Hernán Ismael Galíndez

The 2022 Liga Pro Serie A final gave Hernán Ismael Galíndez the moment that defines his time in Ecuador. Playing for Aucas, he saved a penalty in the final as the club took its first top-flight title, and he was named Best Player of the Final.

He had arrived in the country a decade earlier by a roundabout route. Galíndez came through Rosario Central, where he played from 2008 to 2011 with a loan at Quilmes in 2010, then moved to Ecuador in 2012 on loan to Universidad Católica — a switch that came after he had been linked with Rangers de Talca in Chile.

What was meant to be a temporary move became the longest chapter of his career. He stayed at Universidad Católica until 2021, made 396 appearances and captained the side for years, starting with the Segunda Categoría title in 2012, the season he joined. He left for Universidad de Chile in 2022 before returning to Ecuador with Aucas later the same year.

The international recognition followed late. Galíndez made his debut for Ecuador in June 2021, and has since gone on to 39 caps. He played at the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and at the World Cups of 2022 and 2026, keeping two clean sheets at the 2022 tournament and 13 across World Cup qualifying.

He joined Huracán in January 2024 for a fee of €0.34 million.