Sebastián Soria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sebastián Soria

Soria at the Qatar Stars League launch ceremony in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Andrés Sebastián Soria Quintana
Date of birth	(1983-11-08) 8 November 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth	Paysandú, Uruguay
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Qatar SC
Number	23
Youth career
0000–2002	Centenario
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002	Centenario	9	(9)
2002–2004	Liverpool Montevideo	50	(11)
2004–2005	Al-Gharafa	26	(14)
2005–2012	Qatar SC	152	(104)
2012–2015	Lekhwiya	64	(42)
2015–2020	Al-Rayyan	104	(35)
2020–2021	Al-Arabi	19	(2)
2021–	Qatar SC	65	(14)
International career‡
2006	Qatar U23	7	(6)
2007–2017	Qatar	123	(39)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 January 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2017

Andrés Sebastián Soria Quintana (born November 8, 1983), known as Sebastián Soria, is a professional football player. He plays as a striker for Qatar SC. Even though he was born in Uruguay, he has played for the Qatar national team since 2007.

In 2008, he was considered for the Asian Footballer of the Year award. He also holds a special record: he scored the fastest goal in AFC Champions League history. This amazing goal happened in 2013 when he was playing for Lekhwiya SC, scoring just 9 seconds into the game!

Playing for Clubs

Starting His Career

When Soria was young, he tried out for a football club in Uruguay called Defensor Sporting. It didn't work out for him there.

But Soria kept playing in smaller leagues. In 2001, a cyclist who had seen him play was very impressed. This cyclist knew a football agent and told him about Soria. Soria was then sent to Montevideo to play for Liverpool Montevideo.

He started on the reserve team but soon joined the main team. He proved how good he was and played for the first team for the rest of the 2003 season.

In 2004, Soria got an offer to play for Al-Gharafa in Qatar. He moved to Qatar that year and became a Qatari citizen in 2006.

Playing for Al Gharafa

Soria joined Al Gharafa in 2004. This was his first time playing football outside of Uruguay. He helped Al Gharafa win the Qatar Stars League in the 2004–05 season.

Playing for Qatar SC

In 2005, Soria moved from Al Gharafa to Qatar SC. He won the Qatar Crown Prince Cup with Qatar SC in 2009.

Some big European clubs, like Udinese from Italy and Getafe and Atletico Madrid from Spain, were interested in him. But Soria decided to stay and signed a new contract with Qatar SC in 2010.

In 2009, when AC Milan visited Qatar, Soria played as a guest for Al Sadd in a special match. He enjoyed playing against strong defenders. After the game, many fans wanted his autograph, and he patiently signed for about 15 minutes.

Playing for Lekhwiya

After joining Lekhwiya, Soria got to play in the 2013 AFC Champions League. He scored 4 goals in their first four group games. One of these goals was the fastest ever in Asia's top club competition! He scored it in just 9 seconds against Pakhtakor on April 9, 2013.

Playing for Al Rayyan

In 2015, Soria joined Al-Rayyan SC on a one-year contract.

Soria in 2012

Playing for His Country

Sebastián Soria is one of Qatar's top goal scorers and most capped players.

Soria was born in Uruguay but moved to Qatar early in his football career. He became a Qatari citizen. In 2006, he won a gold medal with the Qatar U-23 team at the 2006 Asian Games.

Soria often scored important goals for the Qatari national team. In the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, he scored goals that helped Qatar tie games against Japan and Vietnam. He also scored the winning goal against the United Arab Emirates. He was the only Qatari player to score in the 2007 Asian Cup, scoring three goals in total.

In the 2011 Asian Cup quarterfinals, Soria scored a goal against Japan. However, Japan ended up winning the game 3–2. He was not chosen for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup team.

Career Numbers

International Games

Soria has played many games for the Qatar national team. Here's a quick look at his international career:

Awards and Achievements

Club Awards

Al Gharafa

• Qatar Stars League: 2004–05
• Sheikh Jassem Cup: 2005

Qatar SC

• Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 2009

Lekhwiya

• Qatar Stars League: 2013–14, 2014–15
• Qatar Cup: 2013, 2015

Al Rayyan

• Qatar Stars League: 2015–16

Individual Awards

• QFA Player of the Season: 2005–06
• Nominated for Asian Footballer of the Year: 2008
• Top Scorer in Qatar Stars League: 2012–13

See also

In Spanish: Sebastián Soria para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps