Tiago Quintal

Tiago Quintal
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-06-16) 16 June 2006 (age 20)
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sydney FC
Youth career
Baulkham Hills FC
2018– Sydney FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2025 Sydney FC NPL 28 (9)
2024– Sydney FC 41 (6)
International career‡
2022–2023 Australia U17 7 (4)
2024–2025 Australia U20 16 (0)
2026– Australia U23 1 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Australia
AFC U-20 Asian Cup
Winner2025 ChinaTeam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 April 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 5 October 2025

Tiago Quintal (Portuguese: [tiˈaɣu kĩˈtal]; born 16 June 2006) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for A-League Men club Sydney FC.

Early life

Quintal was born on 16 June 2006 in Sydney and raised in the suburb of Baulkham Hills to Portuguese and Italian parents. As a child, Quintal attended King Park Public School and Westfields Sports High School. He supported Premier League club Chelsea and idolised Eden Hazard and Adrian Mierzejewski. Quintal started playing soccer at Baulkham Hills FC and signed for the youth academy of Sydney FC at the age of 11. In March 2023, he went on a two-week trial at Lyon Academy in France.

Club career

Sydney FC

2024–25: Youth career and debut

Quintal played for the under-20 and first grade teams in the 2022 NPL NSW season and made his senior debut on 19 June against Sutherland Sharks. In the 2024 season, he scored a brace and his first goal of the season in a 2–0 win over Manly United on 23 February. He scored his third goal in a 4–1 win over Central Coast Mariners on 8 March. Two days later, Quintal featured for the first time in an A-League Men match as an unused substitute against Brisbane Roar. He scored once more with the youth team in the next NPL match against Western Sydney Wanderers on 15 March.

In April, Quintal signed his first professional contract on a three-year deal. After he scored a goal on his 18th birthday, Quintal scored his seventh in a 3–0 win in the returning fixture against the Wanderers. On 11 August, he registered two goals and two assists in a 5–1 win over APIA Leichhardt to move his side up to 15th on the table. In the final match of the season on 25 August, he recorded one assist in a 2–1 win over Sydney Olympic to help his side avoid relegation. At the 2024–25 season, he was included in the squad that played in the AFC Champions League Two. On 7 November, he made his professional debut against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the fourth group stage match. On 18 January 2025, Quintal scored his first goal in the A-League in a 4–3 loss to Brisbane Roar.

2025–27: Breakthrough seasons

The 2025–26 season saw Quintal make his breakthrough in the first-team. On 6 December, Quintal registered an assist in his first league start in a 2–1 win over Central Coast Mariners. He scored a brace in the Sydney Derby on 31 January 2026. In February, he managed two goals in four appearances with a goal each in the matches against Adelaide United (1–2), and Brisbane Roar (1–0). He scored his fifth goal in a 2–1 defeat to Newcastle Jets on 22 March. In the third derby clash against Western Sydney Wanderers, he recorded an assist in the 2–0 win at home. At the end of the regular season, Sydney finished fifth in the table. In the finals series, Quintal started in all three knockout matches leading to the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand. He started in the 1–0 final loss against Auckland FC on 23 May. In the same month, he was named the under-20 Player of the Year at the club's end of year ceremony.

In the 2026 Australia Cup, Quintal scored his first career hat-trick in a 5–1 first-round win over Bayswater City on 21 July. He became the youngest-ever player to score a hat-trick for Sydney FC, aged 20 years and 35 days. He scored his fourth goal of the campaign in a 4–2 win over Brisbane Roar in the Round of 16. Sydney FC were later knocked out in the semi-final by Melbourne Victory.

International career

Quintal received his first international call-up with the Australian under-17 team ahead of the 2022 AFF U16 Youth Championship. He featured in all three matches and started in two of them. Quintal was recalled for the under-17 side ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup. He made two appearances as Australia reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Japan. He scored four goals during the qualification stage with two goals each in the matches against Northern Mariana Islands, and Cambodia.

Style of play

Mainly positioned as an attacking midfielder, Quintal is described as having quick feet and awareness. He was described by then head coach Ufuk Talay as a creative player that "can play between the lines" and a good dribbler with a natural goal-scoring ability.

Career statistics

As of 26 April 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Domestic Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sydney FC NPL 2022 NPL NSW 40——40
2023 NPL NSW 10——10
2024 NPL NSW 23 9 — — 23 9
2025 NPL NSW 7 1 — — 1 1
Total 35 10 0 0 0 0 35 10
Sydney FC 2024–25 A-League Men 17 1 0 0 5 0 22 1
2025–26 A-League Men 24 5 3 0 — 27 5
Total 41 6 3 0 5 0 49 6
Career total761630508416

Honours

Australia U-20

References

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  2. 1 2 "Tiago Quintal – Player Profile". Sydney FC. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 5 November 2026.
  3. ↑ "Meet our Squad – Asian Edition". Sydney FC. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Sydney FC Academy Attacker Signed To A-League Contract". Sydney FC. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Kemp, Emma (22 March 2023). "'It's not luck': the winning formula behind a sporting talent factory". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Jones, Shane (5 October 2022). "Australia out to get the job done to make Asian Cup". Herald Sun. The Goulburn Valley News. Retrieved 4 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ "Under 20's". Sydney FC. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  8. ↑ "Sky Blues Held After Dramatic Sharks Comeback". Sydney FC. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  9. ↑ "Quintal double sinks Manly United". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  10. ↑ "NPL record first three points against Manly". Sydney FC. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  11. ↑ "Second half blitz sees Sydney FC dismantle Mariners". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  12. ↑ "NPL record Friday night victory over Mariners". Sydney FC. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  13. ↑ Godfrey, Dan (10 March 2024). "Ten Man Sydney FC Extend Unbeaten Run". Sydney FC. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  14. ↑ "Wanderers sizzle past rivals Sydney FC with second half masterclass". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  15. ↑ Kopp, Melinda (16 June 2024). "Mariners and Sydney FC settle for draw in 'Battle of the Academies'". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  16. ↑ Kopp, Melinda (23 June 2024). "Sydney FC grab derby spoils in important victory". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  17. ↑ Kopp, Melinda (11 August 2024). "APIA humbled by ruthless Sydney FC". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  18. ↑ Kopp, Melinda (25 August 2024). "Sydney FC survive relegation with thriller over Olympic". NPL Men's NSW. Football NSW. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  19. ↑ davidw (10 September 2024). "Sydney FC Name Six Academy Prospects In ACL2 Squad". Sydney FC. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  20. ↑ "Sky Blues Fall To Japanese Title Contenders". Sydney FC. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  21. ↑ "Weary Sydney FC Almost Pull Off Great Comeback". Sydney FC. 18 January 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  22. ↑ Dodd, James (18 January 2025). "Drought broken! Brisbane Roar STUN Sydney FC to earn first win of the season". A-Leagues. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  23. ↑ Stoodley-Williamson, Henry (24 April 2026). "Quintal not worried about Auckland". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  24. 1 2 Monteverde, Marco (21 May 2026). "Young Sydney FC stars credit coach for confidence ahead of A-League grand final". news.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
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  26. ↑ Edwards, Josh (31 January 2026). "Sydney FC Demolish Western Sydney Wanderers 4–1". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  27. ↑ Weiner, David (31 January 2026). "Talay reveals 'different' secret dressing room ploy as 19yo and 16yo sensations dominate Sydney Derby". Football360. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  28. ↑ "Sydney FC Succumb To 2–1 Reds Defeat". Sydney FC. 14 February 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  29. ↑ Edwards, Josh (21 February 2026). "Sydney FC Cruise To 1–0 Roar Win". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  30. ↑ Clarke, George (21 February 2026). "Quintal's quality helps Sydney sneak past Roar". AAP News. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  31. ↑ Roberts, Reef (22 March 2026). "Sydney FC Fight In Narrow Defeat To Newcastle Jets". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  32. ↑ Yalda, Jacob (11 April 2026). "Sydney FC Deliver Derby Dominance To Move Third". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  33. ↑ "Sydney FC face Victory in Elimination Final". Sydney FC. 26 April 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  34. ↑ Roberts, Reef (23 May 2026). "Sydney FC See Heartbreaking Defeat Despite Unbreakable Effort". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  35. ↑ "Okon And Pearson Named Players of The Year". Sydney FC. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  36. ↑ "Quintal Hat-trick Guides Sydney FC Into Next Round". Sydney FC. 21 July 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  37. ↑ Monteverde, Marco (22 July 2026). "Rhyan Grant challenges young Sydney FC teammates to impress against Premier League giants Tottenham". news.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2026. Standout performers included 20-year-old attacking midfielder Tiago Quintal, who scored a hat-trick...
  38. ↑ "Academy shine in Hahn Australia Cup performance". Sydney FC. 23 July 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  39. ↑ "Sydney FC Into Quarter Finals after 4-2 Win". Sydney FC. 9 August 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  40. ↑ Rizki, Zak (9 September 2026). "Brave Sydney FC Bow Out After Dominant Semi-Final Display". Sydney FC. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  41. ↑ "Six Sky Blues In U16 Australia Squad". Sydney FC. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  42. ↑ "Four Sky Blues named in Australian U17's". Sydney FC. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  43. ↑ "Sydney Academy players' U17's Asian Cup run ends". Sydney FC. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  44. ↑ Curulli, Chris (5 October 2022). "Subway Joeys comfortably defeat Northern Mariana Islands in Shepparton opener". Football Australia. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  45. ↑ Curulli, Chris (7 October 2022). "Subway Joeys stay top with ten-goal Cambodia victory". Football Australia. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  46. ↑ Street, Phoebe (4 October 2022). "NSW junior football players to watch: Best young talent in U16 boys, U18 girls". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  47. 1 2 "Tiago Quintal – Player Profile". Football NSW. Retrieved 4 November 2023.