PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeremy Alberto Arévalo Mera |
| Date of Birth | 19 March 2005 (Age: 21) |
| Place of Birth | Maliaño, Spain |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian (also holds Spanish nationality) |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 87 kg |
| Position | Striker / Attacking Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | VfB Stuttgart |
| Previous Clubs | Racing Santander, Deportivo Rayo Cantabria |
| International Caps | 4 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (squad member, did not play) |
| Contract Until | 2031 |
| Market Value | €2.5M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America represented a dream come true for Jeremy Arévalo. The 21-year-old striker, born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, had been named in Ecuador’s 26-man squad—the culmination of a meteoric rise that had taken him from Racing Santander’s youth academy to the global stage in just one season.
Arévalo was included in Sebastián Beccacece’s forward line alongside Enner Valencia, Kevin Rodríguez, and Jordy Caicedo. He was part of Ecuador’s Group E campaign alongside Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, and Curaçao. Arévalo was an unused substitute throughout the tournament, but his inclusion in the squad confirmed his status as one of Ecuador’s most promising young attackers.
The boy from Maliaño—who had once represented Spain at U18 level—had chosen to honour his parents’ homeland and was now a World Cup player. “The call-up confirms the meteoric growth of a player who has not stopped taking steps forward throughout the season,” Spanish media noted.
Origins
Jeremy Alberto Arévalo Mera was born on 19 March 2005 in Maliaño, Spain, to Ecuadorian parents. He holds dual Spanish and Ecuadorian nationality. He is 1.80 metres tall, left-footed, and primarily operates as a striker.
His football journey began in Spain’s youth system. He developed at Racing Santander’s academy, working his way through the ranks before making his breakthrough with the first team. During this period, he was called up by Spain’s U18 team in 2023, playing three friendlies and scoring against Italy.
The Professional Forge
Racing Santander (2024-2025):
Arévalo’s breakout season came at Racing Santander in Spain’s Segunda División. He scored nine goals in 40 appearances for the club. His performances made him one of the most promising young forwards in Spanish football, attracting interest from clubs across Europe. Roma were among the clubs to show interest, reportedly inviting the player’s family for initial talks.
VfB Stuttgart (2026-Present):
In January 2026, Arévalo completed a transfer to Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart for a reported fee of €7.5 million. He signed a contract valid until 2031.
Stuttgart’s sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth said: “[Jeremy has] many of the qualities a striker needs and has proven his abilities in Santander. At the same time, he is still young and we see a lot of potential in Jeremy that we wish to help him develop.”
In his first months at Stuttgart, Arévalo made seven appearances for the first team without scoring. He was more prolific for Stuttgart II, scoring five goals in four appearances. He also scored a hat-trick in the 3. Liga against Rot-Weiss Essen on 2 May 2026.
His 2025-26 season across all competitions produced 13 goals in 29 appearances, averaging a goal every 96 minutes.
International Career
Youth Career:
Arévalo initially represented Spain at U18 level, playing three friendlies and scoring against Italy in 2023.
Switch to Ecuador:
Ecuador approached Arévalo before Spain could secure his long-term commitment, and he accepted the chance to represent his parents’ homeland. He played for Ecuador’s U20 team at the 2025 South American U-20 Championship, featuring in five matches (though he was used as a midfielder rather than a striker).
Senior Debut:
Arévalo made his senior debut for Ecuador in 2025. He has accumulated four caps and 81 minutes of international football across friendlies against Guatemala, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Canada. He has yet to score his first international goal.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
Arévalo was named in Ecuador’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He was an unused substitute in Ecuador’s matches against Côte d’Ivoire, Curaçao, Germany, and Mexico. Ecuador reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
International Record:
Arévalo has earned 4 caps for Ecuador and has yet to score his first international goal.
The Anatomy of His Game
Arévalo is a left-footed striker known for his goalscoring instinct, versatility, and movement. He can operate as a central striker or as an attacking midfielder.
In Possession:
Arévalo’s goalscoring output is his standout attribute. In the 2025-26 season, he recorded 13 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions, averaging a goal every 96 minutes. In the 3. Liga, he scored five goals and provided one assist in limited appearances. His shot map shows 33% of his shots on target.
Out of Possession:
Arévalo contributes to the team’s pressing game with his work rate. His defensive contributions rank in the 60th percentile compared to other forwards.
Psychological Edge:
Arévalo’s decision to represent Ecuador over Spain reflected a deep connection to his heritage. His transition from Spain’s U18 setup to Ecuador’s senior World Cup squad in just two years demonstrates a rapid progression and commitment to his roots. His journey from Racing Santander’s academy to the Bundesliga and the World Cup in one season is a testament to his talent and ambition.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | Goals per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 7 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0.00 |
| 3. Liga (Stuttgart II) | 4 | 5 | 1 | 329 | 1.37 |
| La Liga 2 (Racing) | 18 | 8 | 0 | 875 | 0.82 |
| Other | — | — | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | 29 | 13 | 1 | 1,242 | 0.94 |
TABLE B: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE C: Career Overview
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racing Santander | 2024-2025 | 40 | 9 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 2026-Present | 7 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | 47 | 9 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Spain U18 | 3 | 1 |
| Ecuador U20 | 5 | 0 |
| Ecuador Senior | 4 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 |
What these figures reveal is a player who has progressed rapidly over a short period. His nine goals in 40 appearances for Racing Santander earned him a €7.5 million move to the Bundesliga. His 2025-26 season produced 13 goals across all competitions—a strike rate of one goal every 96 minutes. His World Cup selection at age 21, despite limited international experience, reflects the potential Ecuador’s coaching staff see in him.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Arévalo’s story is defined by a rapid rise and a choice of nationality. He was born in Maliaño, Spain, to Ecuadorian parents, and his progression has been so fast that Spanish media described the 2025-26 season as his “dream year.”
His progression from Racing Santander’s academy to the Bundesliga and the World Cup in just months turned him into one of the most talked-about young forwards in Spanish football. He had been on the verge of a loan move in the summer of 2025, but his performances forced Racing to keep him in the first team, and by January 2026, he was sold to Stuttgart for a significant profit.
His decision to represent Ecuador over Spain was a moment of clarity. After representing Spain at U18 level, he switched to Ecuador and was fast-tracked into the senior setup. His inclusion in the World Cup squad is a reflection of that choice.
The Verdict from the Camp
Fabian Wohlgemuth, VfB Stuttgart Sporting Director:
“[Jeremy has] many of the qualities a striker needs and has proven his abilities in Santander. At the same time, he is still young and we see a lot of potential in Jeremy that we wish to help him develop.”
El Diario Montañés (Spanish Media):
“The call-up confirms the meteoric growth of a player who has not stopped taking steps forward throughout the season.”
Ecuavisa (Ecuadorian Media):
“Jeremy Arévalo is perhaps the least known face to the general public. The young Stuttgart attacker managed to convince the coach thanks to his evolution in Germany and his ability to perform in various offensive positions. His call-up reflects Ecuador’s commitment to young players with international projection and room for growth.”
Where Next?
Jeremy Arévalo is 21 years old and under contract with VfB Stuttgart until 2031. His World Cup experience, even without playing, has given him exposure to the highest level. He is expected to continue developing at Stuttgart, where he is viewed as a long-term investment in attacking talent.
For Ecuador, Arévalo represents a new generation of attacking talent. He is expected to become a more regular feature in the national team setup ahead of the 2027 Copa América and the 2030 World Cup cycle.
From Maliaño to Santander, from Stuttgart to the World Cup, Jeremy Arévalo’s journey is a story of rapid ascent, heritage, and opportunity. The boy who chose Ecuador over Spain is now a World Cup player—and his story is only just beginning.
