Cristian Álvarez (footballer, born 1985)

Cristian Darío Álvarez Azad (born 13 November 1985) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Segunda División club Real Zaragoza as a goalkeeper.

For other people named Cristian Álvarez, see Cristian Álvarez (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Álvarez and the second or maternal family name is Azad.
Cristian Álvarez
Álvarez in action for Espanyol in 2009
Personal information
Full name Cristian Darío Álvarez Azad[1]
Date of birth (1985-11-13) 13 November 1985[1]
Place of birth General Lagos, Argentina
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
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– Zaragoza 222 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:53, 13 September 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Rosario Central

Born in General Lagos, Santa Fe Province, 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 defeat.[2] He went on to fully establish himself as first choice, playing two seasons in the Primera División.[3]

Espanyol

In late May 2008, Álvarez joined Spanish team RCD Espanyol, signing a five-year contract.[4] 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 made four appearances, conceding as many goals in two wins, one draw and one loss.[5]

Álvarez was promoted to first choice for the start of the 2011–12 campaign by manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Kameni also still in the roster.[6]

San Lorenzo

On 7 July 2013, Álvarez joined San Lorenzo de Almagro on a three-year deal.[7] Initially a starter, he suffered an injury and eventually lost his place to Sebastián Torrico, contributing only three games as his team won the Torneo Inicial.[8][9]

Álvarez was also an unused substitute in the club's victorious run in the 2014 Copa Libertadores.[10][11] He returned to Spain and its top division for 2014–15, being loaned to Rayo Vallecano.[12]

In August 2015, still owned by San Lorenzo, Álvarez moved to Cerro Porteño of the Paraguayan Primera División.[13]

Zaragoza

On 3 August 2017, Álvarez agreed to a one-year contract at Real Zaragoza, with an option to extend for two more years.[14] The following February, after playing a required number of games, this was made effective.[15]

Álvarez put pen to paper to a further extension on 20 August 2020, until 2023.[16] On 30 April 2021, he headed home from a free kick in the 97th minute of the 2–2 Segunda División away draw with CD Lugo.[17]

Honours

San Lorenzo

References
  1. "Cristian Álvarez". Diario AS. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  2. "Central cayó 2 a 0 ante Cerro Porteño de Paraguay" [Central fell 2 to 0 against Paraguay's Cerro Porteño] (in Spanish). Canal 26. 23 February 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  3. Marzo, Daniel (4 March 2020). "Rosario Central 2007: la confluencia del pasado y futuro del Real Zaragoza" [Rosario Central 2007: Real Zaragoza past and future meet] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  4. "Cristian Álvarez: "No me considero un suplente"" [Cristian Álvarez: "I don't see myself as a backup"]. Marca (in Spanish). 27 May 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2008.
  5. Molero, Iván (4 February 2010). "Kameni vuelve al once y Tamudo sigue fuera" [Kameni returns to the XI and Tamudo is still out]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  6. Román, Rogelio (11 January 2012). "Kameni: De titular a ni ser suplente" [Kameni: From starter to not even a backup]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  7. "Cristian Álvarez, nuevo jugador de San Lorenzo de Almagro" [Cristian Álvarez, new player of San Lorenzo de Almagro]. Marca (in Spanish). 7 July 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  8. "Sebastián Torrico regresa al arco por la lesión de Alvarez" [Sebastián Torrico returns to goal due to Alvarez injury] (in Spanish). Télam. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  9. Pernigotti, Bruno (26 April 2021). "Ocho años para la eternidad" [Eight years to eternity] (in Spanish). San Lorenzo Primero. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  10. Angel, Santiago (5 August 2014). "Resultado Nacional de Paraguay – San Lorenzo de Almagro por la Copa Libertadores 2014 (1–1)" [Nacional de Paraguay – San Lorenzo de Almagro result for the 2014 Libertadores Cup (1–1)] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  11. "San Lorenzo, time do papa, vence 1ª Libertadores após 106 anos de vida" [San Lorenzo, the pope's team, win 1st Libertadores after 106 years of existence] (in Portuguese). Universo Online. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  12. "El Rayo remata el fichaje del meta Cristian Álvarez" [Rayo complete signing of goalkeeper Cristian Álvarez]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 22 July 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  13. "El arco de Cerro Porteño tiene nombre y apellido: Cristian Álvarez" [Goal at Cerro Porteño has a name and a surname: Cristian Álvarez] (in Spanish). D10. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  14. "Cristian Álvarez ficha por el Zaragoza por una temporada" [Cristian Álvarez signs with Zaragoza for one season]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 3 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  15. Ferrer, Pedro Luis (19 February 2018). "Cristian Álvarez renueva en su mejor momento" [Cristian Álvarez renews in his best moment]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  16. Ortiz, Christian (20 August 2020). "Cristian Álvarez renueva hasta el 2023 con el Zaragoza" [Cristian Álvarez renews until 2023 with Zaragoza]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  17. "El resumen del Lugo vs. Zaragoza de la Segunda División 2020–2021: vídeo, goles y estadísticas" [Highlights from Lugo vs. Zaragoza of the 2020–2021 Segunda División: video, goals and statistics] (in Spanish). Goal. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
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