Ignacio Ovando

Ignacio Ovando
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-06-29) 29 June 2007 (age 19)
Place of birth Gualeguaychú, Argentina
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Rosario Central
Number 46
Youth career
Central Córdoba
2018–2025 Rosario Central
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2025– Rosario Central 28 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17 September 2026

Ignacio Ovando (born 29 June 2007) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a defender for Rosario Central.

Club career

Born in Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, Ovando is a youth product of Central Córdoba and Rosario Central.

In April 2025, he signed his first professional contract with Rosario Central.

Ovando made his professional debut with Central in a 2–1 Argentine Primera División win over River Plate on 5 October 2025. By the end of the season, he had become a starter with the team from Rosario that eventually won the 2025 league.

By early 2026, Ovando was an immovable starter and key player with Ángel Di María's team

International career

In the summer of 2026, Ovando was called-up by Lionel Scaloni to train with the Argentine senior squad in the United States, to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Style of play

Formerly raised as a striker, Ovando was moved down the field when he arrived at Rosario Central, becoming a centre-back. As a defender, he is said to stand out for his excellent footwork and aerial play.

Honours

Rosario Central

References

  1. 1 2 Castro, Luis. "Quién es el defensor que debutó en Central y fue recibido con una fiesta en el barrio". La Capital. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Mendoza, Rodrigo (7 October 2025). "El juvenil que tuvo un inolvidable debut en el triunfo de Rosario Central ante River". TyC Sports (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  3. 1 2 Blanco, Pilar (7 October 2025). "Debutó con lágrimas en Central y su primer toque fue un pase a Di María: "Ni en mis mejores sueños"". Olé (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Ariel Holan recordó su paso por Central y habló de la polémica por el título de Campeón de Liga". Rosario Nuestro (in Spanish). 9 September 2026. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  5. ↑ "Rosario Central, el sorprendente campeón de la Liga Profesional". Página|12 (in Spanish). 20 November 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  6. ↑ "La Fédération argentine a-t-elle offert un trophée à Ángel Di María ?". So Foot (in French). 22 November 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Ferretti, Guillermo (15 September 2026). "Central: Ignacio Ovando, el pibe que juega como un veterano y sueña en grande". La Capital. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  8. 1 2 Teixeira, Nahuel (17 September 2026). "River lo sigue de cerca y Ovando volvió a ser figura de Central". Soy del Millo (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  9. ↑ Evangeliste, Elbio (27 May 2026). "Ovando: "Central va a salir a buscar los tres puntos"". La Capital. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Giménez, Mariano (22 August 2026). "La historia de Ignacio Ovando, la joya del fútbol argentino que quiere Boca". El Intransigente (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  11. ↑ Carrara, Germán (2 June 2026). "Ignacio Ovando se sumó a la Selección Argentina para los amistosos previos al Mundial 2026". Bolavip Argentina (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "Lionel Scaloni llevará 30 jugadores a los amistosos previos al Mundial: Ovando, de Central, entre los convocados". Rosario3 (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  13. ↑ de Hoz, Nahuel (21 August 2026). "Boca mostró interés en Francisco Álvarez e Ignacio Ovando: todos los detalles". Bolavip Argentina (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2026.