# Óscar Cortés (footballer, born 2003)

Óscar Manuel Cortés Cortés (born 3 December 2003) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership side Rangers, on loan from Ligue 1 club Lens.

## Club career
### Millonarios

Born in Tumaco, Cortés progressed through the academy of Millonarios, making his debut in the 2022 season. He signed his first professional contract in May of the same year.
On 12 January 2022, Cortés made his debut for Millonarios' first team in the opening match of the Apertura against Deportivo Pasto. He came on as a substitute in the 89th minute for Macalister Silva in a match that ended with Millonarios winning 1–0. In February, Cortés formed part of Millonario's under-20 squad, which competed at the 2022 U-20 Copa Libertadores. On 12 May, he scored his first professional goal in a second-leg Copa Colombia match against Jaguares de Córdoba, contributing to Millonarios' 1–1 tie in the game and aiding the team in advancing to the quarter-finals 4–1 on aggregate.
After an impressive performance for Colombia at the 2023 South American U-20 Championship, Cortés drew the attention of Serie A club Torino, who have been linked with a potential move for the player. Upon his return to Millonarios, Cortés scored his first brace for the club on 18 February during a league match against Jaguares. His performances contributed to Millonarios' 2–1 home victory, securing three important points for the team. On 2 March, a remarkable display by Cortés played a pivotal role in Millonarios' victory over Ecuadorian side Universidad Católica in the second round of the 2023 Copa Libertadores. Cortés' contribution included assisting Millonario's equalizing goal and creating the game-winning play that ultimately secured a 2–1 aggregate victory for Millonarios, advancing them to the third round of the tournament to face Brazilian powerhouse Atlético Mineiro.

### Lens

On 14 July 2023, Cortés transferred to French Ligue 1 club RC Lens. The fee reported for the transfer was $5 million (€4.4M). He scored his first goal with Lens on 16 December 2023 in a 2–0 home victory against Reims.

#### Loan to Rangers

On 1 February 2024, Cortés moved on loan to the Scottish club Rangers. On 24 February 2024, Cortés scored his first Rangers goal in a 5-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox. On 3 June 2024, Rangers announced that Cortés had signed another loan deal for the 2024-25 season, with an obligation to buy in the summer of 2025.

## International career
### Youth

Cortés has represented Colombia at under-20 level. He starred at the 2023 South American U-20 Championship as Colombia finished third, helping his team qualify to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. With three goals to his name, he emerged as Colombia's leading scorer in the tournament, thanks to his brace against Peru in the group stage and a goal he scored during Colombia's impressive 3–0 victory over Paraguay in the final stage.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 20 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Millonarios Fútbol Club | 2022 | Categoría Primera A | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Millonarios Fútbol Club | 2023 | Categoría Primera A | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 19 | 6 |
| Millonarios Fútbol Club | Total | Total | 20 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 29 | 7 |
| Lens II | 2023–24 | National 3 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Lens | 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Rangers (loan) | 2023–24 | Scottish Premiership | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Rangers (loan) | 2024–25 | Scottish Premiership | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 43 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 53 | 9 |
* ↑ Appearances in the Copa Colombia
* ↑ Four appearances in Copa Libertadores, four appearances in Copa Sudamericana
* ↑ Appearances in the Scottish Cup

### International

    As of match played 16 June 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Colombia | 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 1 | 0 |

## Honours

Millonarios
* Copa Colombia: 2022
* Categoría Primera A: 2023-I
Individual
* FIFA U-20 World Cup Bronze Boot: 2023