Antolín Alcaraz

Antolín Alcaraz Viveros (born 30 July 1982) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Olimpia.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Alcaraz and the second or maternal family name is Viveros.

Antolín Alcaraz
Alcaraz with Everton in 2014
Personal information
Full name Antolín Alcaraz Viveros[1]
Date of birth (1982-07-30) 30 July 1982[1]
Place of birth San Roque González, Paraguay[1]
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Olimpia
Number 21
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 Teniente Fariña
2001–2002 Racing Club 0 (0)
2002 → Fiorentina (loan) 0 (0)
2003–2007 Beira-Mar 112 (5)
2007–2010 Club Brugge 68 (5)
2010–2013 Wigan Athletic 69 (3)
2013–2015 Everton 14 (0)
2015–2016 Las Palmas 6 (1)
2016–2018 Libertad 74 (2)
2019– Olimpia 65 (6)
International career
2008–2012 Paraguay 23 (2)
Medal record
Representing  Paraguay
Copa América
Runner-up2011 ArgentinaTeam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:29, 28 February 2022 (UTC)

He rarely settled with a team in his early career, before signing in 2003 with Beira-Mar and remaining with the club five seasons, after which he joined Club Brugge. He then spent five years in the Premier League, in service of Wigan Athletic and Everton; after one year in Spain with Las Palmas, he returned to his country.

Alcaraz represented Paraguay at the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Copa América, helping them to the final of the later tournament.

Club career

Early years and Beira-Mar

Hailing from a humble background, Alcaraz worked throughout his teenage years as a builder's assistant in his hometown of San Roque González de Santa Cruz in the Paraguarí Department. He started his career at Club Teniente Fariña in the city of Ñemby, but he did not have the intention of one day playing professional football.[3]

Whilst Alcaraz was working as a builder at the age of 18, he met scout and football agent Carlos Bruni who took him to Argentina's Racing Club de Avellaneda. He appeared rarely during his spell.[3]

Alcaraz was loaned to ACF Fiorentina in 2002, but the Italians soon faced bankruptcy and regrouped in the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione. He then had a trial at U.S. Città di Palermo,[4] but nothing came of it.

In January 2003, Alcaraz signed for Portuguese club S.C. Beira-Mar.[5] After seven appearances in half a season, he became a defensive mainstay at the Aveiro side. In 2005–06 he helped them return to the Primeira Liga, playing 31 matches.[6]

Brugge

Alcaraz joined Club Brugge KV in Belgium on 30 April 2007, with the deal being effective as of July.[7]

After a slow first season he also eventually became first choice, helping his team to two third-places and one second.

Wigan Athletic
Álcaraz training with Wigan in 2011

On 14 May 2010, Alcaraz signed with Wigan Athletic on a free transfer for an undisclosed fee,[8][9] as his contract with Brugge was due to expire at the end of June;[10] his new manager, Roberto Martínez, stated that the player was in "the best form of his career" at that point.[11][12] He scored his first goal for the club against Sunderland on 11 September 2010, netting in the 86th minute for a 1–1 home draw.[13]

Alcaraz caused widespread controversy on 6 November 2011, when replays showed him spitting at Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Richard Stearman during a 3–1 defeat at Molineux Stadium.[14] He was handed a three-game suspension due to his actions,[15] but later issued an apology.[16]

On 7 May 2012, Alcaraz scored the game's only goal at Blackburn Rovers to retain the Latics' top-division safety, whilst relegating their opponent to the Football League Championship.[17] He won the 2013 FA Cup, featuring the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 upset of Manchester City.[18] However, only three days later, with him on the pitch again, Wigan were relegated from the top division following a 1–4 away loss to Arsenal.[19]

Everton
Álcaraz in action during the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League

On 9 July 2013, after becoming a free agent,[20] Alcaraz moved to Everton on a two-year deal as both he and goalkeeper Joel Robles followed coach Martínez to the club.[21] He made his competitive debut on 29 December after an injury struck his start to the season, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 home win over Southampton.[22]

On 26 April 2014, Alcaraz scored an own goal in the first minute of a 0–2 loss to Southampton.[23] On 1 January of the following year, he received his first sending off as an Everton player, being shown two yellow cards in a 0–2 away defeat against Hull City which was the team's fourth successive of the festive period.[24]

On 10 June 2015, Alcaraz was released.[25]

Las Palmas

On 2 August 2015, aged nearly 33, Alcaraz signed a one-year contract with newly promoted La Liga side UD Las Palmas with the option of a second one.[26] He scored his first goal on 23 September, helping best Sevilla FC 2–0 at home.[27]

During his spell at the Estadio Gran Canaria, Alcaraz made only seven competitive appearances due to injury. On 29 January 2016, he left by mutual consent.[28]

Return home

In February 2016, Alcaraz agreed to a deal at Club Libertad.[29] He made his Paraguayan Primera División debut the following month at the age of 33, in a 2–1 home victory against Cerro Porteño.

On 2 January 2019, Alcaraz signed with Club Olimpia of the same league.[30] In his debut campaign, he was part of the squad that won the national championship.[31][32]

International career

In November 2008, Alcaraz received his first call-up to the Paraguay national team at the age of 26.[33] He was picked for the squad present at the 2010 FIFA World Cup; on 14 June, in the group stage opener against Italy, in just his seventh cap, he headed home through a powerful header following a set piece in an eventual 1–1 draw in Cape Town,[34] and went on to play all the matches (save one due to suspension) and minutes for the quarter-finalists.[35]

Alcaraz was again first choice for Paraguay during the 2011 Copa América, held in Argentina. On 13 July, he scored the 1–1 equaliser against Venezuela in an eventual 3–3 group stage draw.[36] Four days later, in the quarter-finals with Brazil, he was sent off after an altercation with Lucas Leiva,[37] and the national side finished runners-up.[38]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 19 March 2015[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Beira-Mar 2002–03 Primeira Liga 0000000000
2003–04 2000000020
2004–05 241000000241
2005–06 Segunda Liga 290000000290
2006–07 Primeira Liga 263000000263
Total 814000000814
Club Brugge 2007–08 Belgian Pro League 101000000100
2008–09 293306100383
2009–10 2910011000401
Total 6853017100884
Wigan Athletic 2010–11 Premier League 341400000381
2011–12 252000000252
2012–13 100400000140
Total 693800000773
Everton 2013–14 Premier League 6010000070
2014–15 80105000140
Total 140205000210
Career total 231121302210025613
Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Alcaraz goal.
List of international goals scored by Antolín Alcaraz
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 June 2010Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa Italy1–01–12010 FIFA World Cup[34]
2.13 July 2011Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta, Argentina Venezuela1–13–32011 Copa América[36]

Honours

Club

Beira-Mar

Wigan Athletic

Libertad

Olimpia

International

Paraguay

References
  1. "A. Alcaraz" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  2. "Player profile: Antolín Alcaraz". Premier League. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  3. Cristaldo, Didier (17 December 2010). "La vida de Antolín Alcaraz" [The life of Antolín Alcaraz]. ABC Color (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  4. Manduzio, Massimo; Cirici, Franco; Leone, Valter (15 August 2002). "Il Palermo fatica, ma Glerean non-si preoccupa" [Palermo get tired, but Glerean is not worried]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  5. Lopes, Norberto A. (23 January 2003). "Beira Mar: Alcaraz, a antítese de Gamarra" [Beira Mar: Alcaraz, the antithesis of Gamarra] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  6. "Beira-Mar sobe à Liga" [Beira-Mar promote to League]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 24 April 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  7. "Club Brugge capture Alcaraz". UEFA. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  8. "Wigan sign Paraguay defender Alcaraz". ESPN Soccernet. 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  9. Hytner, David (15 June 2010). "Reigning champs Italy held by Paraguay". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  10. "Antolin Alcaraz ruilt Club Brugge voor Engelse Wigan" [Antolin Alcaraz exchanges Club Brugge for England's Wigan]. Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 14 May 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  11. "Antolín Alcaraz, nuevo jugador del Wigan" [Antolín Alcaraz, new Wigan player]. Marca (in Spanish). 14 May 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  12. "Antolín Alcaraz va a la Premier League" [Antolín Alcaraz goes to the Premier League]. Última Hora (in Spanish). 15 May 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  13. "Alcaraz grabs point as Cattermole sees red". ESPN Soccernet. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  14. "Alcaraz accused of spitting". ESPN Soccernet. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  15. "Antolin Alcaraz banned after accepting spitting charge". BBC Sport. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  16. "Antolin Alcaraz apologises for spitting on Richard Stearman". BBC Sport. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  17. Dawkes, Phil (7 May 2012). "Blackburn 0–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  18. McNulty, Phil (11 May 2013). "FA Cup final: Manchester City 0–1 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  19. McKenna, Chris (14 May 2013). "Arsenal 4–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  20. "Player exits confirmed". Wigan Athletic F.C. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  21. "Antolin Alcaraz and Joel Robles rejoin Martinez at Everton". BBC Sport. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  22. Hassan, Nabil (29 December 2013). "Everton 2–1 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  23. Phillips, Owen (26 April 2014). "Southampton 2–0 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  24. McMath, James (1 January 2015). "Hull City 2 Everton 0, match report: Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic pile on misery for Roberto Martinez". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  25. Bennett, Charlie (10 June 2015). "Everton release Sylvain Distin, Antolin Alcaraz". Sports Mole. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  26. "El central paraguayo Alcaraz llega a la UD procedente del Everton" [Paraguayan stopper Alcaraz arrives at the UD from Everton] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 2 August 2015. Archived from the original on 5 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  27. Félix, Diego (23 September 2015). "Roque Mesa y Alcaraz agravan la crisis del colista Sevilla" [Roque Mesa and Alcaraz worsen crisis of bottom-placed Sevilla]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  28. "El paraguayo Antolín Alcaraz dice adiós a Las Palmas con escaso protagonismo" [Paraguayan Antolín Alcaraz bids farewell to Las Palmas with little protagonism]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 29 January 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  29. "Alcaraz llega y "Manolo" se va" [Alcaraz arrives and “Manolo” leaves]. ABC Color (in Spanish). 16 February 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  30. "El uruguayo Silva es el sexto fichaje de Olimpia" [Uruguay's Silva is Olimpia's sixth signing] (in Spanish). Agencia de Información Paraguaya. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  31. "Olimpia, por gritar campeón invicto en Para Uno" [Olimpia, let's shout undefeated champions at Para Uno] (in Spanish). D10. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  32. "Se despidió con un triunfo" [Farewell with a win] (in Spanish). Paraguayan Football Association. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  33. "¿Lo conocías?" [Did you know him?] (in Spanish). Teledeportes Digital. 5 November 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  34. Bevan, Chris (14 June 2010). "Italy 1–1 Paraguay". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  35. López, Pablo (1 July 2010). "Memorias de Sudáfrica. Mundial. Día 24" [Memories from South Africa. World Cup. Day 24]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  36. "Nicolás Fedor and Grenddy Perozo seal stunning Venezuela comeback". The Guardian. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  37. Sturtridge, Tim; Pérez, Alejandro (20 July 2011). "Paraguay and Venezuela in battle for Copa America final place". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  38. "Diego Forlan leads Uruguay to Copa America victory". BBC Sport. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  39. "A. Alcáraz". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  40. "Libertad sufre pero alcanza la gloria en el Apertura 2016" [Libertad suffer but reach glory in Apertura 2016] (in Spanish). D10. 21 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  41. "El español Fernando Jubero hace campeón a Libertad en Paraguay" [Spaniard Fernando Jubero makes Libertad champions in Paraguay]. Marca (in Spanish). 25 June 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
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