Diego Alves

Diego Alves Carreira (born 24 June 1985), known as Diego Alves, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Alves and the second or paternal family name is Carreira.

Diego Alves
Alves warming up with Flamengo in 2018
Personal information
Full name Diego Alves Carreira[1]
Date of birth (1985-06-24) 24 June 1985
Place of birth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
2001–2003 Botafogo-SP
2004 Atlético Mineiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Atlético Mineiro 54 (0)
2007–2011 Almería 123 (0)
2011–2017 Valencia 146 (0)
2017–2023 Flamengo 151 (0)
2023 Celta 0 (0)
International career‡
2008 Brazil U23 2 (0)
2011–2017 Brazil 10 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Men's Football
Bronze medal – third place2008 BeijingTeam Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:58, 8 February 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 June 2017

Having begun his career at Atlético Mineiro in Brazil, he spent most of it in Spain with Almería and Valencia, making 269 La Liga appearances during the decade he played in Spain, during which time he stopped a record 23 penalty kicks.[3] In 2017 he returend to Brazil, and won several honours with Flamengo, including the Copa Libertadores in 2019.

Alves was part of the Brazilian squad which won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, and made his senior international debut in 2011. He represented the latter at the Copa América Centenario.

Club career

Atlético Mineiro / Almería

Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro. Having started professionally at Clube Atlético Mineiro, he moved to UD Almería on 24 July 2007, as the Andalusians had just achieved a first ever promotion to La Liga. Initially the backup to another newly signed, David Cobeño, he eventually became the undisputed starter, helping the club overachieve for a final eighth place in the league with notable performances against, among others, Real Madrid.[4]

After Cobeño left for Rayo Vallecano in August 2008, Alves remained first-choice during 2008–09, but suffered an injury in the final stretch of the season. Fully recovered for the start of the following campaign, he played in all the matches (safe for 30 minutes against Valencia CF, after he had been sent off, and the last round against Sevilla FC as Almería were already saved from relegation); in April 2010, his agent stated a move away from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos was being considered.[5][6]

On 20 November 2010, Alves was in goal as Almería lost 8–0 at home to FC Barcelona, a defeat which cost manager Juan Manuel Lillo his post.[7] In mid-May 2011, after his team's top-flight relegation, Valencia chairman Manuel Llorente confirmed the signing of the player.[8]

Valencia
Alves as a Valencia player in 2011.

Alves made his official debut for Valencia on 13 September 2011, in a 0–0 away draw against K.R.C. Genk in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.[9] He backed-up Vicente Guaita in the league, however, until Guaita picked up a serious hand injury.[10][11]

Alves also appeared in the second Champions League group stage match, at home to Chelsea, where he had a series of superb saves, including a string of three in two minutes – two-point-blank against Ramires and Fernando Torres, and a third when Valencia man Víctor Ruiz accidentally diverted the ensuing corner towards his own goal – in an eventual 1–1 draw.[12]

In July 2014, Alves signed a new five-year deal to run until 2019.[13] In the last game of the season, that also marked his 100th league appearance for the club, away against former side Almería, he tore his cruciate ligament in the 72nd minute, later undergoing surgery and being sidelined until November.[14]

Flamengo

On 17 July 2017, ten years after leaving for Europe, Alves joined Clube de Regatas do Flamengo until 2020.[15][16] On 23 November 2017, in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana against Atlético Junior at the Maracanã Stadium, he suffered a broken collar bone after being hit by Yony González;[17] he underwent surgery two days later, being expected to return in two months.[18] With this injury Alves was an important absentee in the 2017 Copa Sudamericana Finals.

Alves played 62 games for Flamengo in 2019,[19] as they won the Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Copa Libertadores.[20] In the national championship, he made the Bola da Prata for the team of the tournament.[21]

In 2020, Alves played less than half the games. He was infected with COVID-19 at the start of the year, and also suffered a 20-game shoulder injury against Santos FC. The youngster Hugo Souza emerged in his absence.[19] Diego Alves situation got even worse when Flamengo board decided to hire a new goalkeeper: Santos. Which was on the Athetico.[22]

Celta

On 8 February 2023, Alves returned to Spain when he joined RC Celta de Vigo on a free transfer.[23] He terminated his contract on 15 April, after failing to play a single minute for the club.[24]

International career
Alves lining up for Brazil in 2014.

Alves was chosen to represent Brazil at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, as backup to Renan. He did not receive any playing time during the competition, as the national team went on to win a bronze medal.

Alves made his debut for the full side on 10 November 2011, in a 2–0 friendly win with Gabon.[25] He also played four days later, against Egypt (same score).[26]

Alves was selected by coach Dunga for the 2015 Copa América in Chile, but withdrew due to a knee injury to be replaced by Neto.[27] On 5 May 2016, he was named to a 23-man squad for the Copa América Centenario.[28]

Style of play

Alves made his 15th penalty save against Sevilla FC on 25 January 2015, which took his record to 42.85% of all attempts faced.[29] Widely regarded as a specialist in the matter, he once stated that a penalty is "a psychological battle between the goalkeeper and the taker".[30]

On 9 May 2015, after denying Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Alves became the goalkeeper with the most penalty saves in the history of the Spanish top flight with 16 out of 37, equalling Andoni Zubizarreta who saved 16 from 102.[31] He surpassed the latter on 25 September 2016 during a 2–1 away win over CD Leganés,[32] following it up with two saves the next weekend – including a spectacular block from an Antoine Griezmann shot – albeit in a 0–2 home loss to Atlético Madrid;[33] upon his departure from Valencia in 2017, he had saved 23 spot kicks.[3]

Career statistics

Club
As of 13 November 2022.[34][35]
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atlético Mineiro 2005 Série A 102[lower-alpha 1]000——30
2006 Série B 2400000——240
2007 Série A 13014[lower-alpha 1]070——340
Total 38016070——610
Almería 2007–08 La Liga 220—00——220
2008–09 310—00——310
2009–10 370—00——370
2010–11 330—00——330
Total 1230—00——1230
Valencia 2011–12 La Liga 120—6012[lower-alpha 2]0—300
2012–13 240—102[lower-alpha 3]0—270
2013–14 270—107[lower-alpha 4]0—350
2014–15 370—00——370
2015–16 130—0000—130
2016–17 330—00——330
Total 1460—80210—1750
Flamengo 2017 Série A 190——5[lower-alpha 5]0—240
2018 2307[lower-alpha 6]0608[lower-alpha 7]0—440
2019 32012[lower-alpha 6]04012[lower-alpha 7]02[lower-alpha 8]0620
2020 10010[lower-alpha 6]0204[lower-alpha 7]03[lower-alpha 9]0290
2021 2605[lower-alpha 6]06011[lower-alpha 7]01[lower-alpha 10]0490
2022 502[lower-alpha 6]010000080
Total 1150360190400602160
Career totals 4220520340610605750
  1. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro.
  2. Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League.
  3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League.
  4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League.
  5. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana.
  6. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Carioca.
  7. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores.
  8. Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup.
  9. Two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil.
  10. Appearance(s) in Supercopa do Brasil.

International
As of 13 June 2017.
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil 2011 20
2012 50
2014 20
2017 10
Career total 100

Honours

Atlético Mineiro

Flamengo

Brazil

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: CR Flamengo" (PDF). FIFA. 5 December 2019. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2019.
  2. "Diego Alves". Valencia CF. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  3. "Official: Diego Alves leaves Valencia". Football España. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  4. Turner, Lucy (4 February 2008). "Almería take pride after Madrid fall". UEFA. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  5. Fryer, Rupert (22 April 2010). "Diego Alves open to move away from Almeria – Agent". Goal. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  6. Scime, Adam (22 April 2010). "AC Milan tracking Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves". Goal. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  7. "Barcelona net away record". ESPN Soccernet. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  8. "Manuel Llorente confirma el fichaje de Diego Alves" [Manuel Llorente confirms signing of Diego Alves]. Super Deporte (in Spanish). 19 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  9. "Genk and Valencia draw a blank". UEFA. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  10. Rodríguez, D.; Calabuig, P. (21 December 2011). "La mano vuelve a frenar a Guaita" [Hand stops Guaita again]. Super Deporte (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  11. Picó, Diego; Puig, D. (4 January 2012). "Guaita sólo para emergencias" [Guaita for emergences only]. Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  12. "Soldado spot kick salvages Valencia draw". UEFA. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  13. "Valencia keeper Alves signs new deal". ESPN FC. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  14. "Diego Alves tears knee ligament". Inside Spanish Football. 10 May 2015. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  15. "Mais um: "ao vivo", Diego Alves se apresenta como novo goleiro do Flamengo" [Another one: "live", Diego Alves presented as new goalkeeper of Flamengo] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  16. "Diego Alves é do Flamengo" [Diego Alves belongs to Flamengo] (in Portuguese). CR Flamengo. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  17. "Flamengo goalkeeper Alves suffers season-ending injury". Xinhua News Agency. 25 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  18. "Flamengo: Cirurgia de Diego Alves é bem-sucedida e retorno deve levar dois meses" [Flamengo: Diego Alves surgery went well and he should return in two months]. O Dia (in Portuguese). 25 November 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  19. "Em 2019, Diego Alves fez 62 partidas pelo Flamengo. Em 2020, apenas 28" [In 2019, Diego Alves made 62 appearances for Flamengo. In 2020, just 28] (in Portuguese). Fla Resenha. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  20. "Flamengo tem 2019 mágico com títulos Carioca, Brasileiro e Continental" [Flamengo have a magical 2019 with Carioca, Brasileiro and Continental titles] (in Portuguese). Agncia Brasil. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  21. "Bola de Prata: veja como ficou a seleção do Campeonato Brasileiro 2019" [Silver Ball: check out 2019 Brazilian Championship all-star team] (in Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  22. "Diego Alves, do Flamengo, demonstra insatisfação com chegada de novo goleiro". Gávea News (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  23. "DIEGO ALVES, NUEVO REFUERZO PARA LA PORTERÍA DEL RC CELTA" [DIEGO ALVES, NEW REINFORCEMENT FOR THE RC CELTA GOAL]. rccelta.es (in Spanish). 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  24. "El RC Celta y Diego Alves acuerdan la desvinculación del portero brasileño" [RC Celta and Diego Alves agree the release of the Brazilian goalkeeper] (in Spanish). RC Celta Vigo. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  25. "Gabon 0–2 Brazil: Sandro and Hernanes lead Selecao to success in Libreville". Goal. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  26. "Egypt 0–2 Brazil: Jonas double ruins Bob Bradley's Pharaoh debut". Goal. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  27. "Diego Alves ruled out of Copa America with serious knee injury". beIN Sports. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  28. Lozetti, Alexandre; Schmidt, Felipe (5 May 2016). "Dunga convoca Seleção para a Copa América com 7 jogadores olímpicos" [Dunga calls up Seleção to the Copa América with seven Olympic players] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  29. "Diego Alves takes his penalty record to '15 saved from 35' after Sevilla win". Inside Spanish Football. 26 January 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  30. "Diego Alves, the penalty warrior". VCF Play. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  31. "Diego Alves hace historia al pararle el penalti a Cristiano Ronaldo" [Diego Alves makes history after saving Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty]. Sport (in Spanish). 9 May 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  32. "Atletico Madrid battle past Deportivo, Nani on target in Valencia victory". ESPN FC. 25 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  33. "Diego Alves saves two more penalties but Valencia lose to Atletico Madrid". ESPN FC. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  34. Diego Alves at ESPN FC
  35. "Diego Alves". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  36. Wagner, Roberto; Marchesini, Lucas (24 November 2019). "Flamengo campeão brasileiro 2019: confira o raio-x da campanha" [Flamengo 2019 Brazilian champions: check the campaign's x-ray] (in Portuguese). Metrópoles. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  37. "Supercopa: em jogo doido, Flamengo vence o Palmeiras nos pênaltis". One Football (in Portuguese). 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  38. Unwin, Will (23 November 2019). "Flamengo 2–1 River Plate: Copa Libertadores final – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  39. "Gabi Leads Flamengo To Libertadores Title". CONMEBOL Libertadores. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  40. Vickery, Tim (27 February 2020). "Flamengo's Recopa win over Independiente a stepping stone to more glory". ESPN. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  41. Huber, Fred; Baltar, Marcelo (22 November 2019). "Esse já é o melhor Flamengo após a geração de 81? Comentaristas, dirigentes e torcedores opinam" [Is this the best Flamengo after the 81 generation? Commentators, directors and fans have their say] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
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