What Happened to Esteban Maximiliano Andrada?

Esteban Maximiliano Andrada, born on January 26, 1991, established himself as a formidable goalkeeper in South American football before his recent move to Europe. His early career saw him rise through the ranks at Club Atlético Lanús, where he won the Copa Sudamericana in 2013, the Argentine Primera División in 2016, and other domestic titles. His performances earned him a transfer to Boca Juniors in 2018, where he became a fan favorite and set an Argentine Primera División record in 2019 for the longest streak without conceding a goal, reaching 864 consecutive league minutes and 1,129 minutes across all competitions. During his tenure with Boca, he secured the Argentinian championship in 2020 and the Copa de la Liga Profesional in 2019/20.

In July 2021, Andrada made a significant move to Liga MX club CF Monterrey for €5 million. He quickly became an integral part of the team, playing 161 official matches and helping them win the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, a pivotal achievement in his career. He was known for his shot-stopping ability and commanding presence, maintaining high save percentages during his time in Mexico.

The turning point in his Monterrey career came in 2025. After a series of performances that drew criticism and an elbow injury requiring surgery in July 2025, Andrada was not registered by Monterrey for the Apertura 2025 tournament. This decision, coupled with the arrival of new goalkeeper Santiago Mele, signaled the end of his starting role at the club. There were rumors of a transfer to Saudi Arabia or a return to Argentina, but ultimately, he sought a new challenge in Europe.

On September 1, 2025, Andrada joined Real Zaragoza in Spain's Segunda División on a temporary loan with an option for a permanent move if the club achieved promotion. He publicly expressed dissatisfaction with how Monterrey handled his departure. Despite the initial challenges, Andrada has since regained his form in Spain, becoming a regular starter for Real Zaragoza in the 2025/2026 LaLiga2 season. He has recorded 2,340 minutes of play and an average FotMob rating of 7.13, establishing himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the league for saves and clean sheets.

As of April 2026, his loan at Real Zaragoza is set to expire on June 30, 2026, and he is contracted with Monterrey until June 30, 2027. Interestingly, Monterrey, facing its own goalkeeping crisis and a disappointing Clausura 2026 season, has reportedly been considering bringing Andrada back to the club due to his strong performances in Spain. However, his immediate future was dramatically impacted on April 26, 2026, when he was sent off during a match against Huesca for pushing an opponent, Jorge Pulido, and then proceeded to punch Pulido in the face after receiving the red card. This incident is likely to lead to significant disciplinary action and could affect his potential return to Monterrey or any future transfers.