Iván Alonso
Encyclopedia
Iván Daniel Alonso Vallejo (born 10 April 1979) is an Uruguay
an footballer who plays for Deportivo Toluca F.C. in the Primera División Mexicana, as a striker.
Gifted with an excellent aerial ability, he is most noted for his Alavés
stint, and spent the bulk of his professional career in Spain
, playing for three teams and appearing in seven La Liga
seasons, three each with Alavés and Espanyol
.
, Alonso started his professional career with local Club Atlético River Plate. After two seasons he moved to Spain
's Deportivo Alavés
, netting eight league goals (often as a substitute) during his first season, while also being an important offensive element in the Basque
side's UEFA Cup exploits, as he scored in the final
against Liverpool
, lost 4–5 in extra time
. During that season, he made a formidable partnership with Javi Moreno
(later of A.C. Milan
).
After playing 2003–04 in the second level
, Alonso stayed in the category, moving to Real Murcia
, where he scored 11 goals in his debut season. An undisputed starter from his arrival, he added 14 goals in 40 matches in 2006–07, as Murcia returned to La Liga
after a three-year absence.
for €
2.4 millions, on a deal running until the end of the season and two more. Benefitting from injuries and loss of form to legendary Raúl Tamudo
, he scored some important goals for the Catalans
, including two at UD Almería
on 23 May 2009, which guaranteed Espanyol's permanence in the top division a further year.
On 23 September 2009, Alonso scored in the club's first win of 2009–10
, the first ever at new Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, against Málaga CF
(2–1), and dedicated it to Daniel Jarque
, deceased in the team's preseason in Italy
. He would lose his starting job following the arrival, in January 2010, of Pablo Osvaldo
, on loan. However, on 11 April, one day after his 31st birthday, Alonso managed to add his name to the scoresheet in Espanyol's 3–0 home win against Atlético Madrid, having played only one minute (after having replaced precisely the Argentine
).
combined), 32-year Alonso moved countries and signed with Deportivo Toluca F.C. in Mexico
.
at various levels and despite his relative success abroad, Alonso never managed to receive a full cap
.
, is also a footballer and a forward. He too began his career at River Plate, also having a spell with Murcia, without any impact however.
His cousin, Diego Alonso
, also played several years in Spain (five years with as many teams).
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 Deportivo Toluca F.C. in the Primera División Mexicana, as a striker.
Gifted with an excellent aerial ability, he is most noted for his Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
stint, and spent the bulk of his professional career 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...
, playing for three teams and appearing in seven 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...
seasons, three each with Alavés and 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...
.
Early years / Alavés
Born in MontevideoMontevideo
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...
, Alonso started his professional career with local Club Atlético River Plate. After two seasons he moved to 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...
's Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, netting eight league goals (often as a substitute) during his first season, while also being an important offensive element in the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
side's UEFA Cup exploits, as he scored in the final
2001 UEFA Cup Final
The 2001 UEFA Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool of England and Alavés of Spain on 16 May 2001 at the Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany. The showpiece event was the final match of the 2000–01 edition of Europe's secondary cup competition, the UEFA Cup. Liverpool were...
against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, lost 4–5 in extra time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. During that season, he made a formidable partnership with Javi Moreno
Javi Moreno
Javier 'Javi' Moreno Valera is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker.Best known for his Alavés stint, he also had short spells in Italy and England, with little impact, amassing La Liga totals of 118 games and 38 goals.-Early years / Alavés:Moreno made his professional debuts with...
(later of A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
).
After playing 2003–04 in the second level
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, Alonso stayed in the category, moving to Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
, where he scored 11 goals in his debut season. An undisputed starter from his arrival, he added 14 goals in 40 matches in 2006–07, as Murcia returned to 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...
after a three-year absence.
Espanyol
In 2007–08, Alonso was again the club's top goalscorer, at 10, but it would be nonetheless immediately relegated back. In January 2009, however, he returned to the top flight, joining RCD EspanyolRCD 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...
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,...
2.4 millions, on a deal running until the end of the season and two more. Benefitting from injuries and loss of form to legendary Raúl Tamudo
Raúl Tamudo
Raúl Tamudo Montero is a Spanish footballer who currently plays for Rayo Vallecano as a striker....
, he scored some important goals for 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...
, including two at UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
on 23 May 2009, which guaranteed Espanyol's permanence in the top division a further year.
On 23 September 2009, Alonso scored in the club's first win of 2009–10
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;"|...
, the first ever at new Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, against Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
(2–1), and dedicated it to Daniel Jarque
Daniel Jarque
Daniel Jarque i González was a Spanish footballer who played as a central defender.Jarque played his entire career with Espanyol, and was named team captain one month before his death from a heart attack, at the age of 26....
, deceased in the team's preseason in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. He would lose his starting job following the arrival, in January 2010, of Pablo Osvaldo
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is an Argentine-born Italian footballer, who plays as a striker for Serie A club for Roma.-Club career:...
, on loan. However, on 11 April, one day after his 31st birthday, Alonso managed to add his name to the scoresheet in Espanyol's 3–0 home win against Atlético Madrid, having played only one minute (after having replaced precisely the 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...
).
Late career
In June 2011, after 11 years in Spain (amassing league totals of 344 games and 79 goals, both major levelsSpanish football league system
The Spanish football league system refers to the system in Spanish club football that consists of several football leagues bound together hierarchically by promotion and relegation.-Primera División:...
combined), 32-year Alonso moved countries and signed with Deportivo Toluca F.C. in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
International career
Having represented 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...
at various levels and despite his relative success abroad, Alonso never managed to receive a full cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
.
Personal
Alonso's younger brother, MatíasMatías Alonso Vallejo
Matias Damián Alonso Vallejo is an Uruguayan-Spanish footballer who plays for Zamora CF in Spain, as a forward.-Football career:...
, is also a footballer and a forward. He too began his career at River Plate, also having a spell with Murcia, without any impact however.
His cousin, Diego Alonso
Diego Alonso
Diego Martín Alonso López is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for C.A. Peñarol in the Uruguayan first division, as a striker.-Club career:Alonso was born in Montevideo, the country's capital. He made his professional debuts with C.A...
, also played several years in Spain (five years with as many teams).