Gallego, who powered promoted Bucheon FC to their first K League 1 victory, has been named the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 1 Most Valuable Player.
The Korea Professional Football League announced on the 4th that Gallego was selected as the Round 1 MVP after recording 2 goals and 1 assist in Bucheon's 3-2 comeback victory over Jeonbuk at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 1st.
Gallego scored an equalizer in the 26th minute of the first half, then assisted Montaño's tying goal in the 38th minute of the second half. He calmly converted a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time to secure Bucheon's first K League 1 win.
The match between Jeonbuk and Bucheon was also named the Round 1 Best Match. Defending champions Jeonbuk took control with consecutive goals from Lee Dong-jun in the 13th minute of the first half and 9th minute of the second half.
However, Bucheon mounted a comeback with Gallego's goal in the 26th minute of the first half and Montaño's equalizer in the 38th minute of the second half. Gallego then converted a penalty won by Ahn Tae-hyun in stoppage time to complete the 3-2 comeback victory.
Bucheon was also named the Round 1 Best Team.
The K League 1 Round 1 Best XI comprises Gallego and Montaño (both Bucheon), Yago (Ulsan) as forwards; Song Min-gyu and Cho Young-wook (both Seoul), Bojanić (Ulsan), and Lee Dong-jun (Jeonbuk) as midfielders; Cho Hyun-taek and Choi Seok-hyun (both Ulsan) and Baek Dong-gyu (Bucheon) as defenders; and Kim Jung-hoon (Anyang) as goalkeeper.
Suwan FC's Prizo claimed the K League 2 Round 1 MVP after recording 2 goals and 1 assist in his team's 4-1 victory over Chungbuk Cheongju at Cheongju Stadium on the 1st.