CAREER

Álvaro Arbeloa is one of the best rated winger of Europe. At his 26 years, he has earned an international reputation based in regularity, quality and hard work. His 1′84 height makes this a very versatile player.

Álvaro was born in Salamanca on January 17, 1983. With only four years, he moved with his family to Zaragoza, a city which he grows and which is very related. Soon he highlights in the football’s world, allowing him to enter the Real Zaragoza’s quarry at 12 years old.

In 2001, Real Madrid knock his door. The white club offers him to join and Alvaro accepted. A life-changing experience for a boy of 18 years. With a lot of effort and time the bet on him was consolidating: he raises to Castilla team and in October 16th of 2004 he did his debut in the first team in an match with Betis. That same year he becomes strong in the subsidiary, who gain a position in Second Division after 14 years.

In the season 05-06, Arbeloa confirms the bet: 34 played games in Second Division, sharing bitter and sweet moments with players like Granero, De la Red or Negredo. This season makes several teams were interested in him. Deportivo de La Coruña wins, and pays 1.3 million euros to gain his services.

The 06-07 season is a real dream for Álvaro Arbeloa. Since first day he has an important place in Deportivo, having all disputed minutes of play in Christmas. By then, the money payed for him seems not enough for his quality. His spectacular performance in attack and defense called the attention of Liverpool, where he went in January for about four million euros.

Again, Álvaro Arbeloa showed their maturity and ability to adapt quickly to changes. On February 10th, 2007 he made his debut in the Premier League and since then has become a main player for Rafa Benitez, which puts him in one match against F.C. Barcelona who carried the ‘reds’ to the final of the Champions League . Arbeloa confirms his versatility and experience disputing playing the final of the Champions League, where his team lost to Milan.

In the 07-08 season is confirmed as one of the most loved players by ‘red’ fans ‘and it is speculated the call of the Spanish absolute. He was unable to attend his first meeting with Luis Aragonés for an injury, but finally, on March 26th 2008 he played with the absolute, in a friendly against Italy.

This summer Arbeloa hits the jackpot playing Eurocopa contest, becoming part of the Spanish team that won the tournament in Austria and Switzerland and gaining the praise of critics worldwide.

Season 08-09 serves to increase their level of credibility and his club and in Spanish Selection, with the dispute that a total of 29 matches, including his second goal in the Premiership. Arbeloa, participates with Spain in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, where Del Bosque, who renews the confidence that Luis Aragonés put in Álvaro, finishing in third position. He played three matches as winger confirming their classification for the next World Cup.

In the summer of 2009, he returns to his origins: the Real Madrid. Their versatility and maturity convince the new white coach. He signed for five seasons in Florentino Perez’s second time as president with other ‘cracks’ like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká or Benzema.