He started his career in the esteemed River Plate system, but achieved highest accolades while at Queens Park Rangers and Columbus Crew.

[11] He eventually got his chance due to injuries from January 2003, and he finally started to display his tough slide tackling and steely determination.

[12] Padula helped QPR to the 2003 Division Two playoff final which he started and performed solidly against Cardiff City at the Millennium Stadium.

QPR finished second only to Plymouth and won promotion back to the second tier of English football, the newly renamed Championship.

Upon winning promotion on the final day of the season, beating Sheffield Wednesday 3–1 at Hillsborough,[14] Padula danced in front of the 8000 travelling QPR fans, holding an Argentina flag.

Padula signed for Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew on 24 March 2008, after going on trial with the club during preseason.