Matías Almeyda

Matías Jesús Almeyda (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈti.as xeˈsus alˈmejða]; born 21 December 1973) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player who is the current manager of Greek Super League club AEK Athens.

Matías Almeyda

Almeyda in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Matías Jesús Almeyda
Date of birth	(1973-12-21) 21 December 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth	Azul, Argentina
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	AEK Athens (manager)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1991–1996	River Plate	68	(3)
1996–1997	Sevilla	28	(0)
1997–2000	Lazio	63	(2)
2000–2002	Parma	34	(0)
2002–2004	Inter Milan	47	(1)
2004–2005	Brescia	5	(0)
2005	Quilmes	10	(0)
2007	Lyn	2	(0)
2009	Fénix	4	(0)
2009–2011	River Plate	64	(0)
Total		324	(6)
International career
1992	Argentina U20	1	(0)
1995–1996	Argentina U23	13	(0)
1996–2003	Argentina	40	(1)
Managerial career
2011–2012	River Plate
2013–2015	Banfield
2015–2018	Guadalajara
2018–2022	San Jose Earthquakes
2022–	AEK Athens
Medal record Men's football Representing  Argentina Olympic Games 1996 Atlanta Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Nicknamed El Pelado ("bald one") despite his traditionally long hair,^[2] he played as a defensive midfielder and spent most of his 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, San Jose Earthquakes and AEK Athens.

Playing career

Club

Born in Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Almeyda started playing professionally for local and national powerhouse 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 in Spain, for a record fee for a player in the country of $9 million;^[3] he appeared regularly in his first and only season with the Andalusians, but suffered La Liga relegation.^[4]

Almeyda played in the Italian Serie A in the following eight years, successively representing Lazio, 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.^[5] 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 Mallorca,^[6] 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.^[7][8]

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, on a free transfer.^[9] The following year, after the team's relegation as second from bottom, he returned to Argentina and agreed to play for Quilmes, which appeared at the Libertadores, announcing his retirement after their elimination from that tournament.^[10]

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 Lyn in Oslo, in which he was accompanied by compatriot José Oscar Flores; their friend Terje Liverod was central in these transfers.^[11] 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 Fénix in the fourth division.^[12] During his brief spell, he managed to be sent off on two occasions.^[13]

On 19 August 2009, veteran Almeyda finally re-joined his main club River Plate, teaming up with former teammates Marcelo Gallardo and Ariel Ortega.^[2] 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.^[14]

International

Almeyda won 35 caps for Argentina over the course of seven years, his debut coming in April 1996 against Bolivia.^[15] Shortly after, he helped the Olympic side to the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.^[16]

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.^[17]

After Marcelo Bielsa became Argentina's manager, Almeyda did not get as much playing time.^[18][19] 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.^[16]

Managerial 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.^[20]

Banfield

In early April 2013, Almeyda signed with Banfield in the Argentine second level.^[21] During his spell, he won the league title, once again to be subsequently promoted.

Guadalajara

On 15 September 2015, Almeyda was appointed manager at Guadalajara of the Mexican Liga MX,^[22] proclaiming he wanted to "awaken the giant."^[23] 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.^[24]

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.^[25] On 10 July 2016, they played their first ever Supercopa MX and won their second trophy in under a year by besting C.D. Veracruz 2–0, and as a result qualified to the Libertadores for the first time since 2012,^[26] but ultimately did not participate as a result of scheduling conflicts.^[27]

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.^[28] After placing third overall in the Clausura's general table, the final second leg was played at the Estadio Chivas on 28 May 2017 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.^[28]

Almeyda won the 2018 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League with the club,^[29] and as a result qualified for that year's FIFA Club World Cup.^[30] On 11 June 2018, however, he left, citing differences with an executive.^[31][32]

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.^[33] He attained 44 points within the Western Conference, missing the playoff berth by one win.^[34]

The following campaign, Almeyda's side managed to reach the playoffs, facing Sporting Kansas City in the first round but losing following a 3–0 penalty shoot-out after a 3–3 tie.^[35]

On 18 April 2022, Almeyda and San Jose Earthquakes parted ways, two days after the team drew 2–2 with Nashville SC.^[36]

AEK Athens

On 20 May 2022, Almeyda signed a two-year contract with Greek Super League club AEK Athens. The contract includes a one-year renewal option, subject to performance satisfaction.^[37] On 10 January 2023, Almeyda renewed his contract with AEK until 2028. Almeyda went on to win the 2022–23 Super League Greece five points ahead of second place Panathinaikos and win the Greek Cup over PAOK in his debut season, giving AEK Athens their first double since 1978.^[38] Next year, Almeyda led AEK Athens to the Europa League group stage (three years after the last European presence in a group stage for AEK).

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, due to his "no-nonsense style of play," 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. During his time in Italy, pundits likened him to his rival, Dutch holding midfielder Edgar Davids of Juventus, although Almeyda believed that Davids was more offensive-minded, while he preferred to focus on the defensive aspect of the game in order to support his more creative and offensive teammates. Due to his diminutive stature, tackling, and ability to cover a lot of ground during matches, Almeyda was given the nickname el tractorito ("the little tractor," in Spanish) in the media.^{[15][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]}

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition^[47][48][49]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
River Plate	1991–92	Primera División	2	0	—		0	0	—		2	0
	1992–93		2	0	—		1[a]	0	—		3	0
	1993–94		14	0	1	0	0	0	—		15	0
	1994–95		25	1	—		8[a]	1	—		33	2
	1995–96		24	2	—		20[a]	1	—		44	3
	1996–97		1	0	—		—		—		0	0
	Total		68	3	1	0	29	2	—		98	5
Sevilla	1996–97	La Liga	28	0	2	0	—		—		30	0
Lazio	1997–98	Serie A	19	0	2	0	7[b]	0	—		28	0
	1998–99		25	1	5	0	6[c]	0	—		36	1
	1999–2000		19	1	2	0	8[d]	0	1[e]	0	30	1
	Total		63	2	9	0	21	0	1	0	94	2
Parma	2000–01	Serie A	16	0	3	0	4[b]	0	—		23	0
	2001–02		18	0	4	0	5[f]	0	—		27	0
	Total		34	0	7	0	9	0	—		50	0
Inter Milan	2002–03	Serie A	16	0	0	0	10[d]	1	—		26	1
	2003–04		11	0	3	0	7[g]	0	—		21	0
	Total		27	0	3	0	17	1	—		47	1
Brescia	2004–05	Serie A	5	0	0	0	—		—		5	0
Quilmes	2005–06	Primera División	10	0	0	0	5[a]	0	—		15	0
Lyn	2007	Tippeligaen	2	0	2	3	—		—		4	3
Fénix	2008–09	Primera C Metropolitana	4	0	—		—		—		4	0
River Plate	2009–10	Primera División	32	0	0	0	—		—		32	0
	2010–11		30	0	0	0	—		—		30	0
	Total		62	0	0	0	—		—		62	0
Career total			304	5	23	3	81	3	1	0	409	11

1. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
5. Appearance(s) in UEFA Super Cup
6. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Cup
7. Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[50]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Argentina	1996	6	0
	1997	6	0
	1998	11	0
	2000	3	1
	2001	5	0
	2002	4	0
	2003	5	0
Total		40	1

Score and result list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Almeyda goal.

International goal scored by Matías Almeyda^[51]

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	26 July 2000	Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil	Brazil	1–2	1–3	2002 World Cup qualification

Managerial statistics

As of match played on 9 January 2025^[52]

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
River Plate		1 July 2011	27 November 2012	60	29	22	9	97	45	+52	048.33
Banfield		21 April 2013	3 August 2015	98	44	27	27	148	102	+46	044.90
Guadalajara[n 1]		15 September 2015	11 June 2018	139	56	44	39	167	143	+24	040.29
San Jose Earthquakes		8 October 2018	18 April 2022	103	33	26	44	158	192	−34	032.04
AEK Athens		18 Μay 2022	present	119	75	24	20	225	94	+131	063.03
Total				519	237	143	139	795	576	+219	045.66

Honours

Player

River Plate^[53]

• Argentine Primera División: 1993 Apertura, 1994 Apertura, 1996 Apertura
• Copa Libertadores: 1996

Lazio^[53]

• Serie A: 1999–2000
• Coppa Italia: 1997–98, 1999–2000
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1998
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1998–99
• UEFA Super Cup: 1999

Parma^[53]

• Coppa Italia: 2001–02

Argentina^[16]

• Summer Olympic Games Silver medal: 1996

Individual

• Guerin d'Oro (former Serie A Footballer of the Year): 1998–99^[54]

Manager

River Plate^[52]

• Primera Nacional: 2011–12

Banfield^[52]

• Primera Nacional: 2013–14

Guadalajara^[52][28]

• Liga MX: Clausura 2017
• Copa MX: Apertura 2015, Clausura 2017
• Supercopa MX: 2016
• CONCACAF Champions League: 2018^[29]

AEK Athens

• Super League Greece: 2022–23
• Greek Cup: 2022–23

Individual

• Primera Nacional Manager of the Year: 2011–12,^[55] 2013–14^[55]
• Liga MX Best XI Manager: Clausura 2017^[56]
• Liga MX Manager of the Season: 2016–17^[57]
• CONCACAF Men's Football Coach of the Year: 2018^[58]
• Super League Greece Manager of the Season: 2022–23

Notes

1. Includes matches from Liga MX, Copa MX, Supercopa MX and Copa Libertadores

References

1. "MATIAS ALMEYDA - gazzetta". gazzetta.it.
2. Calegari, Rodrigo (19 August 2009). "Tenía muchas ganas" [I wanted this very badly]. Olé (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
3. Ares, Carlos (31 August 1996). "El Sevilla paga 1. 160 millones por Almeyda, fichaje récord del fútbol argentino" [Sevilla pay 1. 160 million for Almeyda, Argentine football record signing]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2017.
4. "Almeyda: "Cuando salía a la cancha oía cómo la gente decía que dónde estaba el verdadero Almeyda"" [Almeyda: "When I took the pitch I heard people wondering where the real Almeyda was"]. ABC (in Spanish). 9 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
5. "Ricordi e gol di Parma Lazio" [Memories and goals of Parma Lazio]. La Repubblica (in Italian). 12 February 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
6. "Matias Almeyda". BBC Sport. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
7. Condò, Paolo (17 October 1999). "Una Lazio mostruosa" [Monster Lazio]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 30 October 2017.
8. Newman, Blair (30 March 2015). "How Sven-Goran Eriksson's Lazio won the great Serie A title race of 1999–2000". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
9. "Brescia boosted by Almeyda". UEFA. 24 August 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
10. Torres, Fabián (29 May 2017). "10 cosas que tal vez no sabías de 'El Pelado' Almeyda" [10 things you maybe did not know about 'El Pelado' Almeyda]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2017.
11. "Almeyda y el 'Turu' Flores regresan al fútbol en la Liga noruega" [Almeyda and Turu Flores return to football in the Norwegian League]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 26 March 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
12. "Almeyda: de refuerzo de River a la Primera C" [Almeyda: from River signing to Primera C] (in Spanish). DERF. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
13. "Fine form and favoured targets". FIFA. 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
14. "Matías Almeyda pasa de jugador a entrenador en River" [Matías Almeyda goes from player to manager in River]. Marca (in Spanish). 28 June 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
15. Dotto, Matteo. "ALMEYDA, Matías Jesus" (in Italian). Treccani. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
16. Gowar, Rex; Chakraborty, Amlan (19 September 2015). "Soccer-Almeyda takes charge of relegation-haunted Guadalajara". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
17. "WORLD CUP: Croatia takes out mighty Germany". Kitsap Sun. 5 July 1998. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
18. "En el nombre de Bielsa" [In the name of Bielsa]. Clarín (in Spanish). 7 November 2002. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
19. Iucht, Román (2012). La vida por el fútbol: Marcelo Bielsa, el último romántico [Life for football: Marcelo Bielsa, the last romantic] (in Spanish). Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Argentina. pp. 206–. ISBN 978-950-07-3749-4.
20. Gowar, Rex (29 November 2012). "River coach Almeyda quits citing lack of support". Reuters. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
21. "Almeyda, el nuevo DT de Banfield" [Almeyda, Banfield's new HC] (in Spanish). Todo Noticias. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
22. "Matías Almeyda es el nuevo pastor del Rebaño Sagrado" [Matías Almeyda is the new shepherd of the Holy Herd]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 15 September 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
23. "Chivas presenta oficialmente a Matías Almeyda como nuevo entrenador" [Chivas officially present Matías Almeyda as new coach] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
24. "Calendario (Apertura 2015)" [Schedule (Apertura 2015)] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
25. Giaccardi, José Fernando (4 November 2015). "Chivas campeón de la Copa MX Apertura 2015!" [Chivas 2015 Apertura Copa MX champions!] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
26. Sennikoff, Kyle (10 July 2016). "Chivas wins Super Copa MX 2–0, gets Copa Libertadores birth". Vavel. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
27. "América, Chivas y Xolos no disputarán la Copa Libertadores" [America, Chivas and Xolos will not participate in Libertadores Cup] (in Spanish). Esto. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
28. "Los 12 campeonatos de Chivas" [Chivas' 12 championships]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 May 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
29. Quezada, Javier (25 April 2018). "¡Campeones de CONCACAF!" [CONCACAF champions!] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
30. "2018 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League final set" (Press release). CONCACAF. 11 April 2018. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
31. "Almeyda alude por primera vez a Higuera como culpable de su salida de Chivas" [Almeyda mentions Higuera as guilty of his departure from Chivas for the first time] (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
32. Bourgeois, Blaise (June 2018). "Matias Almeyda stepping down as Chivas manager". One Football. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
33. "Earthquakes hire Matias Almeyda as head coach". San Jose Earthquakes. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
34. Garcia, Kyle (6 October 2019). "Despite missing playoffs, San Jose Earthquakes celebrate massive improvement in 2019". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
35. "Melia saves day as Sporting KC eliminates San Jose after penalties". ESPN. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
36. "San Jose Earthquakes part ways with head coach Matias Almeyda". Major League Soccer. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
37. "Matias Almeyda, ΑΕΚ FC new head coach!". aekfc.gr. Online. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
38. "AEK relives glory days of 1978 after historic third double". NEOS KOSMOS. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
39. Ghio, Nicola (28 January 2014). "Il lìder massimo: i 18 anni del Petroliere #8 (2002/03)" [Top leader: the 18th anniversary of Petroliere #8 (2002/03)] (in Italian). Sport Main. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
40. Chioffi, Stefano (29 March 2013). "Erbes, corsa e pressing: ecco un altro Almeyda" [Erbes, stamina and pressing: here is another Almeyda]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 21 July 2015.
41. Mazur, Martin (26 September 2012). "La vita dell'Indio Almeyda tra alcol e depressione" [The life of Almeyda the Indian among alcohol and depression]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 20 November 2017.
42. Bertoncini, Antonio (4 May 2009). "Alfabeto gialloblù" [Yellow and blue alphabet]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 21 November 2017.
43. Piccioni, Valerio; Imparato, Gaetano (29 March 2000). "Almeyda è rimasto a Roma: è tornato capitan Uncino" [Almeyda has stayed in Rome: captain Hook has returned]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 21 November 2017.
44. Galdi, Andrea (20 September 1997). "Almeyda, 'Trattorino' di Baires" [Almeyda, the "Little Tractor" from Baires]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 21 November 2017.
45. Antognoni, Dominique. "Almeyda Does Not Regret Lazio Exit". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
46. Antonelli, Michele (27 April 2021). "Edgar Davids diventa Super Sayan: l'allenamento del Pitbull è da Dragon Ball" [Edgar Davids becomes a Super Sayan: the Pitbull's Dragon Ball–like training]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 14 March 2024.
47. "Almeyda Matías Jesus" (in Italian). Tutto Calciatori. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
48. Matías Almeyda at BDFutbol
49. "Matías Almeyda". BDFA (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 November 2019.
50. "Matías Almeyda". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
51. "A melhor resposta" [The best reply]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 27 July 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
52. "M. Almeyda". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
53. "Matías Almeyda". Eurosport. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
54. Pierrend, José Luis; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Italy – Footballer of the Year". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
55. "MATIAS ALMEYDA". www.aekfc.gr. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
56. "Chivas y Tigres dominan el 11 ideal del Clausura 2017" [Chivas and Tigres dominate the ideal 11 of the 2017 Clausura]. Marca (in Spanish). 30 May 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
57. "Chivas y Almeyda acapararon el Balón de Oro" [Chivas and Almeyda ruled Golden Ball] (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
58. "Chivas' SCCL conquest paves way for Almeyda honor". CONCACAF. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.

External links

• Argentine League statistics at Fútbol XXI at the Wayback Machine (archived 6 September 2012) (in Spanish)
• Matías Almeyda at BDFutbol
• Matías Almeyda at National-Football-Teams.com
• Matías Almeyda – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Liga MX coach profile (in Spanish)