From Rio Grande do Sul to the Saudi Pro League: the rise of Roger Ibañez
In short: Born in Canela to a Uruguayan mother, Roger Ibañez has rapidly ascended the tiers of global football. From his professional debut in Brazil to competing in the UEFA Champions League and representing the Brazilian national team, his journey reflects the high-stakes mobility of modern elite athletics.
Roger Ibañez da Silva began his professional journey in 2016 at the age of 18, playing for Grêmio Atlético Osoriense. While he initially operated as a midfielder, he has since established himself as a specialist centre-back, though he retains the versatility to play as a defensive midfielder. His early career was marked by rapid movement, including a brief loan spell at Sergipe in late 2016 before joining Fluminense in mid-2017.
His ascent through the Italian Serie A was pivotal. After joining Atalanta in January 2019, he played a role in the club's historic first qualification for the UEFA Champions League. This success paved the way for a move to Roma in January 2020, where he initially joined on loan before signing a long-term contract through June 2025. His defensive reliability has also earned him international recognition; he made his debut for the Brazil national team on 27 September 2022, during a 5–1 victory against Tunisia.
In August 2023, Ibañez moved to the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in a permanent transfer reported to be worth €30 million, including bonuses. His impact was immediate, scoring his first goal for the club on 18 August 2023 in a 3–1 win over Khaleej Club. As a versatile defender, his career trajectory illustrates the intense competition and significant financial scale of contemporary professional football.
Ibañez is married to Bruna Kisner, and the couple has two children, Antonella and Ravi.
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