Matías Almeyda

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
Representing  Argentina
Men's football
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta Team Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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.

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. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  4. ^ a b 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 22 December 2024[52]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
River Plate Argentina 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] Mexico 15 September 2015 11 June 2018 139 56 44 39 167 143 +24 040.29
San Jose Earthquakes United States 8 October 2018 18 April 2022 103 33 26 44 158 192 −34 032.04
AEK Athens Greece 18 Μay 2022 present 117 74 23 20 220 91 +129 063.25
Total 517 236 142 139 790 573 +217 045.65

Honours

Player

River Plate[53]

Lazio[53]

Parma[53]

Argentina[16]

Individual

Manager

River Plate[52]

Banfield[52]

Guadalajara[52][28]

AEK Athens

Individual

Notes

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

References

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  2. ^ a b 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.
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  29. ^ a b Quezada, Javier (25 April 2018). "¡Campeones de CONCACAF!" [CONCACAF champions!] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
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  48. ^ Matías Almeyda at BDFutbol
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  51. ^ "A melhor resposta" [The best reply]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 27 July 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
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  53. ^ a b c "Matías Almeyda". Eurosport. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
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  58. ^ "Chivas' SCCL conquest paves way for Almeyda honor". CONCACAF. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
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