Cristian Darío Álvarez
Encyclopedia
Cristian Darío Álvarez (born 13 November 1985 in General Lagos
, Santa Fe
) is an Argentine
footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol
in Spain
, as a goalkeeper.
making his first team debuts in a Libertadores Cup game against Paraguay
an side Cerro Porteño
on 23 February 2006, a 0–2 home loss. He went on to fully establish himself as the club's first-choice, playing two seasons in the first division.
In late May 2008, Álvarez joined Spanish
team RCD Espanyol
, signing a five-year contract. He spent most of his spell with the Catalans
restricted to cup
matches, being barred in La Liga
by Cameroon
ian 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 played four matches, conceding as many goals in two wins, one draw and one loss.
Álvarez was promoted to first-choice for the start of the 2011–12 season
by manager Mauricio Pochettino
, with Kameni also still in Espanyol's roster.
Rosario Department
The Rosario Department is an administrative subdivision of the . It is located on the south of the province, with its eastern border coinciding with the provincial border along the Paraná River. It has an area of 1,890 km² and a population of 1.3 million, with a population density of about 700...
, Santa Fe
Santa Fe Province
The Invincible Province of Santa Fe, in Spanish Provincia Invencible de Santa Fe , is a province of Argentina, located in the center-east of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Chaco , Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Santiago del Estero...
) is an Argentine
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...
footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Álvarez came through the youth ranks at hometown side Rosario CentralRosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
making his first team debuts in a Libertadores Cup game against Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an side Cerro Porteño
Cerro Porteño
Club Cerro Porteño is a professional Paraguayan football club, based in the neighbourhood of Barrio Obrero in Asunción. Founded in 1912, Cerro has won 28 Primera División titles and is one of the most popular football club in Paraguay...
on 23 February 2006, a 0–2 home loss. He went on to fully establish himself as the club's first-choice, playing two seasons in the first division.
In late May 2008, Álvarez joined Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
team RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, signing a five-year contract. He spent most of his spell with the Catalans
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
restricted to cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
matches, being barred in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
by Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian Carlos Kameni
Idriss Carlos Kameni
Idriss Carlos Kameni is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol in the Spanish first division, as a goalkeeper.-France:...
: his longest run in the latter competition came during the 2009–10 season
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
, as the starter had been selected to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, and he played four matches, conceding as many goals in two wins, one draw and one loss.
Álvarez was promoted to first-choice for the start of the 2011–12 season
2011–12 La Liga
The 2011–12 La Liga season is the 81st since its establishment. Barcelona are the defending champions, having won their 21st La Liga title in the previous season for the third time in a row. The campaign began on 27 August 2011, and will end on 13 May 2012...
by manager Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a central defender, and the current coach of RCD Espanyol.-Club career:...
, with Kameni also still in Espanyol's roster.