Ayrton Nicolás Portillo

The right-back came through Unión de Esperanza before joining Atlético Rafaela's academy, and it was there, in the Primera Nacional, that he built his career — a debut against Deportivo Riestra in November 2020 and, two months later, his first senior goal against Quilmes. Over four seasons he made 124 appearances for the club, scoring eight times, enough to attract Defensa y Justicia, who signed him in July 2024 and took on 60 per cent of his economic rights.

His first involvement in the new colours came against Boca Juniors, and it was against the same opponent, the following season, that he found himself at the centre of a refereeing row: Defensa y Justicia claimed a handball against him had gone unpunished. No sanction followed, and the episode passed without further consequence for his run of games.

Portillo did not hold a first-team place straight away. In July 2025 he went out on loan to San Martín de San Juan, where he played 30 league matches without scoring, before returning to Defensa y Justicia in December 2025. Back at the club, he has featured more heavily in attack than his position might suggest: 16 Liga Profesional appearances this season have brought three goals and five assists, with two further outings in the Copa Argentina.

He has never been called up by Argentina at any level, and his market value sits at around one million euros. His contract with Defensa y Justicia runs to December 2027.