PROFILE

Born in Salamanca and raised in Zaragoza, Álvaro started playing football in his school days. With only 12 years, he joins for Real Zaragoza inferior categories until season 2001/2002 where he signed for Real Madrid’s Youth team.

In 2006, after living up to the 2nd division with Real Madrid Castilla (it was 14 years in 2nd division B), and having played several matches with the first team, he left behind the team and signed for Deportivo de la Coruña for 1.3 million €, becoming the only player who plays all first half season matches. In 2007, only 6 months after this sign for the white-and-blue team he left Riazor for Liverpool FC for € 4 million, debuting in the Premier league on February 10th against Newcastle and in the Champions League (February 21) against FC Barcelona.

In 2008, February 1st, was first-time called by the Spanish Selection, however, ultimately he didn’t enter into the call coach, Luis Aragonés, for suffering a abdominal muscular tear. At second call for the next match, a friendly with Italy, disputed on March 26, he could debut. He’s one of the members of Selección Española who won Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

His natural position is right side but he can play both central (and he did for years in the Castilla and Deportivo) and left.

Position:

Left-Winger and Central Midfielder

Actual team:

Real Madrid

Previous teams:

Real Madrid, Deportivo de la Coruña, Real Zaragoza, Liverpool F.C.

Birthday:

17/01/1983

Birthplace:

Salamanca, España

Height:

1,84 m.

Weight:

78 kg