Esteban Andrada is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He gained public attention for a violent outburst in April 2026 when he punched an opponent after being sent off during the Aragonese derby between Real Zaragoza and SD Huesca.
Quick Facts:
Full Name: Esteban Andrada
Age: 35 (born January 26, 1991)
Nationality: Argentine
Occupation: Professional Footballer (Goalkeeper)
Known For: Playing for Real Zaragoza, four caps for the Argentina national team, and a violent punch in the 2026 Aragonese derby
Marital Status: Not publicly disclosed
Children: Not publicly disclosed
Early Life and Background
Esteban Andrada was born on January 26, 1991, in Argentina. Details of his early life and youth football development are not widely publicized, but he progressed through the Argentine football system before embarking on a professional career that has included stints in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain.
Career and Achievements
Andrada began his senior career in Argentina, notably playing for Lanús, where he helped the club win the 2016 Argentine Primera División championship. His performances earned him a spot on the Argentina national team, earning four caps in 2019, all in friendly matches.
After moving abroad, he joined Mexican club Monterrey. For the 2025-2026 season, Andrada was loaned to Real Zaragoza in Spain’s Segunda División, where he served as the first-choice goalkeeper, making 28 appearances across all competitions.
Major Event or Controversy
Andrada’s most notorious moment came on April 26, 2026, during the Aragonese derby against SD Huesca—a high-stakes match between two teams fighting relegation. In second-half stoppage time with Huesca leading 1-0, Andrada confronted Huesca captain Jorge Pulido. He first pushed Pulido to the ground, receiving a second yellow card.
Immediately after being sent off, Andrada ran toward Pulido and punched him square in the face, sparking a mass brawl involving players from both sides. The chaos led to two additional red cards: Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez (who retaliated with a flying punch at Andrada) and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende. The match finished with outfield players forced to play in goal.
Why He Is in the News
Andrada is trending after this “brutal” and “historic” brawl in the Aragonese derby, which has been widely condemned by both clubs and the Spanish football community. Real Zaragoza issued a statement describing the scenes as “unbecoming of this sport” and announced they would take “appropriate disciplinary measures”. Andrada faces a potential suspension of up to 12 matches for the assault. He has since issued a public apology, saying: “I really regret what happened. I crossed the line”.
Conclusion
Esteban Andrada is an experienced Argentine goalkeeper whose career has been overshadowed by a single moment of madness in a tense derby match. As he awaits severe disciplinary action, his case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of losing control in professional sport.
