Matías Almeyda


Matías Jesús Almeyda is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and the current manager of Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes.
Nicknamed El Pelado despite his traditionally long hair, he played most of his professional career at River Plate and in Italy, representing four teams in the latter country.
Almeyda represented Argentina, appearing with the national team in two World Cups. After retiring in 2011, he went on to manage River Plate, Banfield, Guadalajara and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Playing career

Club

Born in Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Almeyda started playing professionally for local and national powerhouse Club Atlético River Plate, first as understudy to Leonardo Astrada then as a starter, helping the side to the 1996 Primera División title after his insertion in the starting XI, as well as that year's Copa Libertadores. Shortly after, he moved to Sevilla FC in Spain for a record fee for a player in the country of $9 million; he appeared regularly in his first and only season with the Andalusians, but suffered La Liga relegation.
In the following eight years, Almeyda would play in the Italian Serie A, successively representing S.S. Lazio, A.C. Parma and Inter Milan. He spent three seasons in Rome with Lazio, becoming a firm fan favourite especially after scoring a 35-yard goal against Parma's Gianluigi Buffon, his only of the 1999–2000 campaign, which ended with league and Coppa Italia conquest; additionally, he was voted the competition's best player in 1998–99, and also won – as a starter – the last UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, against RCD Mallorca, and was often partnered with compatriot Juan Sebastián Verón in the heart of midfield by manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in his 4–4–2 formation, with Verón providing the creativity and Almeyda the strength.
In the summer of 2002, Almeyda was exchanged with Vratislav Greško and moved to Inter, where he was again partnered by compatriots as in his previous clubs. Two years later he joined his final team in Italy, lowly Brescia Calcio, on a free transfer; the following year, after the team's relegation, as second from bottom, he returned to Argentina and agreed to play for Quilmes Atlético Club, which appeared at the Libertadores, announcing his retirement after their elimination from that tournament.
After one-and-a-half years away from football, in which he represented Argentina in a Showball tour around the world alongside Diego Maradona and participated in the Indoor Football World Cup in Spain, Almeyda joined Norwegian Premier League side FK Lyn in Oslo, in which he was accompanied by compatriot José Oscar Flores. Their friend Terje Liverod was central in these transfers. The midfielder made his debut on 13 May 2007, but only played regularly in the reserves and in the domestic Cup, being released as the striker shortly after and again retiring from football.
On 16 January 2009, at almost 36, Almeyda, after nearly agreeing on a return to River, signed with modest Club Atlético Fénix in the fourth division. During his brief spell, he managed to be sent off on two occasions.
On 19 August 2009, veteran Almeyda finally re-joined his main club River Plate, teaming up with former teammates Marcelo Gallardo and Ariel Ortega. In June 2011, the team was relegated to the second level for the first time in their history and he retired from football, being appointed team manager the following month.

International

Almeyda won 35 caps for Argentina over the course of seven years, his debut coming in April 1996 against Bolivia. Shortly after, he helped the Olympic side to the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Subsequently, Almeyda was picked in the squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He started in all five games during the tournament, as the country reached the quarter–finals.
After Marcelo Bielsa became Argentina's manager, Almeyda did not get as much playing time. He was, however, selected for the 2002 World Cup which was held in South Korea and Japan, and played in the 1–1 group stage draw against Sweden.

Coaching career

River Plate

Almeyda spent 18 months in charge at River Plate, winning the Primera B Nacional and earning promotion back to the top division at the end of the 2011–12 season. He left the club in November 2012.

Banfield

In early April 2013, Almeyda signed with Club Atlético Banfield in the Argentine second level. During his spell, he won the league title once again to be subsequently promoted.

Guadalajara

On 15 September 2015, Almeyda was appointed manager at C.D. Guadalajara of the Mexican Liga MX, proclaiming he wanted to "awaken the giant." He won his first four matches in charge, including one against rivals Club América on 26 September by a score of 2–1 at the Estadio Azteca.
On 4 November 2015, after nine years of a title hiatus, Almeyda's team won the Copa MX after defeating Club León by a score of
1–0. On 10 July 2016, they played their first ever Supercopa MX and won their second trophy in under a year by defeating Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz 2–0, and as a result qualified to the Libertadores for the first time since 2012.
On 19 April 2017, Almeyda led Chivas to their fourth Copa MX title, defeating Monarcas Morelia in a penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw. On 28 May 2017, the domestic league's final second leg was played at the Estadio Akron and the hosts won their 12th title in the competition after besting Tigres UANL by an aggregate of 4–3; thus, they became the first team in Mexican history to win the double in a single season on two occasions.
Almeyda won the 2018 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League with the club, and as a result qualified for that year's FIFA Club World Cup. On 11 June 2018, however, he left, citing differences with an executive.

San Jose Earthquakes

On 8 October 2018, Almeyda was appointed as the new head coach of Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes, starting with the 2019 season.

Style of play

A tenacious, dynamic and physically strong player in spite of his diminutive stature, Almeyda excelled in a midfield holding role due to his stamina, tactical awareness, reactions, anticipation and work rate, as well as his ability to press opponents and break down opposition plays which allowed him to protect his team's back-line. Although he earned a reputation in the media as a hard tackler, he was gifted with good feet and passing ability, which enabled him to start attacking plays after winning back possession; he also stood out for his leadership throughout his career.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.26 July 2000Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil1–21–32002 World Cup qualification

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Club

River Plate
Lazio
Parma
Argentina
River Plate
Banfield
Guadalajara