Santiago Molinaro - Independent Professional - Agronomist
Santiago Molinaro is a 34-year-old agronomist from Uruguay specializing in grounds management. His journey began during the pandemic while assisting with the maintenance of his amateur football team’s training fields. What started as a hobby soon became a passion, leading him to establish his own company, providing consultancy and grounds services to both professional and amateur teams.
Today, Santiago works with top Uruguayan professional clubs, including Liverpool F.C., Albion F.C., Rampla Juniors, Club Atlético River Plate, Club Nacional de Football, Club Atlético Progreso, and Danubio F.C, as well as schools and amateur football organizations such as The British Schools Old Boys & Old Girls Club, Instituto Crandon, Deutsche Schule, and Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club. Operating in Uruguay presents challenges due to limited infrastructure and machinery, but these constraints have fostered creativity, resourcefulness, and adaptability, enabling him to deliver professional-quality results in diverse environments.
Santiago contributes to the industry in two keyways. Firstly, he prioritizes personal development, continuously expanding his technical expertise and staying updated on best practices. Secondly, he shares knowledge with peers and other professionals, promoting collaboration, education, and the exchange of ideas to help raise industry standards.
A significant achievement has been demonstrating that high-quality training fields are possible even with limited budgets. Early in his career, he addressed skepticism that “training fields cannot meet playing standards” by fostering effective communication with managers, coaches, staff, and players, emphasizing that proper use and consistent maintenance are equally important. This approach has led to noticeable improvements, particularly in amateur settings, while strengthening his technical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Looking forward, Santiago aims to provide safer, higher-quality pitches for professional and amateur players, enhancing both performance and enjoyment of the sport. He is committed to expanding his technical knowledge and offering tailored, cost-effective solutions for a variety of clubs and teams. Beyond this, he seeks to develop local capacity by mentoring others, promoting best practices, and fostering collaboration among clubs and grounds teams.
Through combining technical excellence with education and community engagement, Santiago Molinaro strives to contribute to a sustainable, professional, and respected grounds management industry that benefits players, clubs, and the broader football community in Uruguay.
Since 2020, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Santiago Molinaro, whom I highly recommend. Although I was not involved in the early stages of his career, I have witnessed his professional performance firsthand in specific, high-pressure situations. Santiago consistently demonstrates strong technical expertise, a commitment to high-quality work, and a professional attitude. He stands out for his eagerness to learn, attention to detail, and sense of responsibility. His dedication to sports turf management is evident and supported by a continuous pursuit of improvement and training. Since 2024 we started sharing projects. Throughout this experience, our communication has been smooth and respectful, and Santiago has shown a consistently collaborative spirit, making him a reliable partner. For all these reasons, I firmly believe that Santiago has the potential and professional maturity to thrive in demanding international environments."
José Luis Pareja, Agronomist – Founding Partner, Melgreen
