Nelson Palacio

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Palacio and the second or maternal family name is Ruiz.

Nelson Daniel Palacio Ruiz (born 16 June 2001) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Swiss Super League club FC Zürich, on loan from, Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake, and the Colombia national team.

Nelson Palacio

Personal information
Full name	Nelson Daniel Palacio Ruiz[1]
Date of birth	(2001-06-16) 16 June 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth	Apartadó, Colombia
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	FC Zürich (on loan from Real Salt Lake)
Number	15
Youth career
2007–2020	Atlético Nacional
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2023	Atlético Nacional	71	(2)
2020–2021	→ Valledupar (loan)	34	(0)
2023–	Real Salt Lake	44	(1)
2023	→ Real Monarchs	3	(0)
2025–	→ FC Zürich (loan)	0	(0)
International career
2023–	Colombia	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11:25, 11 July 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Palacio is a youth product of Atlético Nacional since the age of 6, and worked his way up their youth categories.^[2] He began his senior career on loan with Valledupar in the Categoría Primera B from 2020 to 2021.^[3] He returned to Atlético Nacional in 2021, eventually helping them win a Copa Colombia, Categoría Primera A and Superliga Colombiana.^[4]

International career

Palacio was called up to the Colombia national team for a set of friendlies in March 2023.^[1] He made his debut with Colombia as a late substitute in a 2–2 friendly tie with South Korea on 24 March 2023.^[5]

Honours

Atlético Nacional

• Copa Colombia: 2021
• Categoría Primera A: 2022 Apertura
• Superliga Colombiana: 2023