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futbolista

foot-boh-LEE-stah/futβoˈlista/

“futbolista” means “soccer player” in Spanish (common in North America).

soccer player, footballer

Also: athlete
Nounm or fA1
General
A soccer player in a colorful uniform kicking a soccer ball on a green field.

📝 In Action

Lionel Messi es un futbolista muy famoso.

A1

Lionel Messi is a very famous soccer player.

La futbolista marcó tres goles en el partido.

A2

The soccer player scored three goals in the match.

Muchos niños sueñan con ser futbolistas profesionales algún día.

B1

Many children dream of being professional footballers one day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • jugador de fútbol (soccer player)
  • balompedista (footballer (very formal/dated))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • futbolista profesional – professional soccer player
  • ser futbolista – to be a soccer player
  • futbolista estrella – star player

Idioms & Expressions

  • Sudar la camiseta – To work extremely hard or give your all for a team/project.
  • Colgar las botas – To retire from a sport or a career.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "futbolista" in Spanish:

athlete→footballer→soccer player→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: futbolista

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'The female soccer player' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
fútbol(soccer/football) — Noun
futbolístico(soccer-related) — Adjective
futbolín(foosball / table soccer) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Created by combining the Spanish word 'fútbol' (which comes from the English word 'football') with the suffix '-ista,' used to describe a person who practices a specific activity or profession.

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: futebolistaItalian: futbolista (rare, usually calciatore)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'futbolista' and 'jugador de fútbol'?

Do they use this word in Mexico as well as Spain?

Yes! While slang for the sport might change slightly, 'futbolista' is the standard term everywhere from Madrid to Mexico City.

Can 'futbolista' be used as an adjective?

Occasionally you might hear it used to describe a place that loves soccer (e.g., 'una ciudad futbolista'), but the proper adjective is usually 'futbolístico'.