Matías Palacios

Matías Damián Palacios (born 10 May 2002) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for UAE Pro League side Al Ain. He acquired Emirati citizenship in 2024.

Palacios began his career with San Lorenzo. He made his professional football debut on 21 September 2018, featuring for the final twenty-nine minutes of a 3–2 victory over Patronato at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain. Aged 16, it meant Palacios became the club's youngest ever player in Primera División history. He made five further appearances for the club, which included his one and only start on 10 January 2021 against Banfield.

On 15 February 2021, Palacios signed with Swiss Super League club Basel; penning a contract until 2025. He joined Basel's first team for their 2020–21 season under head coach Ciriaco Sforza. Palacios played his domestic league debut for his new club in the away game in the Kybunpark on 27 February as Basel were defeated 1–3 by St. Gallen. He scored his first goal for the club on 15 August 2021 in the Swiss Cup away game as Basel won 7–0 against amateur club FC Schönenwerd-Niedergösgen. He scored his first league goal for the club in the away game in the Swissporarena on 28 November as Basel won 3–1 against Luzern.

At the beginning of the next season Palacios left the club because he had only been used as a substitute. During his time with them, Palacios played a total of 62 games for Basel scoring a total of four goals. 31 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, three in the Swiss Cup, 12 in the Europa Conference League and 16 were friendly games. He scored one goal in the domestic league, two in the cup and the other was scored during the test games.

Palacios moved on to play for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.