing on his naturalization from Uruguay and his nearly two-decade tenure with the Qatar national team, serves as his primary legend. There are no reports of street shutdowns, fainting crowds, or fan-funded projects dedicated to his legacy; his reputation rests on consistent professionalism and the quiet respect of those who followed his career from the early 2000s through his prime years at Lekhwiya and Al-Gharafa.[edit]

Soria holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest goal in AFC Champions League history, netting the ball just nine seconds into a match for Lekhwiya SC. Despite his Uruguayan birth, he never represented any Uruguayan national youth team, choosing instead to focus on his development in Qatar. He is one of the few athletes to have played for both Al-Gharafa and Lekhwiya, two of the nation's fiercest rivals. Among Qatari fans, he is affectionately known as 'El Matador', a nod to his South American heritage and clinical finishing ability. A notable moment in his international career occurred when he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Lebanon, a match widely credited with keeping Qatar's World Cup qualification hopes alive. In May 2026, at the age of 42, Soria entered a new chapter of his legacy by being called up to the national team, placing him in contention to break the record for the oldest outfield player to appear in a FIFA World Cup tournament, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Cristiano Ronaldo.[edit]

Soria is married to Valentina, a Uruguayan woman whose surname is not publicly known. The couple has a son named Thiago, born in Qatar. Soria has stated that his family is the reason he feels deeply connected to Qatar. His parents and siblings remain in Uruguay, but he rarely discusses them in interviews. The family lives in Doha, where Soria has settled permanently.[edit]

Soria played under coach Djamel Belmadi at Lekhwiya and later on the Qatar national team. He was a long-time teammate of fellow naturalized players Karim Boudiaf and Boualem Khoukhi, forming a core group. He also played alongside Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos and younger star Akram Afif, who eventually succeeded him as the main striker.[edit]

Soria has been married to Valentina since around 2008, though the exact year is not public. The couple has at least one son, Thiago. They maintain a low-profile relationship, with Soria rarely discussing details in interviews. There are no credible reports of any other long-term relationships, divorces, or flings. As of 2026, he remains married to Valentina and lives with his family in Doha.[edit]

Updated for 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Sebastián Soria's net worth at $6 Million. His financial standing is the result of a long and lucrative career in the Qatar Stars League, where he commanded high salaries during his stints with major clubs such as Al-Gharafa, Lekhwiya, and Al-Rayyan. Beyond base wages, he accumulated substantial wealth through performance bonuses tied to winning domestic league titles and cup competitions. Additional income streams include endorsement deals with various Qatari brands and earnings from a modest social media presence. He is not associated with major business ventures outside of football, though he likely maintains real estate holdings in both Qatar and Uruguay. His financial growth has been steady over the decades, reaching its peak during his dominant years with Lekhwiya.[edit]

Soria won five Qatar Stars League titles (2006-07, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15), the Qatar Emir Cup in 2012, the Qatar Crown Prince Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015), and the Sheikh Jassim Cup in 2015. He was part of the Qatar squad that won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.[edit]