Fernando Muslera is a veteran Uruguayan goalkeeper best known for his 14-year spell at Galatasaray, where he became the club’s most-capped foreign player, and for representing Uruguay at a record five FIFA World Cups.
Fernando Muslera’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Néstor Fernando Muslera Micol |
| Nickname | Castorino |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1986 |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 84 kg |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Playing Position | Goalkeeper |
| Youth Clubs | Montevideo Wanderers (2001–2004) |
| Senior Clubs | Montevideo Wanderers, Nacional (loan), Lazio, Galatasaray, Estudiantes |
| Current Club | Estudiantes de La Plata |
| Jersey Number | 16 |
| International Debut | October 10, 2009, vs. Ecuador |
| Year Turned Professional | 2004 |
| Net Worth | Around $12 million |
| Annual Salary | around EUR 2.75 million/year at peak Galatasaray contract |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Patricia Callero |
| Children | Three (Kailash, Tiziana, Dominique) |
| Instagram Profile | @muslera |
Early Career
Muslera grew up in Montevideo after his family relocated from Argentina, and he came through the youth ranks at Montevideo Wanderers.
He made his senior debut there in 2004 before a loan spell at Uruguayan giants Nacional in 2007 caught the eye of European scouts. His performances on loan convinced Italian side Lazio to sign him permanently later that year, kicking off his European adventure.
Professional Career
Muslera joined Lazio in 2007 for around €3 million and won the 2009 Coppa Italia after saving two penalties in the final shootout. In 2011, Galatasaray paid roughly €12 million combined to sign him, and he became a club legend, winning eight Süper Lig titles, five Turkish Cups, and six Super Cups across 14 seasons, setting the record for most Süper Lig appearances by a foreign player.
He left Galatasaray in June 2025 after 551 appearances and signed with Argentina’s Estudiantes, where he continues playing into 2026. Internationally, he’s Uruguay’s long-serving number one, representing the country at five separate World Cups, a record for any Uruguayan.
Wife
Muslera married Patricia Callero, a former model and fitness influencer, on January 2, 2016, and the couple has been together since he moved to Turkey in 2011. They have three children together: Kailash, Tiziana, and Dominique, born in 2017, 2019, and 2022 respectively. Callero stepped back from her modeling career after marriage to focus on raising their family.
Fernando Muslera’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Muslera’s net worth is estimated at around $12 million, built largely through his long, high-paying spell at Galatasaray and previous stints at Lazio. Exact current figures aren’t independently verified beyond this estimate, so treat it as an approximation rather than a confirmed audited number.
Contract
Muslera’s move to Estudiantes de La Plata in June 2025 came with a contract running until December 2026, following his exit from Galatasaray after 14 seasons. Financial terms of the Estudiantes deal have not been officially disclosed.
His earlier Galatasaray contracts are better documented: he initially signed a five-year deal in 2011 worth around EUR 2 million per year, which was extended in 2014 to EUR 2.75 million per year.
Salary
Muslera’s salary history shows a clear trajectory from his Lazio years through his long Galatasaray tenure to his current Argentine spell. At Galatasaray, his known salary rose from roughly EUR 2 million annually upon signing in 2011 to about EUR 2.75 million per year following his 2014 contract extension, reflecting his status as the club’s long-term first-choice goalkeeper.
His current wages at Estudiantes de La Plata have not been made public, and reports suggest a move to Argentine football typically involves a significant pay reduction compared to top European leagues.
Career Earnings
| Period | Club | Reported Figure | Source Type |
| 2007 | Lazio transfer fee | Approx. EUR 3 million | Transfer fee |
| 2011 | Galatasaray transfer | Approx. EUR 12 million (fee plus part-owner payout) | Transfer fee |
| 2011-2014 | Galatasaray salary | Approx. EUR 2 million/year | Contract |
| 2014-2025 | Galatasaray salary (post-extension) | Approx. EUR 2.75 million/year | Contract |
| 2026 (estimate) | Overall career net worth | Approx. USD 12 million | Estimate |
Endorsements
Public information on personal sponsorship or endorsement deals for Muslera is limited. As with most goalkeepers, his commercial ties have mostly run through club kit sponsors like Nike and Galatasaray’s official partners rather than standalone personal endorsement contracts, though no confirmed individual brand deals are publicly documented.
Career Stats
| Club/Country | Years | Appearances | Goals | Notes |
| Montevideo Wanderers | 2004–2007 | 44 | 0 | Youth product and first senior club |
| Nacional (loan) | 2007 | 17 | 0 | Loan spell that attracted European interest |
| Lazio | 2007–2011 | 113 | 0 | Won 2008–09 Coppa Italia |
| Galatasaray | 2011–2025 | 551 | 2 | 8 league titles, club appearance record |
| Estudiantes | 2025–present | 43 | 0 | Won 2025 Primera División Clausura |
| Uruguay (national team) | 2009–2026 | 137 | 0 | Won 2011 Copa América, 5 World Cups |
FAQs
1. Who is Fernando Muslera?
Néstor Fernando Muslera Micol is a Uruguayan professional footballer born on 16 June 1986 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who plays as a goalkeeper. He currently plays for Argentine Primera División club Estudiantes de La Plata and previously spent 14 years as Galatasaray’s number one goalkeeper.
2. What club does Muslera play for now?
Muslera signed with Argentine club Estudiantes de La Plata on 24 June 2025 on a contract running until December 2026. This move came after he left Galatasaray, ending a 14-year spell in Turkey.
3. How many years did Muslera play for Galatasaray?
Muslera spent 14 seasons at Galatasaray, from 2011 to 2025, making 443 league appearances and 551 total appearances for the club. He became the player with the most Süper Lig appearances in Galatasaray’s history, surpassing Bülent Korkmaz in January 2025.
4. What trophies has Muslera won with Galatasaray?
During his time at Galatasaray, Muslera won eight Süper Lig titles, five Turkish Cups, and six Turkish Super Cups, totaling 19 trophies with the club. His league titles came in the 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25 seasons.
5. Has Muslera won any titles with the Uruguay national team?
Yes, Muslera won the 2011 Copa América with Uruguay, held in Argentina, starting every match and playing every minute of the tournament. He was named man of the match in the quarter-final win over Argentina after saving a penalty from Carlos Tevez.
6. How many World Cups has Muslera played in?
Muslera has featured in five FIFA World Cup squads: 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026, making him the first Uruguayan player to be selected for five World Cup tournaments. He also became the Uruguayan with the most World Cup appearances, tying Edinson Cavani, and the oldest player to appear at a World Cup for Uruguay.
7. Did Fernando Muslera retire from international football?
Muslera announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team on 25 April 2024, but he was recalled in March 2026 for friendlies against England and Algeria. He then earned a place in Uruguay’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and announced a second retirement after Uruguay’s group-stage elimination.
8. How many caps does Muslera have for Uruguay?
Muslera earned 137 caps for Uruguay as of his final appearances in 2026, having made his debut on 10 October 2009 in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. He remained his country’s number-one goalkeeper across most of that span, aside from losing his starting spot to Sergio Rochet ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
9. What club did Muslera play for before Galatasaray?
Before joining Galatasaray, Muslera played for Lazio in Italy from 2007 to 2011, making 113 total appearances. He started his career at Montevideo Wanderers in Uruguay, with a loan spell at Nacional, before his move to Europe.
10. What is Muslera’s playing style known for?
Muslera is an acrobatic goalkeeper recognized primarily for his excellent shot-stopping ability and strength in the air. This reputation was built through standout performances such as saving two penalties in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final shootout against Ghana and two more in the decisive 2009 Coppa Italia final shootout for Lazio.