Ramiro Funes Mori · Biography

On 5 November 2011, in San Salvador de Jujuy, José Ramiro Funes Mori made his professional debut for River Plate in a 4-1 away win over Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy, in round 13 of the Primera B Nacional, Argentina’s second tier. He started at centre-back, and the match reports noted how he organised the back four. A few days later he was diagnosed with appendicitis, which ruled him out for the rest of that campaign. Born in Mendoza on 5 March 1991, he is left-footed and the twin brother of striker Rogelio Funes Mori.

From Mendoza to Texas and back to Núñez

In 2001 the family emigrated to the United States, and the twins grew up playing football in Texas. In 2008, after Rogelio won the Sueño MLS talent competition, Ramiro joined the FC Dallas youth set-up, where he spent less than a year. That same year both brothers returned to Argentina and joined River Plate’s academy. Ramiro completed his development there until 2011, the year of the club’s first relegation, and his debut came in the 2011-12 Primera B Nacional, which River won to return to the top flight.

River Plate: the “Ramirazo” and a run of trophies

On 30 March 2014, in round ten of the Torneo Final, River visited La Bombonera with the score at 1-1 after goals from Manuel Lanzini and Juan Román Riquelme. In the closing minutes Funes Mori met a corner with his head, beating Agustín Orión to the ball for the 2-1 winner. It was River’s first victory at Boca’s stadium in ten years, and the corner that led to the goal, disputed by Boca, left the phrase “no fue córner” (“it wasn’t a corner”) in the folklore of the Superclásico. River went on to win the 2014 Torneo Final.

Under Marcelo Gallardo, the defender was part of the side that won the 2014 Copa Sudamericana, the 2015 Recopa Sudamericana, the 2015 Copa Libertadores and the 2015 Suruga Bank Championship. He was named in the team of the tournament for the 2014 Sudamericana and the 2015 Libertadores. His first spell at the club produced 108 appearances and 10 goals.

Everton and the Premier League

On 1 September 2015 Everton signed him for a reported £9.5 million. He made his debut on 12 September as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park, and in November he scored his first goal in England in a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth. He established himself in central defence, but in March 2017, on Argentina duty, he tore the meniscus in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. He needed a second operation in Barcelona in July that year and did not play for the first team again until 2018. He left Everton with 67 appearances and 5 goals.

Villarreal and the Europa League

On 21 June 2018 he joined Villarreal. Over three seasons with the Spanish club he played 74 matches and scored 3 goals. The last of those seasons ended with the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League, the club’s first major European trophy, won in the final in Gdansk against Manchester United.

Saudi Arabia, Mexico and a return to River

On 22 July 2021 he moved to Saudi club Al Nassr, for whom he played 23 matches. On 4 August 2022 he signed for Cruz Azul in Mexico, making 25 appearances and scoring once. On 18 July 2023 he returned to River Plate on a free transfer, eight years after leaving. His second spell brought 19 appearances without a goal and limited playing time. In February 2025 he terminated his contract and joined Estudiantes de La Plata.

Argentina national team

He won his first senior cap on 28 March 2015 in Washington, in a 2-0 friendly win over El Salvador. He was called up for the 2016 Copa América Centenario in the United States, playing all six matches, including the final that Argentina lost to Chile on penalties after a 0-0 draw. On 6 October 2016 he scored his first international goal in a 2-2 qualifier against Peru. He was named in the 35-man preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup but missed the final cut, and at the 2019 Copa América in Brazil he made one appearance as Argentina finished third.

Champion with Estudiantes

In La Plata he joined the Estudiantes squad during 2025. On 13 December that year, in Santiago del Estero, Estudiantes drew 1-1 with Racing in the Torneo Clausura final and won 5-4 on penalties, adding the 2025 Clausura to a record of honours that already included titles in Argentina, South America and Europe.