Hernán Galíndez

Hernán Ismael Galíndez (born 30 March

Hernán Galíndez
1987) is a professional footballer who plays as
a goalkeeper for Argentine Primera División
club Huracán. Born in Argentina, he
represents the Ecuador national team.

Born in Argentina, he began his career in

Argentina with Rosario Central before settling
in Ecuador with Universidad Católica, where
he made over 300 appearances in a nine-year
spell. In 2022, he joined Universidad de Chile
but left the club after six months, citing
harassment from the club's fanbase. He
returned to Ecuador with Aucas, helping the
side win the first title in the club's history in
his debut season. After a one-and-a-half-year
Galíndez with Universidad Católica in 2016
stint in Aucas, he returned to his birth country
Personal information
as he signed with Argentine club, Huracán.[3]
Full name Hernán Ismael Galíndez[1]
He plays for the Ecuador national team and Date of birth 30 March 1987[1]
represented them at the two editions of Copa Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
América (2021 and 2024), as well as the 2022 Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
FIFA World Cup, playing three times in each Position(s) Goalkeeper
tournament.
Team information
Current team Huracán

Club career Number 1

Youth career
Estrella Juniors
Early career Rosario Central
Senior career*
As a child, Galíndez played for local youth
club Estrella Juniors as a midfielder. During a Years Team Apps (Gls)
local youth tournament at the age of seven, he 2008–2011 Rosario Central 25 (0)
switched to play as a goalkeeper and faced a 2010–2011 → Quilmes (loan) 15 (0)
neighbouring team featuring Lionel Messi. 2012 Rangers 0 (0)
Galíndez later recounted that Messi scored the 2012 → Universidad Católica (loan) – (–)
first goal he had ever conceded, although his 2013–2021 Universidad Católica 319 (1)
team went on to win and he and his 2022 Universidad de Chile 14 (0)
teammates were awarded a bicycle for 2022–2023 Aucas 36 (0)
winning.[4][5] At the age of 10, he joined the 2024– Huracán 38 (0)
Rosario Central youth team,[6] remaining with
the club until he was 21, spending a period on International career‡
loan with Quilmes during the 2010–11 season. 2021– Ecuador 25 (0)
When the club was relegated in 2010, both *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as
Galíndez and his family received death threats of 17:48, 12 January 2025 (UTC)
and he contemplated giving up the game.[7] ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:22, 19
November 2024 (UTC)

In 2012, Galíndez was released by Rosario

and joined Rangers de Talca, but he only took part in the preseason until he was loaned to Universidad
Católica del Ecuador in the Ecuadorian Serie B.[8] Having never left Argentina before, Galíndez was
offered a room by teammate Facundo Martínez on arrival.[9] He helped the club win promotion to the
Ecuadorian Serie A in his first season.[2]

On 6 March 2016, he saved two penalties in a game against L.D.U. Quito, securing a 1–1 draw for his
side.[10]

Universidad de Chile
Galíndez signed for Chilean side Universidad de Chile in January 2022 on a two-year deal with the club
having the option of a third.[11] He made his debut for the side in a 4–2 victory over Unión La Calera on 6
February 2022.[2] He made 14 appearances for the side before personal issues led him to request a
transfer. After FIFA rejected Chile's appeal against Ecuador's qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
over the fielding of an ineligible player, Galíndez claimed he was targeted by angry Chilean fans on
social media as an Ecuadorian international. This was the second complaint of harassment by fans made
by Galíndez following his transfer after his wife received abusive messages online.[12]

Aucas
Universidad received approaches from L.D.U. Quito,[12] but Galíndez instead chose to join rival
Ecuadorian side Aucas with the agreed fee being reported around $250,000.[13][14] He made his debut for
the club in a 2–0 victory over Orense on 9 July and was not on the losing side for the remainder of the
season over 13 matches.[2] He helped the side win the Ecuadorian Serie A for the first time in the club's
history,[15] defeating Barcelona 1–0 on aggregate in the final.[2] In the decisive second leg of the final,
Galíndez saved a penalty from Barcelona captain Damián Díaz to help his side to victory and end the
season with six consecutive clean sheets.[2][16]

International career
Born in Argentina, Galíndez became a nationalised Ecuadorian in February 2019,[10] a process which he
had originally started in 2016.[9] He was called up to the Ecuador national team for the first time by
manager Gustavo Alfaro in October 2020 as a replacement for Johan Padilla who tested positive for
COVID-19.[17] He was selected for the Ecuador squad for the 2021 Copa América[18] and made his
international debut on 23 June 2021 in a 2–2 draw with Peru in Ecuador's third group match.[19] He
played the remainder of his side's matches as they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by
Argentina.[20]
After going seven games without conceding a goal,[15] Galíndez was selected for the 2022 FIFA World
Cup[21] and was chosen as the starting goalkeeper in all three of his nation's matches, ahead of Alexander
Domínguez, as they were eliminated in the group stage.[2]

Galíndez was called up to the final 26-man Ecuador squad for the 2024 Copa América.[22]

Style of play
Galíndez has been described as a "complete goalkeeper", possessing quick reflexes but also being able to
play well with the ball at his feet.[10]

Personal life
Galíndez has a twin brother.[7]

Career statistics

International

As of 19 November 2024[23]

Appearances and goals by national team

and year
National team Year Apps Goals

2021 7 0

2022 8 0
Ecuador
2023 3 0

2024 7 0

Total 25 0

Honours
Universidad Católica

Ecuadorian Serie B: 2012

Aucas

Ecuadorian Serie A: 2022[2]

References
 1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – List of Players: Ecuador (ECU)" (https://fdp.fifa.org/assetsp
ublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf) (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 10. Archived (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20221218195301/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadL
ists-English.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022.
2. "Ecuador – H. Galíndez – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway" (http
s://us.soccerway.com/players/hernan-ismael-galindez/56569/). us.soccerway.com.
Retrieved 9 October 2020.
3. "Hernán Galíndez es el primer refuerzo" (https://cahuracan.com/noticias/hernan-galindez-es
-el-primer-refuerzo). Club Atlético Huracán. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
4. "A Messi le gané una bicicleta" (https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-internacional/galindez-messi-
bicicleta-rosario_0_H0F2vlOzy.html). Ole.com (in Spanish). 6 October 2020. Retrieved
1 December 2022.
5. "Hernán Galíndez, el portero de Ecuador que fue vecino de Messi y que le marcó el primer
gol de su vida" (https://www.eluniverso.com/deportes/futbol/hernan-galindez-el-portero-de-e
cuador-que-fue-vecino-de-messi-y-que-le-marco-el-primer-gol-de-su-vida-nota/). El
Universo. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
6. Fernández, José Tomás (9 February 2022). " "En mi primer torneo a los 5 años me hicieron
un solo gol y fue de Messi; éramos vecinos" " (https://chile.as.com/chile/2022/02/09/futbol/1
644436585_087679.html) (in Spanish). AS Chile. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
7. Larrea, Felipe (1 October 2021). "Hernán Galíndez, de ser amenazado de muerte a
referente en Ecuador" (https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/jugada/hernan-galindez-historia-uni
versidad-catolica-seleccion-ecuador/). Primicias (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 December 2022.
8. Muñoz, Patricio (12 December 2021). "La historia del cuestionado "paso" por el fútbol
chileno del probable nuevo arquero de la U" (https://www.encancha.cl/futbol-chileno/u-de-ch
ile/2021/12/12/la-historia-del-cuestionado-paso-por-el-futbol-chileno-del-probable-nuevo-arq
uero-de-la-136420.html). www.encancha.cl (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 July 2022.
9. Larrea, Felipe (1 October 2022). "Hernán Galíndez, de ser amenazado de muerte a
referente en Ecuador" (https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/jugada/hernan-galindez-historia-uni
versidad-catolica-seleccion-ecuador/). Primicias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 December 2022.
10. Larrea, Felipe (19 December 2022). "Los mejores ocho momentos de Hernán Galíndez en
Universidad Católica" (https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/jugada/eldeportequequeremos/mejo
res-momentos-hernan-galindez-ecuador-futbol/). Primicias. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
11. Larrea, Felipe (4 January 2022). "Hernán Galíndez es presentado como refuerzo de
Universidad de Chile" (https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/jugada/hernan-galindez-presentado
-refuerzo-universidad-chile/) (in Spanish). Pimicias. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
12. Parker, Matías (15 June 2022). "Galíndez quiere irse: el arquero ecuatoriano presiona a la
U acusando hostigamiento en redes sociales tras el fallo de la FIFA contra Chile" (https://ww
w.latercera.com/el-deportivo/noticia/galindez-quiere-irse-el-arquero-ecuatoriano-presiona-a-l
a-u-acusando-hostigamiento-en-redes-sociales-tras-el-fallo-de-la-fifa-contra-chile/LQJG42N
BQNC57P4OEFIE5PVKEM/) (in Spanish). Latercera. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
13. Parker, Matías; Fuentealba, Rodrigo (1 July 2022). "Hernán Galíndez logra su objetivo: el
arquero llega a un acuerdo para salir de la U" (https://www.latercera.com/el-deportivo/notici
a/hernan-galindez-logra-su-objetivo-el-arquero-llega-a-un-acuerdo-para-salir-de-la-u/BQ74
CB2LMZHYZBF6YWI4ZM6ZNY/) (in Spanish). Latercera. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
14. Oyanedel, Martín (4 July 2022). "Hernán Galíndez deja atrás a la U y es anunciado en el
Aucas de Ecuador" (https://www.radioagricultura.cl/deportes/2022/07/04/hernan-galindez-de
ja-atras-a-la-u-y-es-anunciado-en-el-aucas-de-ecuador/) (in Spanish). Radio Agricultura.
Retrieved 4 July 2022.
15. "Galíndez pidió perdón y se despidió de la Selección" (https://www.ole.com.ar/ecuador/la-tri/
hernan-galindez-se-despide-de-la-seleccion-pide-perdon_0_1JMKR3fCkR.html). Ole.com
(in Spanish). 30 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
16. "Galíndez: penal atajado, campeón y viaje con La Tri" (https://www.ole.com.ar/ecuador/la-tri/
hernan-galindez-aucas-quito-ligapro-final-campeon-barcelona-la-tri-viaje-espana_0_UUyhPj
JwjF.html). Ole.com (in Spanish). 14 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
17. "Gustavo Alfaro confirma la convocatoria de Hernán Galíndez en sustitución de Johan
Padilla, afectado por COVID-19" (https://www.eluniverso.com/deportes/2020/10/05/nota/800
3734/vivo-rueda-prensa-gustavo-alfaro-ecuador-argentina-eliminatorias/) (in Spanish). El
Universo. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
18. Ecuadorian Football Federation [@LaTri] (9 June 2021). "¡Y los convocados son! Estos son
los elegidos por el DT #GustavoAlfaro para encarar un desafío continental: la
@CopaAmerica" (https://x.com/LaTri/status/1402825519754797058) (Tweet) (in Spanish).
Retrieved 9 June 2021 – via Twitter.
19. "Ecuador v Peru game report" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/lineups?gameId=560505).
ESPN. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
20. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Hernán Galíndez" (https://www.national-football-teams.co
m/player/83044/Hernan_Galindez.html). national-football-teams.com. Retrieved
2 December 2022.
21. Ecuador national football team [@LaTri] (14 November 2022). "Aquí están los 26 jugadores
elegidos por el DT Gustavo Alfaro para jugar la Copa Mundial FIFA, estamos listos para
hacer historia" (https://x.com/LaTri/status/1592288685797494784) [Here are the 26 players
chosen by head coach Gustavo Alfaro to play the FIFA World Cup, we are ready to make
history.] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 November 2022 – via Twitter.
22. "Ecuador presenta lista oficial para la Copa América: Gonzalo Plata y Robert Arboleda
quedaron relegados" (https://www.eluniverso.com/deportes/futbol/ecuador-presenta-lista-ofi
cial-para-la-copa-america-gonzalo-plata-y-robert-arboleda-quedaron-relegados-nota/)
[Ecuador presents official roster for Copa America: Gonzalo Plata and Robert Arboleda left
off the list] (in Spanish). El Universo. 29 May 2024.
23. Hernán Galíndez (https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/83044.html) at National-
Football-Teams.com

External links
Hernán Galíndez (https://www.bdfa.com.ar/jugadores-HERNAN-ISMAEL-GALINDEZ-65824.
html) at BDFA (in Spanish)
Hernán Galíndez (https://int.soccerway.com/players/hernan-ismael-galindez/56569/) at
Soccerway

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