Matías Jesús Almeyda (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈti.as xeˈsus alˈmejða]; born 21 December 1973) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player. He is the current head coach of Liga MX club Monterrey in Mexico.
Ironically nicknamed El Pelado ("the bald one") in reference to his long hair, Almeyda played for nine clubs across four countries over a career spanning two decades. He is most closely associated with River Plate, where he made his professional debut and later won four Primera División titles along with the Copa Libertadores. After retiring from playing, he took charge of the club, guiding them back to the top flight following their relegation the previous year.
He represented Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2002, and at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he won a silver medal in football.
Born in Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Almeyda began his career with River Plate, making his professional debut on February 21, 1992, in a match against Unión de Santa Fe. During his time at the club, he contributed to winning four Primera División titles and the Copa Libertadores.
In August 1996, he was transferred to Sevilla in La Liga, with his boyhood club receiving a record fee of $9 million. Despite playing regularly, Almeyda struggled during his single season with the club. Following Sevilla's relegation, he joined Lazio in Serie A, where he spent three seasons. He became an integral part of the club's golden era, helping them capture six trophies, including the domestic double in the 1999–2000 season.
In June 2000, Almeyda moved to Parma for a reported fee of $23 million. He spent two seasons there and won the Coppa Italia in the 2001–02 season. In July 2002, he moved to Inter Milan, and two years later he joined Brescia. After Brescia's relegation, he returned to Argentina to play for Quilmes. He retired in July 2005, citing exhaustion as the reason.
Almeyda came out of retirement in March 2007 to join Norwegian club Lyn, appearing in four matches before leaving the team and retiring once again. In January 2009, he briefly signed with Fénix in Argentina's fourth division. Later that year, in August, he rejoined River Plate during a troubled era for the club that culminated in relegation. Almeyda retired on June 22, 2011, and just five days later he was appointed River Plate's manager.
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.
On June 27, 2011, five days after retiring as a player, Almeyda became the manager of River Plate with the aim of returning the club to Argentina's top division. On June 23, 2012, River achieved promotion back to the Primera División under his leadership. Following an uneven campaign upon their return to the top tier, Almeyda resigned on November 28, 2012.
In April 2013, Almeyda became the head coach of Banfield in the Primera B Nacional. On May 16, 2014, Banfield secured promotion to the top division. Almeyda left the club on August 3, 2015.
In September 2015, Mexican club Guadalajara appointed Almeyda as their new manager. He won his first four matches in charge, including the Clásico Nacional against Club América at the Estadio Azteca. Over the next 18 months, Almeyda guided Guadalajara to three titles: two Copa MX trophies and a Supercopa MX.
Guadalajara qualified for the Clausura 2017 play‑offs, where they defeated Atlas in the quarter‑finals and subsequently eliminated Deportivo Toluca to reach the final. There, they prevailed 4–3 against Tigres UANL, securing the club's twelfth league championship.
On April 25, 2018, Guadalajara triumphed against Toronto to win the CONCACAF Champions League. On June 11, Almeyda resigned from his post following disagreements with the club's management.
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. He attained 44 points within the Western Conference, missing the playoff berth by one win.
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.
On 18 April 2022, Almeyda and San Jose Earthquakes parted ways, two days after the team drew 2–2 with Nashville SC.