Alvaro Pereira
Encyclopedia
Álvaro Daniel Pereira Barragán (ˈalβaɾo peˈɾeiɾa; born 28 November 1985 in Montevideo
) is an Uruguay
an footballer who plays for Futebol Clube do Porto in Portugal
.
On the left side, he can play as either a defender or midfielder
.
in 2003, moving to Argentina
with Quilmes Atlético Club
two years later. After the club's relegation from the first division at the end of 2006–07, he signed with Argentinos Juniors
.
In the summer of 2008, Pereira signed with Romania
's CFR Cluj
, moving for €
2.5 million; he started in all the club's matches in their valiant UEFA Champions League
debut campaign.
acquiring 80% of the player's rights. In his first year, he mostly operated as a left back, as the northerners finished third and won
the domestic cup
. He scored his first goal for the club on 21 February 2010, grabbing the second goal in a 5–1 home thrashing of S.C. Braga.
In Pereira's second season at the Estádio do Dragão
, he featured in 21 league fixtures (all starts), adding 12 UEFA Europa League appearances as Porto won the treble. He also started in the campaign
's Portuguese Cup final
, against Vitória de Guimarães on 22 May 2011, scoring an own goal
in the 21st minute to bring the sides level, in an eventual 6–2 triumph.
After Porto rejected a deal from English
Premier League side Chelsea
in the summer for Pereira's services, he signed a new deal on 3 October 2011 to stay at the Estádio do Dragão
until 2016. His release clause was maintained at £
25.7 million.
against France
, on 19 November 2008, scoring in his next match, another friendly, now with Libya
, in Tripoli
(3–2 win).
He was an undisputed starter for the nation during the second half of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
, also starting in both legs of the successful playoffs against Costa Rica
, as the Charrúas returned to the FIFA World Cup
. In the finals in South Africa
, he played in all the matches except two, scoring through a rare header in a 3–0 group stage win against the hosts
.
Pereira was selected to the 2011 Copa América
in Argentina
, being first-choice and scoring two goals in the group stage, including the game's only against Mexico
, as Uruguay won its 15th continental tournament.
| 1. || 11 February 2009 || June 11 Stadium
, Tripoli
, Libya || || 2–3 || 2–3 || Friendly
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 2. || 27 May 2010 || Estadio Centenario
, Montevideo
, Uruguay || || 2–1 || 4–1 || Friendly
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 3. || 16 June 2010 || Loftus Versfeld Stadium
, Pretoria
, South Africa || || 0–3 || 0–3 || 2010 FIFA World Cup
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 4. || 9 July 2011 || Estadio Malvinas Argentinas
, Mendoza, Argentina || || 1–0 || 1–1 || 2011 Copa América
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 5. || 12 July 2011 || Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
, La Plata
, Argentina || || 1–0 || 1–0 || 2011 Copa América
|}
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
) is an Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an footballer who plays for Futebol Clube do Porto in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
On the left side, he can play as either a defender or midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Early years
Pereira started his career with Miramar MisionesMiramar Misiones
Club Sportivo Miramar Misiones, usually known simply as Miramar Misiones is an Uruguayan football club based in Montevideo. The club was formed from the merger of two clubs: Miramar and Misiones, in June 1980. As part of the merger, the new strip for the new club was a mixture of those of the...
in 2003, moving to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
with Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division....
two years later. After the club's relegation from the first division at the end of 2006–07, he signed with Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
.
In the summer of 2008, Pereira signed with Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
's CFR Cluj
CFR Cluj
CFR Cluj is a Romanian professional football club from the city of Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania. The club had spent most of their existence in the lower divisions, except for a spell in Divizia A in the 1970s, until they received significant financial backing from Árpád Pászkány in 2002...
, moving for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2.5 million; he started in all the club's matches in their valiant UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
debut campaign.
Porto
For €4.5 million, Pereira joined Futebol Clube do Porto in the summer of 2009, with the PortuguesePortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
acquiring 80% of the player's rights. In his first year, he mostly operated as a left back, as the northerners finished third and won
2009–10 Taça de Portugal
The 2009–10 Taça de Portugal was the 70th season of the Taça de Portugal. The competition began on 30 August 2009, with the first round matches, and concluded with the final, held on 16 May at the Estádio Nacional, in Oeiras, between defending champions Porto and then Liga de Honra team Chaves...
the domestic cup
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
. He scored his first goal for the club on 21 February 2010, grabbing the second goal in a 5–1 home thrashing of S.C. Braga.
In Pereira's second season at the Estádio do Dragão
Estádio do Dragão
The Estádio do Dragão is a football stadium located in Porto, Portugal, with an all-seated capacity of 50,399. Inaugurated on November 16, 2003, it is the current home ground of F.C. Porto, having replaced the club's old venue, the Estádio das Antas...
, he featured in 21 league fixtures (all starts), adding 12 UEFA Europa League appearances as Porto won the treble. He also started in the campaign
2010–11 Taça de Portugal
The 2010–11 Taça de Portugal, also known as Taça de Portugal Millennium for sponsorship reasons, is the 71st season of the Taça de Portugal. A total of 172 clubs from all four tiers of Portuguese football took part in this tournament...
's Portuguese Cup final
2011 Taça de Portugal Final
The 2011 Taça de Portugal Final was the final match of the 71st season of the Taça de Portugal, the main Portuguese football knockout competition. It was played at the Estádio Nacional, Oeiras, on 22 May 2011, and featured Vitória de Guimarães and 2010–11 Primeira Liga winners Porto...
, against Vitória de Guimarães on 22 May 2011, scoring an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
in the 21st minute to bring the sides level, in an eventual 6–2 triumph.
After Porto rejected a deal from English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Premier League side Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in the summer for Pereira's services, he signed a new deal on 3 October 2011 to stay at the Estádio do Dragão
Estádio do Dragão
The Estádio do Dragão is a football stadium located in Porto, Portugal, with an all-seated capacity of 50,399. Inaugurated on November 16, 2003, it is the current home ground of F.C. Porto, having replaced the club's old venue, the Estádio das Antas...
until 2016. His release clause was maintained at £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
25.7 million.
International career
Pereira made his debut for UruguayUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, on 19 November 2008, scoring in his next match, another friendly, now with Libya
Libya national football team
The Libya national football team is the national association football team of Libya and is controlled by the Libyan Football Federation. The team has never qualified for the senior FIFA World Cup. They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, one in 1982 where they finished runners-up and...
, in Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
(3–2 win).
He was an undisputed starter for the nation during the second half of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualifiers
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
, also starting in both legs of the successful playoffs against Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
, as the Charrúas returned to the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
. In the finals in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, he played in all the matches except two, scoring through a rare header in a 3–0 group stage win against the hosts
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
.
Pereira was selected to the 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, being first-choice and scoring two goals in the group stage, including the game's only against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
, as Uruguay won its 15th continental tournament.
International goals
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF| 1. || 11 February 2009 || June 11 Stadium
June 11 Stadium
June 11 Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripoli, Libya, and is one of the largest stadiums in Africa. The name of the stadium commemorates the day in which American forces were asked to relinquish their military base rights in Libya and leave the country. It is mostly used for football...
, Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, Libya || || 2–3 || 2–3 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 2. || 27 May 2010 || Estadio Centenario
Estadio Centenario
Estadio Centenario is a stadium in Parque Batlle, Montevideo, Uruguay, used primarily for football. The stadium was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup, as well as to commemorate the centennial of Uruguay's first constitution...
, Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, Uruguay || || 2–1 || 4–1 || Friendly
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 3. || 16 June 2010 || Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...
, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, South Africa || || 0–3 || 0–3 || 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 4. || 9 July 2011 || Estadio Malvinas Argentinas
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas
The Estadio Malvinas Argentinas is a stadium, in the city of Mendoza, Argentina, at General San Martín Park.It was built in 1976 in preparation for the 1978 World Cup...
, Mendoza, Argentina || || 1–0 || 1–1 || 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 5. || 12 July 2011 || Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
The Estadio Ciudad de La Plata is a multi-purpose stadium located in the city of La Plata, Argentina. It is also known popularly as the Estadio Único and is owned by the Province of Buenos Aires, administered jointly by the provincial government, the Municipality of La Plata, and the football clubs...
, La Plata
La Plata
La Plata is the capital city of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and of La Plata partido. According to the , the city proper has a population of 574,369 and its metropolitan area has 694,253 inhabitants....
, Argentina || || 1–0 || 1–0 || 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
|}
Club
- ClujCFR ClujCFR Cluj is a Romanian professional football club from the city of Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania. The club had spent most of their existence in the lower divisions, except for a spell in Divizia A in the 1970s, until they received significant financial backing from Árpád Pászkány in 2002...
:- Cupa României: 2008–09
- Porto:
- UEFA Europa League: 2010–11
- Primeira Liga: 2010–11
- Taça de PortugalTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 2009–102009–10 Taça de PortugalThe 2009–10 Taça de Portugal was the 70th season of the Taça de Portugal. The competition began on 30 August 2009, with the first round matches, and concluded with the final, held on 16 May at the Estádio Nacional, in Oeiras, between defending champions Porto and then Liga de Honra team Chaves...
, 2010–112010–11 Taça de PortugalThe 2010–11 Taça de Portugal, also known as Taça de Portugal Millennium for sponsorship reasons, is the 71st season of the Taça de Portugal. A total of 172 clubs from all four tiers of Portuguese football took part in this tournament... - Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2009, 20102010 Supertaça Cândido de OliveiraThe 2010 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira is the 32nd Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Portuguese Liga and Portuguese Cup competitions. Played at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro, on 7 August 2010, and contested by league...
, 20112011 Supertaça Cândido de OliveiraThe 2011 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira was the 33rd edition of the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, the annual Portuguese football season-opening match contested by the winners of the previous season's top league and cup competitions... - UEFA Super Cup: Runner-up 20112011 UEFA Super Cup-External links:*, UEFA.com...
- Taça da Liga: Runner-up 2009–10