Matías Lequi

Matías Emanuel Lequi (born 13 May 1981) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career
Born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Lequi started his career with hometown side Rosario Central, then signed for Club Atlético River Plate where he won two consecutive Clausura titles. In 2003 he moved abroad, joining Atlético Madrid, making his La Liga debut on 31 August in a 0–1 away loss against Sevilla FC and only missing four matches during the season as the Colchoneros eventually finished seventh and qualified for the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Subsequently, Lequi signed with Italy's S.S. Lazio, going pretty much unnoticed during his one season-spell. For 2005–06 he returned to Spain, being loaned to RC Celta de Vigo; as the Galicians finished in sixth position and reached the UEFA Cup straight from Segunda División, he was heavily featured, scoring against Real Madrid (2–1 home defeat) and former team Atlético (opening a 3–0 away win).

After extensive negotiations, the deal with Celta was made permanent in late May 2006, for four years. Lequi suffered relegation in the first season after his purchase and, with the club already in the second level, was sent off a total of four times in the league as they languished in 16th position; he was released in August 2008.

Lequi spent the following months training on his own. In the 2009 summer transfer window, he moved to Greek side Iraklis Thessaloniki FC. On 19 January 2011, the free agent returned to Spain and signed a five-month with UD Las Palmas of the second tier.

Honours
River Plate
 * Argentine Primera División: Clausura 2002, 2003