Juan Fernando Quintero

Envigado

Born in Medellín, Colombia, he joined the youth squad for Envigado after an impressive performance during a youth tournament that took place in Medellin.

Atlético Nacional

Quintero joined the ranks of Atlético Nacional during 2011.

Loan to Pescara

He then joined the ranks of Serie A Pescara months after joining Nacional, wasting no time in impressing European scouts.

It was reported in early 2013 that Inter Milan and Udinese have confirmed their bidding interest. Although Udinese is the only club to have made an official bid.

In early April 2013, it was reported that Quintero suffered an injury and would be out for a month.

In mid May 2013, Quintero posted on Twitter 'good bye and thank you' to Pescara, hinting that he was to leave in the Italian side in the summer. While Pescara claimed that he has not been 'sold', it hinted Quintero's desire to leave the club overall.

Porto

Quintero joined Porto from Pescara for €5 million, with the Italian club retaining 50% of the economic rights. Quintero signed a 4-year contract with a release clause of €40 million.

Quintero made his first full debut appearance in the 2013 Emirates Cup against Napoli. He assisted Porto's first goal.

2013-14 season

Quintero's first 'official' match with Porto began with the 2013 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, where he came on as a sub after 76 minutes when Porto were already ahead by 3-0. Porto went on to win the match, thus giving Quintero's very first silverware not only in Europe, but in his club career.

Quintero debut in his first league match for the club against Vitoria Setubal, coming on as a sub and scoring less than a minute later. Quintero provided his first assist for the club two weeks later against P. Ferreira in a 1-0 victory. In a match against Vitória de Guimarães, Quintero drew a penalty that was successfully converted, thus granting him an assist in a 1-0 home victory. Quintero came in on the 90th minute against F.C. Arouca where he was then fouled near the box. He then converted an impressive free kick goal, seconds after only coming in.

In late October, Quintero suffered a hamstring injury, expecting to be out for a month.

Following his return in December, Quintero requested to play with the B-squad in order to keep his fitness up if he's not to get guarantee minutes with the A-squad.

After a long period of matches spent solely on the bench, or coming on as a late substitute during Paulo Fonseca's time as manager, averaging around 20 minutes per game in the league, Quintero found his way back into the team under new manager Luis Castro. Quintero's next significant performance was against Napoli in the Europa League, where he came close to scoring his first goal in European competition, when a Napoli defender's clearance rebounded off his leg and hit the post.

Quintero scored his third goal of the season against Belenenses, coming on as a half time substitute and setting up many opportunities for teammate and fellow countryman Jackson Martinez, but eventually it would be Quintero who decided the game with the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Team mate Líca provided a low cross which was parried out by Belenenses goalkeeper Matt Jones, and Quintero came in for the rebound, driving a low shot underneath Matt Jones and in the back of the net.

Quintero made his first 90-minute appearance for Porto on April 6, 2014, in a home match against Académica. He provided somewhat of an assist, again for teammate and countryman Jackson Martinez, when he was fouled in the box in the 38th minute, which resulted in a converted Jackson Martinez penalty. Quintero then scored his fourth goal of the season a week later, in the 91st minute in a 3-1 victory over SC Braga, after a counterattack which he started.

On April 21, Quintero came on as a second-half substitute against fellow northerners Rio Ave and made a significant impact to the match. He was involved in all three of the goals, but only got one direct assist. A chipped through ball to Jackson Martinez resulted in him being brought down for a penalty, which Martinez scored. Next, another chipped through ball to Hector Herrera resulted in a headed goal. The 3rd goal of the game came from FC Porto right back Danilo, who scored a deflected free kick after Quintero had been fouled just outside the box.

2014-15 season

Quintero missed Porto's first league game of the season due to a death in the family, but returned to the Porto squad for the next league match versus Pacos de Ferreira. Coming on for the injured Cristian Tello, he provided the assist, yet again for fellow Colombian Jackson Martinez, for the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Porto.

Quintero scored his first goal of the season against F.C. Arouca from long distance, Porto ended up winning 0-5.

On 16 December 2014, Porto purchased the remaining 50% economic rights of Quintero from Pescara for €4.5 million, giving them complete ownership of him.

2015-16

Quintero signed a one-season length loan with Ligue 1 side Rennes. Quintero made his debut against OGC Nice, coming on as a sub and providing an assist in a 1-4 loss. Quintero would eventually score his first goal for the club in the match against SM Caen, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Quintero stated in an interview that he intended to return to Porto after his loan ended despite rumors linking him to a stay.

2017

On September 13, 2016 it was reported that Quintero would return to the top flight Colombian league on loan to Independiente Medellín from Porto on a contract through December 2017.

2013 South American Youth Championship

Quintero was called to represent Colombia wearing the number 10 jersey at the 2013 South American Youth Championship. In the first match against Paraguay, he was voted man of the match after an impressive display setting up the 1–0 victory goal. In the match against a powerful Chile team, Quintero scored a penalty although Colombia lost 2-1. In the match against Bolivia, Quintero assisted four of the six goals in a 6–0 victory. In the final group stage match against Argentina, Colombia had already qualified thus he did not play until the second half where he scored with an amazing 50 yard free kick despite losing the match 2–3.

In the first match of the final round, Quintero scored again from an impressive distance in a 2–1 victory over Ecuador. This brought his goal tally to three and his assist tally to four. Quintero scored with a penalty against Peru in a 1–0 allowing Colombia to qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. In the final match against Paraguay who were also Colombia's very first opponent in the U20 South American Youth Championships, he scored a goal in a 2-1 victory where Colombia won the Youth Championships in South America for the 3rd time. In total, Quintero had scored 5 goals and assisted 4 making him MVP of the championship for contributing more than any other player in the tournament.

Quintero was set to join the U20 squad again for the 2013 Toulon Tournament, but Pescara refused to allow him to his call-up. Prior to the U-20 World Cup, Quintero scored with an impressive free kick in a friendly against the U-20 squad of France.

2013 U-20 FIFA World Cup

Quintero played an entertaining opening match performance of the U-20 FIFA World Cup that was held in Turkey. He made impressive shots with his free kicks as well as creating impressive chances. He set up Colombia's goal in the 78th minute where the game ended 1–1. In the match against host nation Turkey, Quintero scored a wonderful goal from outside the box (20 yards), winning the game 1–0 and allowing Colombia to top the group. In the last group match against El Savador, Quintero assisted the first goal and sealed the victory with an amazing 25 yard goal, allowing Colombia to win 3–0 and win the group. Quintero then played in the next match against South Korea, and managed to save Colombia into extra time with an impressive free kick in the last few seconds of full-time. However, Colombia went on to lose on penalties eventually where he scored one in a 7–8 loss. Despite Colombia failing to progress, Quintero was praised as the best player in the group stages.

His goal against El Salvador was later voted as best goal of the tournament.

Olympics Squad

Quintero expressed great interest in representing Colombia in 2016 for the Olympics in Brazil.

In February 2016, Quintero was called up to play back to back friendlies against Honduras. He made his debut in the first match resulting in a 1-1 draw. Days later in the second match, he scored with a free kick in a 2-2 draw.

Senior

In 2012, Quintero was called for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador, without making an appearance. He made his international debut in a friendly match against Cameroon later in the same year.

2014 World Cup and Friendlies

On 2 June 2014, Quintero was named in Colombia's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and assigned the number 20 shirt. He made his World Cup debut against Ivory Coast in the group stage, coming on for Victor Ibarbo in the 53rd minute, and scored his first international goal to decide the 2–1 win for Los Cafeteros.

In a friendly against Bahrain, Quintero assisted Radamel Falcao's first goal in a 0-6 crushing.

Style of play

Quintero is well known for his creativity for playmaking and as a supportive player in general. His ball control and dribbling has stood him out from most players his age as well as his free kicks, which he has shown to be profound in. Left footed, Quintero is sometimes considered to be another 'James Rodríguez' due to their similar traits (as well as being only 2 years younger, while also playing for the youth national squads of Colombia after Rodriguez's time), although Rodriguez plays more of a forward midfielder/winger whereas Quintero plays more in a neutral mid-center position. This means that he fully commits to a playmaker role, although he does contain remarkable dribbling ability and carries high accuracy with shots on goal

Due to his size, Quintero naturally has a lower center of gravity allowing him to have higher balance, agility, and speed similar to that of Lionel Messi. Despite many other young talents drawing comparisons to Messi as well, Quintero is highlighted to be a very 'close replica' to the point where he also been referenced to a 'Diego Maradona' as well. Although all these are natural comparisons due to the fact that he can also effectively run with the ball in limited spaces, and maintain a very sharp technical mindset to that of the Argentinean legends themselves. However, despite the comparisons, Quintero does not carry the strength of Maradona nor is he balanced with his weak foot like Messi.

Although, Quintero states that his main inspiration was from watching Brazilian legend Rivaldo as a child.

Club

International goals

Scores and results lists Colombia's goal tally first.

Club

International

Individual