Ezequiel Ponce Bio
Ezequiel Ponce Martínez (born 29 March 1997) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo. Ponce began his professional career at Newell’s Old Boys, where he made his senior debut in 2013, before completing a high-profile move to Italian side Roma in 2015. Across the following decade, he developed through loan spells and permanent transfers at clubs in Spain, France, Greece, and Russia, building a reputation as a hardworking, athletic striker. He holds Spanish citizenship in addition to his Argentine nationality.
Early Life and Background
Ezequiel Ponce Martínez was born on 29 March 1997 in Rosario, Argentina, a city long associated with producing elite footballers. He grew up immersed in the local football culture of Rosario, where youth academies play a central role in the sporting life of the community. From an early age, Ponce gravitated toward organized football, and his talent was quickly noticed by neighborhood coaches and academy scouts.
At the age of eight, Ponce was signed by his hometown club, Newell’s Old Boys, joining a youth setup renowned for developing Argentine talent. He progressed steadily through the age-group teams, refining the technical and physical attributes that would later define his game as a senior professional. The familiar surroundings of Rosario allowed him to mature within a structured pathway, surrounded by family and a deep-rooted football tradition.
Path to Professional Football
Ponce’s rise through the Newell’s Old Boys academy was methodical and consistent, with each youth season bringing new responsibilities and stronger performances. By his mid-teens, he was knocking on the door of the senior squad, and the coaching staff began integrating him into first-team training sessions. His combination of pace, aerial ability, and movement off the ball marked him as a forward with significant upside.
That promise was rewarded on 5 October 2013, when Ponce made his senior league debut against Quilmes in a 0–2 away win. On 16 March 2014, he scored his first league goal for the club against Racing Club in a 2–0 home win, confirming his status as one of the most promising young strikers in Argentine football. His domestic displays quickly attracted attention from European clubs, setting the stage for a major career move.
Ezequiel Ponce Career
Early Career at Newell’s Old Boys (2013–2015)
Ponce’s first two senior seasons at Newell’s Old Boys provided a foundation for everything that followed. After breaking into the squad in October 2013, he earned regular minutes and demonstrated composure beyond his age, scoring key goals against established Argentine opponents. His performances in the Primera División showcased a forward comfortable operating as a central striker or wide attacker.
By the summer of 2015, his development had drawn concrete interest from European clubs. In August 2015, Italian giants Roma announced the signing of Ponce from Newell’s Old Boys for a fee of €4.2 million, marking one of the most significant transfers of his young career. He immediately impressed at Roma’s academy level, scoring three goals in the UEFA Youth League group stages before a torn knee ligament in December halted his momentum and kept him sidelined for four months. He returned strongly with the reserve squad, helping Roma win the Campionato Nazionale Primavera while scoring nine goals in ten matches.
Loan Spells: Granada, Lille, and AEK Athens (2016–2019)
On 5 August 2016, Ponce was loaned to La Liga club Granada CF for one year. Fifteen days after arriving, he scored on his club debut in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF, signaling a fast start in Spanish football. The spell at Granada gave Ponce valuable experience in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues, exposing him to high-level defensive organization and tactical variety.
On 10 July 2017, after being identified by then-manager Marcelo Bielsa, Ponce was loaned to Ligue 1 club Lille. He made his debut in a 3–0 win against Nantes on 6 August 2017 and scored his first Lille goal on 17 November in a 3–1 win against AS Saint-Étienne. The French campaign broadened his tactical understanding and added a new dimension to his development.
On 19 July 2018, Ponce was loaned to Greek Super League club AEK Athens for one year, with a €6 million buy-out clause and Roma entitled to 30 percent of any resale. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal of the 2018–19 season on 25 August in a 2–0 home win against PAS Giannina. Across that campaign, he emerged as AEK’s most reliable attacking outlet, finishing as the club’s top scorer for the season. On 3 April 2019, with 18 goals, he became AEK’s highest goalscorer in a single season since Ismael Blanco’s 24-goal haul in 2008–09, underlining the scale of his contribution.
Spartak Moscow and Elche (2019–2023)
On 21 June 2019, Ponce signed a long-term contract with Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow, beginning a new chapter in Eastern Europe. He featured regularly for Spartak, though his time in Russia included a notable disciplinary moment when he was sent off in the derby against Dynamo Moscow for striking goalkeeper Anton Shunin with a straight leg during a cross. Despite the setback, he continued to contribute goals and experience in a physically demanding league.
On 31 January 2022, Ponce returned to Spain after agreeing to a loan deal with Elche CF in the top tier. His performances were sufficient for Elche to exercise the purchase option on 1 June 2022, signing him to a four-year contract and committing to his long-term development in La Liga.
Return to AEK Athens and Move to Houston Dynamo (2023–Present)
On 5 August 2023, Ponce returned to AEK Athens on a permanent move, signing a four-year contract for a reported fee of €3,500,000. The return was viewed as a reunion with a club where he had previously thrived, and it gave him an opportunity to re-establish himself as a central figure in the Greek Super League.
On 17 June 2024, Ponce joined Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, becoming the most expensive signing in club history. The transfer marked his move to North American soccer and signaled a new phase in his career, bringing his blend of European experience and South American flair to MLS.
Ezequiel Ponce Family
Personal Life
Ponce was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, and grew up surrounded by the deep football heritage of his hometown. He holds Spanish citizenship alongside his Argentine nationality, a status shaped by his years playing in Spain with Granada and Elche. Public information regarding his broader family background remains limited.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Major League Soccer campaign represents Ezequiel Ponce’s first full season with Houston Dynamo following his record-breaking arrival in June 2024. The Argentine forward is expected to serve as a central attacking option for the club, combining target-man duties with wide-channel movement drawn from his European experience. His adaptation to MLS travel demands, artificial surfaces, and varied tactical styles will be a key storyline throughout the year.
Houston Dynamo’s investment in Ponce signals an ambition to climb the Western Conference standings and compete for playoff positioning. His ability to contribute goals, link play, and mentor younger teammates will be closely tracked by supporters and analysts alike. As the season progresses, his scoring record and partnership with fellow attackers are likely to shape the trajectory of Houston’s campaign.