Announcer Andrés Cantor built his career into an iconic global phenomenon

Telemundo's lead soccer play-by-play announcer, Andrés Cantor, has built a career centered around his distinctive "goooool!" exclamation, establishing him as a recognizable brand among Spanish-speaking soccer fans.

Cantor's signature prolonged "goooool!" has become synonymous with game-winning moments. He has covered major soccer tournaments, including multiple World Cups, Copa América, and the Olympics. For the 2026 World Cup in North America, Cantor has traveled over 20,000 miles, calling 15 matches across the host cities.

The current World Cup has seen record viewership on Telemundo. Miguel Lorenzo, a senior vice president at Telemundo Deportes, stated that this year's tournament has been the most watched in Spanish in the U.S. He noted that half the country follows the World Cup in Spanish on Telemundo, attracting a diverse audience.

Cantor's own journey began with aspirations of becoming a writer. After studying journalism at the University of Southern California, he started writing for the Argentine newspaper El Gráfico. A chance audition in 1987 for Spanish International Network (now Univision) led him into broadcasting. His first attempt at play-by-play, where he naturally stretched out the "goal" call, became his breakthrough.

Beyond his commentary work, Cantor has made guest appearances on shows like "The Simpsons" and in the movie "Muppets Most Wanted." His voice has also been featured in advertising campaigns for brands such as Coors, Lowe's, and Visa, often playing on his famous phrase. Cantor's success is built on decades of preparation, including vocal coaching and carefully selecting external opportunities to maintain his brand.