Jonathan dos Santos
A technically gifted midfielder who carved his own path from Barcelona's academy to become a linchpin for Mexico's most popular club.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Mexican footballer·Birthday: April 26·Millennials
Biography
Living in the shadow of a famous sibling is a familiar narrative, but Jonathan dos Santos steadily wrote his own. Like his older brother Giovani, he was plucked from Monterrey as a teenager to join FC Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. While his brother dazzled with flair, Jonathan's game was built on control, crisp passing, and tactical intelligence. His Barcelona breakthrough was limited, leading to a vital spell at Villarreal where he matured into a complete central midfielder. His true ascendancy came with a return to North America, signing with LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. There, he became a two-time All-Star and the team's metronome. A crowning chapter began in 2022 with a move to Club América, Mexico's most iconic team, where his experience and poise in defensive midfield have made him a fan favorite and a key figure in their recent successes, finally claiming the spotlight on his own terms.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jonathan was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jonathan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jonathan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2019 MLS All-Star Game MVP award while playing for the LA Galaxy.
- Was a key member of the Mexico national team that won the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- Helped Club América win the Liga MX championship in the 2023 Apertura tournament.
- Earned over 50 caps for the Mexican national team, representing his country in multiple World Cups.
Did You Know?
He and his brother Giovani are the only siblings to have played for both Barcelona and the Mexican national team.
He holds a Portuguese passport due to his father's Brazilian heritage, which helped his move to Villarreal in the EU.
He scored his first goal for FC Barcelona's first team in a Copa del Rey match in 2011.
He was named the LA Galaxy Team MVP for the 2020 MLS season.
“I have always worked to be the reliable one in the middle.”
