Nahuel Molina in 2026: Net Worth and Salary, Height, Age, Current Team, Transfer Value, and FAQs

Who Is Nahuel Molina?

Nahuel Molina Lucero is one of the most dependable right-backs in world football right now. Born on April 6, 1998, in Embalse, Cordoba, Argentina, he grew up to become a key part of both Atletico Madrid in Spain and the Argentine national team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He is not the kind of player who dominates headlines every week, but if you watch closely, you will notice him in almost every important moment, driving forward, winning his duel, making the right pass, or tracking back to win the ball. At 28 years old in 2026, Molina is right in the middle of what should be the best years of his career.

Career Path: From Boca Juniors to La Liga

Molina came through the youth setup at Boca Juniors, one of Argentina's biggest clubs. He turned professional with the club in 2016 but did not stay long in their first team. Instead, he spent time on loan, first at Defensa y Justicia in 2018, where he got meaningful playing time, then at Rosario Central in 2019.

In September 2020, he made the move to Europe, joining Udinese in Serie A, Italy. His two seasons there were the turning point. Playing regularly in the Italian top flight, Molina showed exactly what he could do: constant overlapping runs, solid defending, and a surprising eye for goal. By the end of the 2021-22 season, he had scored seven goals as a right-back, which is genuinely impressive for that position.

That form convinced Atletico Madrid to spend 20 million euros to bring him to Spain in July 2022. Under Diego Simeone, a manager well known for demanding the very best from his defenders, Molina has held his ground and remained a regular starter.

Current Team: Atletico Madrid

As of 2026, Nahuel Molina plays for Atletico Madrid in La Liga, wearing the number 16 shirt. His contract runs until June 30, 2027, which means the club and player are heading into an important period where the future needs to be settled.

In the 2025-26 La Liga season, Molina has been used regularly by Simeone, contributing 2 goals and 2 assists across 22 appearances. His average match rating sits at around 6.98, which reflects solid and consistent performances rather than flashy moments.

There has been considerable speculation about his future. Reports in 2025 linked him to clubs including Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus, and Inter Milan. Bournemouth reportedly had a 20 million euro bid accepted by Atletico in August 2025, but Molina turned it down. As of June 2026, he remains at the club, though his future beyond next summer is still unclear.

Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Nahuel Molina earns an estimated 3.75 million euros per year at Atletico Madrid, which works out to roughly 72,000 euros per week. In US dollar terms, that is approximately 4 million dollars annually.

Icon Polls estimates that Nahuel Molina's total net worth in 2026 falls between 8 million and 12 million US dollars. This figure takes into account his club salary, earnings from his time at Udinese, international bonuses from Argentina, potential commercial deals, and personal investments. While he is not among the highest earners in La Liga, his steady salary over several years and his profile as a World Cup winner have helped him build a healthy financial position.

For context, his salary is modest compared to players like Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid, but among Argentine defenders in European football, he is doing very well.

Height, Weight, and Physical Profile

Nahuel Molina stands at 1.75 metres tall, which is roughly 5 feet 9 inches. He weighs around 69 to 70 kilograms. He is right-footed and plays as a right-back, though he can also operate as a wing-back in a more attacking system.

His physical profile is well suited to his role. He is not the tallest full-back, but he makes up for it with his pace, stamina, and positional intelligence. He can get up and down the right flank for 90 minutes without fading, which is exactly what Atletico Madrid need from their wide defenders.

Transfer Value in 2026

Multiple valuation sources put Nahuel Molina's current market value at between 14 and 17 million euros as of June 2026. This is considerably lower than the peak valuation of close to 50 million euros he reached after the 2022 World Cup, but the context matters.

His contract expires in 2027, so clubs know they are negotiating from a position of some strength. Atletico Madrid, however, have a release clause in his contract reportedly set at 70 million euros, which effectively protects the club from losing him cheaply.

If his form holds and he plays a strong role for Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, his value could rise again before the summer transfer window closes.

Honours and Career Achievements

Nahuel Molina has won six major titles across club and international football:

FIFA World Cup 2022 (Argentina)

Copa America 2021 (Argentina)

Copa America 2024 (Argentina)

CONMEBOL-UEFA Finalissima 2022 (Argentina)

Liga Profesional 2019-20 (Boca Juniors)

Liga Profesional 2016-17 (Boca Juniors)

The 2022 World Cup goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-final remains perhaps the defining moment of his career so far. Receiving a perfectly timed pass from Lionel Messi and finishing calmly, it was the kind of moment that cements a player's legacy.

Playing Style

Molina is what modern football calls a complete full-back. He is not just a defender who occasionally gets forward; he actively contributes to the attack as a first choice. His overlapping runs create width, his crossing is reliable, and he has shown he can score in big moments.

Defensively, he is disciplined and reads the game well. He is quick enough to recover when caught out of position, which is important because his attacking instincts sometimes leave space in behind. Under Simeone, who demands high defensive output from everyone, this discipline has been reinforced year by year.

20 Frequently Asked Questions About Nahuel Molina

1. How old is Nahuel Molina in 2026?

Nahuel Molina turned 28 on April 6, 2026. He was born on April 6, 1998, in Embalse, Cordoba, Argentina.

2. How tall is Nahuel Molina?

Nahuel Molina is 1.75 metres tall, which is approximately 5 feet 9 inches. He weighs around 69 to 70 kilograms.

3. What team does Nahuel Molina play for in 2026?

He currently plays for Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Spain. He has been at the club since July 2022 and wears the number 16 shirt.

4. What is Nahuel Molina's net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates Nahuel Molina's net worth to be between $8 million and $12 million USD in 2026, based on his salary history, international earnings, and other income sources.

5. What is Nahuel Molina's salary at Atletico Madrid?

Molina earns an estimated 3.75 million euros per year at Atletico Madrid, which works out to roughly 72,000 euros per week or approximately $4 million USD annually.

6. What is Nahuel Molina's transfer value in 2026?

His current market value is estimated at between 14 and 17 million euros. He has a reported release clause of 70 million euros in his Atletico Madrid contract.

7. When does Nahuel Molina's contract expire?

His contract with Atletico Madrid expires on June 30, 2027. With one year remaining after the 2025-26 season, his future will be a major topic heading into the summer of 2026.

8. Did Nahuel Molina win the World Cup?

Yes. Molina was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was a key starter throughout the tournament and scored the opening goal in the quarter-final against the Netherlands.

9. What position does Nahuel Molina play?

He plays as a right-back. He can also function as a right wing-back in a more attack-oriented formation. He is right-footed.

10. Where is Nahuel Molina from?

He was born in Embalse, a small city in the Cordoba province of Argentina.

11. Which clubs has Nahuel Molina played for?

His career clubs include Boca Juniors (2016-2020), Defensa y Justicia on loan (2018), Rosario Central on loan (2019), Udinese in Italy (2020-2022), and Atletico Madrid from 2022 to the present.

12. How much did Atletico Madrid pay for Nahuel Molina?

Atletico Madrid paid Udinese 20 million euros to sign Nahuel Molina in July 2022.

13. Is Nahuel Molina in the Argentina 2026 World Cup squad?

Molina has been a consistent part of Argentina's national team setup and is expected to be involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

14. How many goals has Nahuel Molina scored for Atletico Madrid?

Across all seasons at Atletico Madrid, Molina has contributed a mix of goals and assists. In the 2025-26 La Liga season alone, he had registered 2 goals and 2 assists from 22 appearances.

15. What trophies has Nahuel Molina won?

He has won the FIFA World Cup 2022, Copa America 2021 and 2024, the CONMEBOL-UEFA Finalissima 2022 with Argentina, and two Liga Profesional titles with Boca Juniors (2016-17 and 2019-20).

16. Which clubs have been linked with Nahuel Molina?

Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Bournemouth have all been linked with Molina at various points. Bournemouth reportedly had a bid accepted in 2025, but Molina chose to stay at Atletico Madrid.

17. What was Nahuel Molina's peak transfer value?

After the 2022 World Cup, his market value peaked at close to 50 million euros. Since then it has come down due to a combination of age, contract situation, and reduced league form.

18. What is Nahuel Molina's full name?

His full name is Nahuel Molina Lucero.

19. Is Nahuel Molina one of the best right-backs in the world?

He is widely considered one of the top right-backs in La Liga and one of the best in the Argentine national team setup. While he may not be in the global top three at this position, he is consistently effective at elite level.

20. What shirt number does Nahuel Molina wear?

He wears the number 16 shirt at Atletico Madrid.