Matías Gallardo

Matías Gallardo's first involvement with football came through the family business: he joined River Plate's youth ranks in 2014. He worked his way up through the reserve side and the Cuarta División, where he scored in a 2–1 win over Unión de Santa Fe in June 2023.

His senior debut, in March 2023, carried an echo of family history: he came on for River in a friendly against Universidad de Chile, a 4–3 win that fell almost three decades to the day after his father's own debut for the club. It remained his only appearance for the first team before he left for the United States that July, joining Atlanta United 2 in MLS Next Pro on a free transfer.

Gallardo spent two seasons with the Atlanta side, making 31 appearances and contributing a goal and three assists. He also trained with Atlanta United's first team on a short-term deal in June 2024, twice named among the substitutes without getting onto the pitch before the agreement expired at the end of the year.

He signed for Instituto on a free transfer through to December 2027. He made his league debut for the club that March, at a point when a career built largely in reserve and development football finally moved into senior competition on a regular footing.