Biography
Who is Matías Galarza?
Early career and professional debut
Matías Galarza Fonda entered the world in Asunción, Paraguay, on February 11, 2002. He began his football path by training with Olimpia, a club located in his hometown. In June 2020, he moved to Brazil to join the youth setup at Vasco da Gama. He initially played for their under-20 squad before earning a spot on the senior team.
On March 3, 2021, he made his professional debut as a substitute against Portuguesa in the Campeonato Carioca. At that time, the nineteen-year-old became the youngest foreign player to represent Vasco da Gama during the 21st century. Later that same month, he scored his first professional goal during a 3-1 victory against Macaé. In May 2021, he secured a permanent contract with the Brazilian club lasting until 2025 after they acquired 60% of his economic rights for $500,000.
Club career across the Americas
The midfielder maintained a starting position for the remainder of the 2021 season, though his playing time decreased in 2022. During April 2022, he transferred to Coritiba in the Série A on a loan agreement that lasted until the end of that year. Following his time in Brazil, he joined the Argentine side Talleres on loan with a purchase option in August 2023. While playing for Talleres, he helped the team secure the Supercopa Internacional title.
Matías eventually signed with the Argentine club River Plate on July 24, 2025, with a contract running through December 31, 2028. His path continued in March 2026 when he moved to the United States to join Atlanta United on loan. By September 2026, he secured a loan move to Inter Miami. While playing for the Florida-based club, he contributed to their victory in the 2026 Campeones Cup.
International play and 2026 World Cup
Matías Galarza represents the Paraguay national team on the international stage. He made his senior debut for the squad on August 31, 2022, during a friendly match against Mexico that resulted in a 1-0 win. He earned a spot on the 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During the team's second match of the tournament against Turkey, he made a significant impact by scoring the only goal of the game just 64 seconds after kickoff. Despite his team playing with ten men for the entire second half, the midfielder was honored as the Man of the Match in the 1-0 victory. This goal set a record as the fastest scored in the tournament at that point, surpassing the previous record of 71 seconds set earlier that same day by Morocco's Ismael Saibari.
Personal measurements and physical stats
Matías Galarza stands at 175 centimeters tall. As an Aquarius, he has pursued a professional athletic career that spans multiple countries including Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. His consistent performance as a midfielder has allowed him to transition between various high-level professional clubs across the Americas.
Since his early days in Asunción, he has successfully adapted to different leagues and tactical systems, building a career characterized by his international experience and his specific contributions during tournament play.
Birthday and age
Matías Galarza was born on February 11, 2002, which makes Matías 24 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Matías shares the date with 67 other famous people.
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