Felipe Carballo Bio
Felipe Ignacio Carballo Ares (born 4 October 1996) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers, on loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Grêmio. Born in Montevideo, he rose through the youth ranks at Club Nacional de Football before moving abroad and establishing himself as a reliable central presence in midfield.
Standing 1.77 m tall, Carballo is known for his positional discipline, passing range, and ability to break up opposition attacks. He has represented Uruguay at senior international level and has competed in major continental tournaments including the Copa Libertadores.
Early Life and Background
Felipe Ignacio Carballo Ares was born on 4 October 1996 in Montevideo, Uruguay. He grew up in the Uruguayan capital, a city with a deep footballing tradition that has produced generations of professional players. From an early age, he was immersed in the local football culture that surrounds Montevideo’s most established clubs.
Carballo joined the youth academy of Club Nacional de Football, one of Uruguay’s most successful and historic teams. Nacional’s academy is renowned for developing technically sound midfielders, and Carballo progressed steadily through the age-group ranks, refining the defensive instincts and reading of the game that would define his professional career.
Path to Professional Football
Carballo’s first team breakthrough came at Nacional in 2016, when he made his Primera División debut on 28 February 2016, starting in a 0–2 away loss against Plaza Colonia. A few weeks later, on 10 April 2016, he scored his first professional goal, netting his team’s third in a 4–2 away win against Defensor Sporting. After contributing ten appearances in his debut season, he briefly returned to the youth side before being reintegrated into the first team in 2017.
His performances for Nacional attracted attention from European clubs, and on 29 August 2017, Carballo signed a five-year contract with Sevilla FC of La Liga, being assigned to the club’s reserve team in the Segunda División B. The transfer was reported at a fee of around 2.5 million euros, reflecting the high regard in which Nacional held the young midfielder.
Felipe Carballo Career
Sevilla Reserves (2017–2021)
After joining Sevilla in August 2017, Carballo was placed into the reserve squad competing in Spain’s lower professional divisions. The move to Spain represented a significant step in his development, exposing him to European tactical styles and a more physically demanding league environment. During his time in Spain, he continued to build his understanding of the defensive midfield role, training alongside players from across Sevilla’s academy and reserve setup.
To gain regular first-team football, Carballo was loaned back to his formative club Nacional in January 2019 for the remainder of that year, with the loan later extended for a further season. The arrangement allowed him to compete at a high level in South America while still belonging to Sevilla.
Return to Nacional (2019–2022)
Back at Nacional, Carballo quickly became a key figure in midfield. On 23 April 2019, he scored his first goal in the Copa Libertadores, helping Nacional to a 1–0 victory over Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte. On 12 March 2020, he delivered another game-winning goal in a 1–0 win over Estudiantes de Mérida in a Copa Libertadores match played at the Estadio Gran Parque Central.
On 9 January 2021, Carballo signed a permanent three-year deal with Nacional, ending his association with Sevilla. The 2022 season proved the most successful of his career to that point, as he appeared in 35 league matches and scored eight goals, helping Nacional to its 49th league title. In December 2022, he was selected as the Uruguayan Primera División Player of the Year, recognising his commanding influence in central midfield.
Grêmio Era (2023–2024)
On 20 December 2022, Brazilian Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Grêmio announced the signing of Carballo on a contract until 2026. He made his debut for Grêmio on 17 January 2023, entering as a substitute in a 4–1 victory over São Luiz during the 2023 Recopa Gaúcha. On 5 March 2023, he scored his first goal for Grêmio in a 2–1 victory over Internacional in the Grenal derby.
On 27 August 2023, Carballo scored his first goal in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, contributing to Grêmio’s 3–0 victory over Cruzeiro. His form in Brazil’s top flight led to a place in Uruguay’s senior squad and later to a move on loan to Major League Soccer.
MLS Loans (2024–Present)
On 16 August 2024, Carballo was loaned to Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls. He adapted quickly to the league, scoring his first goal for New York on 29 October 2024 in a 1–0 victory over Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup Playoffs. On 23 November 2024, he opened the scoring in a 2–0 victory over New York City FC, helping Red Bulls advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
Red Bulls opted not to renew Carballo’s loan in July 2025, and on 14 August 2025, he continued his MLS loan spell by joining Portland Timbers. The move gave him a fresh environment to compete in Major League Soccer while still contracted to Grêmio.
Playing Style and Strengths
Carballo is a defensively disciplined midfielder who excels at reading the game, intercepting opposition passes, and shielding his back line. He combines strong positional awareness with a measured passing range, allowing him to launch attacks from deep positions. His stamina and tactical intelligence make him well suited to the high-tempo demands of both South American and North American football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Carballo’s career include his first Copa Libertadores goal against Atlético Mineiro in 2019, his Uruguayan Primera División Player of the Year award in 2022, and his decisive goals in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs for the New York Red Bulls. Each achievement has reinforced his reputation as a dependable big-game performer.
Felipe Carballo International Career
On 21 October 2022, Carballo was named in Uruguay’s 55-man preliminary squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He made his senior international debut on 24 March 2023, entering as a substitute for Manuel Ugarte in a 1–1 draw with Japan. The cap marked the culmination of his steady rise from Nacional youth product to full international midfielder.
Felipe Carballo 2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Carballo. After beginning the campaign as a Grêmio player, his loan with the New York Red Bulls was not renewed in July 2025. On 14 August 2025, he joined Portland Timbers on loan, taking up a new role within Major League Soccer midway through the season.
At Portland, Carballo is expected to provide defensive midfield stability and contribute to the club’s push for an MLS Cup Playoffs berth. His prior playoff experience with the New York Red Bulls in 2024, where he scored crucial goals against Columbus Crew and New York City FC, offers a strong foundation for success in the league’s competitive Western Conference.