Cristian Álvarez (footballer, born 1985)
Álvarez in action for Espanyol in 2009 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Cristian Darío Álvarez Azad | ||
Date of birth | 13 November 1985 | ||
Place of birth | General Lagos, Argentina | ||
Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Zaragoza | ||
Number | 1 | ||
Youth career | |||
2001–2005 | Rosario Central | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2008 | Rosario Central | 62 | (0) |
2008–2013 | Espanyol | 55 | (0) |
2013–2016 | San Lorenzo | 10 | (0) |
2014–2015 | → Rayo Vallecano (loan) | 17 | (0) |
2015–2016 | → Cerro Porteño (loan) | 22 | (0) |
2017– | Real Zaragoza | 90 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 November 2019 |
Cristian Darío Álvarez Azad (born 13 November 1985) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Zaragoza as a goalkeeper.
Club career
Born in General Lagos, Santa Fe, Álvarez came through the youth ranks at hometown club Rosario Central, making his first-team debut in a Copa Libertadores game against Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño on 23 February 2006, a 0–2 home loss. He went on to fully establish himself as first-choice, playing two seasons in the Primera División.
In late May 2008, Álvarez joined Spanish team RCD Espanyol, signing a five-year contract.[1] He spent most of his spell with the Catalans restricted to Copa del Rey matches, being barred in La Liga by Cameroonian Carlos Kameni: his longest run in the latter competition came during the 2009–10 season as the starter had been selected to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and he played four matches, conceding as many goals in two wins, one draw and one loss.[2]
Álvarez was promoted to first-choice for the start of the 2011–12 campaign by manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Kameni also still in Espanyol's roster.[3]
Honours
San Lorenzo
References
- ^ Cristian Álvarez: "No me considero un suplente" (Cristian Álvarez: "I don't see myself as a backup"); Marca, 27 May 2008 (in Spanish)
- ^ Kameni vuelve al once y Tamudo sigue fuera (Kameni returns to the XI and Tamudo is still out); Diario AS, 4 February 2010 (in Spanish)
- ^ Kameni: De titular a ni ser suplente (Kameni: From starter to not even a backup); Mundo Deportivo, 11 January 2012 (in Spanish)
External links
- Cristian Álvarez at BDFA (in Spanish)
- Argentine League statistics (in Spanish)
- Cristian Álvarez at BDFutbol
- Cristian Álvarez at Soccerway
- 1985 births
- Living people
- People from Rosario Department
- Argentine people of Spanish descent
- Argentine footballers
- Association football goalkeepers
- Argentine Primera División players
- Rosario Central footballers
- San Lorenzo footballers
- La Liga players
- Segunda División players
- RCD Espanyol footballers
- Rayo Vallecano players
- Real Zaragoza players
- Paraguayan Primera División players
- Cerro Porteño players
- Argentine expatriate footballers
- Expatriate footballers in Spain
- Expatriate footballers in Paraguay
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Paraguay