Lucas Hernán Villalba

Villalba came through Independiente's academy and made his first-team debut in the 2012–13 season, but the path to a settled place in the side ran through a string of loans rather than a straight breakthrough. Tucumán, Huracán and Aldosivi each took him in turn between 2016 and 2019, and it was the last of those, Aldosivi, that eventually signed him permanently on a free transfer once his contract at Independiente expired.

The move that shaped his career, though, came in 2021, when he joined Argentinos Juniors on a free. He became a regular there, and by the time he left for Cruzeiro he had built up over a hundred appearances for the club.

At Cruzeiro, Villalba has found the most significant moment of his career so far. He started in the final of the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro against Atlético Mineiro, a match that ended 1–0 to Cruzeiro but was overshadowed by a mass brawl; Villalba himself was sent off in the 76th minute. He was part of the squad that lifted the title.

Villalba has also been capped by Argentina at Under-20 level. He remains under contract at Cruzeiro through the end of 2026.