Darwin Quintero facts for kids

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Darwin Quintero
Personal information
Quintero playing for Minnesota United FC in 2018
Full name	Carlos Darwin Quintero Villalba
Date of birth	(1987-09-19) 19 September 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Tumaco, Colombia
Height	1.65 m
Playing position	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club	Deportivo Pereira
Number	7
Youth career
2004–2005	Deportes Tolima
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2006–2007	Deportes Tolima	55	(24)
2007–2008	Krylia Sovetov	11	(1)
2008	→ Deportivo Pereira (loan)	12	(4)
2008	Deportivo Pereira	22	(13)
2009–2014	Santos Laguna	225	(66)
2014–2018	América	107	(17)
2018–2019	Minnesota United	57	(21)
2020–2022	Houston Dynamo	73	(18)
2023	América de Cali	42	(5)
2024–	Deportivo Pereira	36	(13)
National team^‡
2008–2012	Colombia	14	(1)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 December 2024. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 October 2013

Carlos Darwin Quintero Villalba (born 19 September 1987) is a professional football player from Colombia. He is an attacking midfielder for Deportivo Pereira, a club in Colombia's top league. Fans call him El Científico del Gol, which means "The Goal Scientist," because of his clever plays.

Darwin Quintero is known for being very fast, creative, and great at dribbling the ball. Throughout his career, he has played in different attacking roles, like a striker (who scores goals), a winger (who plays on the sides of the field), or a central attacking midfielder (who helps set up goals from the middle).

Football Journey

Starting Out in Colombia

Darwin Quintero began playing football at youth training schools. Even though some big teams didn't pick him, a scout from Deportes Tolima saw his talent. Quintero joined Tolima's youth team in 2004. He even helped them win a gold medal in men's football at the 2004 National Games of Colombia.

Quintero made his first professional appearance for Tolima in 2005 when he was 18. In 2006, he scored his first goal and even a hat-trick (three goals in one game)! He scored 19 goals in his first full season. He also played in his first international club tournaments, the Copa Sudamericana and later the Copa Libertadores.

Short Stop in Russia

In 2007, Quintero moved to Russia to play for FC Krylia Sovetov Samara. It was a tough season for him, and he only scored one goal.

Back to Colombia with Deportivo Pereira

In 2008, Quintero returned to Colombia on loan to Deportivo Pereira. He quickly became a key player, scoring goals and helping the team improve a lot. He was even voted the best player on the team by fans. He scored 13 goals in 22 games that season, showing how good he was.

Success in Mexico with Santos Laguna

In December 2008, Quintero moved to Mexico to play for Santos Laguna. He quickly made an impact.

First Seasons (2008–2010)

He scored his first goal for Santos in February 2009. He also had a dramatic moment in the CONCACAF Champions League (a big tournament for North and Central American clubs). Santos was losing, but Quintero scored two goals in the final minutes to help his team win!

In the 2009–10 season, he continued to play well, scoring goals and helping Santos reach the league final. They lost on penalties, but it was a great effort.

Continued Impact (2010–2012)

Quintero kept scoring and assisting goals for Santos. In 2011, he got a red card and a suspension for an argument during a game. He later changed his jersey number from 28 to 3 because his son was born on March 3rd.

In the 2012 Clausura tournament, Quintero was a star player. He scored important goals, including a late winner in the quarterfinals. He also made two amazing assists in the semifinals to send Santos to the final. They won the league title, their fourth in club history! Santos also reached the CCL final again but lost to Monterrey.

More Goals and Assists (2012–2014)

Quintero continued to be a top scorer for Santos. In the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League, he scored a hat-trick (three goals) in one game and tied for the tournament's top scorer with 6 goals. Santos reached the CCL final for the second year in a row but lost again to Monterrey.

In the 2013–14 season, Quintero was known for his assists, leading the league in setting up goals for his teammates. He scored a hat-trick in one game and helped Santos reach the semifinals of the league playoffs. He also played in the 2014 Copa Libertadores, a major South American club tournament, scoring and assisting goals.

Leaving Santos Laguna (2014)

In 2014, Quintero helped Santos win their first ever Copa MX (a Mexican cup tournament). He asked to leave Santos for new challenges. He left as one of the club's all-time top scorers and assist providers.

Moving to Club América

In December 2014, Quintero joined Club América, one of Mexico's biggest clubs.

First Seasons with América (2014–2016)

He scored in his debut game for América. He also played a big part in América's success in the 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League. In the semifinals, América was losing badly, but Quintero scored and assisted goals to help them make an incredible comeback and win the game! América went on to win the CCL title, their sixth.

In the 2015–16 season, Quintero continued to score and assist. He also played in the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament where champions from different continents compete. América won their second straight CCL title in 2016.

Injuries and Challenges (2016–2018)

In 2016, Quintero faced a health issue called thrombophlebitis in his leg, which kept him out for a few months. He returned to play but later suffered another leg injury. His time at América had its ups and downs, with some fans expecting more because of his high transfer fee.

Playing in the USA with Minnesota United

On March 31, 2018, Quintero joined Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) as their first "Designated Player" (a special player whose salary doesn't count fully against the team's cap). He wanted a new experience for his family.

Star Player in Minnesota (2018–2019)

Quintero scored in his debut for Minnesota. On July 4th, he scored the club's first-ever hat-trick! He had a fantastic first season, leading the team with 11 goals and 15 assists. He was even named an MLS All-Star.

In 2019, he continued to lead the team in scoring with 10 goals. He helped Minnesota United reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history. Quintero also had a great run in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, scoring 6 goals and helping the team reach the final. He won the Golden Boot (top scorer) and was named Player of the Tournament for the Open Cup.

Time with Houston Dynamo

In November 2019, Quintero was traded to the Houston Dynamo.

Impact in Houston (2020–2022)

He quickly became a key player for Houston, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists in his first season, which was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. His 10 assists tied for the most in the league that year. He continued to score important goals, even against his former club, Minnesota United.

In 2021 and 2022, Quintero continued to contribute goals and assists for the Dynamo. He scored 8 goals and had 5 assists in 2022. After the 2022 season, his contract with Houston ended.

Return to Colombia with América de Cali

In December 2022, Quintero returned to Colombia to play for América de Cali. He made his debut in January 2023 and quickly started assisting and scoring goals for his new team.

Playing for Colombia

Darwin Quintero played for the Colombia U-20 national team in 2007. He made his debut for the senior Colombia team in 2008 in a World Cup qualification match. He scored his first goal for Colombia in a friendly game against Mexico in 2009. Even though he hasn't played for the national team since 2012, he still hopes to represent his country again.

About Darwin Quintero

Quintero was born in Tumaco, Colombia, but moved to Cali when he was five years old. He says he always wanted to be a professional footballer, even from a very young age. He is married to Valentina Sierra, and they have two children together.

In 2013, Quintero became a citizen of Mexico. In 2019, he also got a U.S. green card, which means he is considered a local player for MLS teams.

Awards and Achievements

Santos Laguna

Mexican League Title: 2012 Clausura
Mexican Cup (Copa MX): 2014 Apertura

América

CONCACAF Champions League: 2014–15, 2015–16

Individual Awards

Best Player in Colombian League (Torneo Finalización): 2008
Top Scorer in CONCACAF Champions League: 2012–13 (6 goals)
MLS All-Star: 2018
Top Scorer in U.S. Open Cup: 2019 (6 goals)
Player of the Tournament in U.S. Open Cup: 2019
MLS Top Assist Provider: 2020

Images for kids

Quintero during the 2012 Clausura
Quintero playing for Club América in the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League Final
Quintero warming up prior to his Minnesota United debut on 14 April 2018
Quintero playing with Minnesota United against New Mexico United in the 2019 US Open Cup