Pablo Sebastián Álvarez
Encyclopedia
Pablo Sebastián Álvarez Valeira (born April 17, 1984 in San Martín, Buenos Aires
) is an Argentine
football
defender
who currently plays for Calcio Catania
, in the Italian Serie A. He also holds a Spanish passport thanks to his descent.
, starting in 1995, before transferring to Boca Juniors
in 1999.
to Boca Juniors
in 1999, Álvarez joined the youth system at the club, before breaking into the Boca first team in 2003, making his league debut. During the 2003–2004 Argentine season, the young defender continued to play in the youth ranks, but made 4 first team appearances, and in 2004 he won his first title by helping Boca to win the Copa Sudamericana
. Álvarez continued to impress, and in his first full season with the first team, the fullback made 15 appearances.
to join Argentine rivals, Estudiantes
, where he won the second title of his career. On 13 December 2006, Álvarez played for Estudiantes against Boca Juniors in a playoff to decide the winner of the Apertura 2006. Estudiantes won the game 2–1 to claim their first league title in 23 years. In just two seasons with the club, Álvarez made 55 appearances for his club, also netting 2 goals. Following his impressive displays during the 2006–2007 season, he was linked with a host of European clubs, but remained at Estudiantes over the summer transfer window, making an additional 15 appearances for his club
giants Calcio Catania
of the Italian Serie A, joining up with former teammate Matias Silvestre, who also transferred to Catania in January 2008, from Boca Juniors
. Under then-coach Silvio Baldini
, Álvarez failed to make the imposed impact, and made just 6 league appearances in 5 months. Following the appointment of Walter Zenga
, as the new head coach, Álvarez was set to remain at the club for the 2008–2009 season, but failed to make an impact yet again. He made just 6 more appearances between August 2008 and January 2009, and was sent out on loan to Rosario Central
, on loan, in order to gain more playing time and game experience. He signed for the Argentine club on January 7, 2009. During his loan spell, the player made 14 league appearances, and returned to Sicily on June 30, 2009. Under new head coach Siniša Mihajlović
, Álvarez became a more valuable player in the squad following the departure of right back Gennaro Sardo
, and eventually surpassed Alessandro Potenza
for the starting right full back position. Álvarez made over 30 appearances for his Catania, in his return season, and was an undisputed starter for much of the season. He was noted for his big-team peak performances, as he kept Argentine star Diego Milito
at bay in a 3–1 win for Calcio Catania over Inter Milan at the Stadio Angelo Massimino
, as well as Ronaldinho
in a 2–2 draw with AC Milan at the San Siro
. Catania also notably defeated Juventus, in a season, that the team reached a record points total in the Serie A, finishing in 13th position, also making it to the semi-finals of the 2009–10 Coppa Italia
. Catania reached a record points total for the third consecutive year during the 2010-11 Serie A season.
San Martín, Buenos Aires
Ciudad del Libertador General Don José de San Martín, more commonly known as San Martín is the head city of the General San Martín Partido in the Gran Buenos Aires metropolitan area.-Geography:...
) 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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who currently plays for Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
, in the Italian Serie A. He also holds a Spanish passport thanks to his descent.
Argentinos Juniors
Álvarez came through the youth systems of Argentinos JuniorsArgentinos 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...
, starting in 1995, before transferring to Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
in 1999.
Boca Juniors
Following his transfer from Argentinos JuniorsArgentinos 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...
to Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
in 1999, Álvarez joined the youth system at the club, before breaking into the Boca first team in 2003, making his league debut. During the 2003–2004 Argentine season, the young defender continued to play in the youth ranks, but made 4 first team appearances, and in 2004 he won his first title by helping Boca to win the Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
. Álvarez continued to impress, and in his first full season with the first team, the fullback made 15 appearances.
Estudiantes
In July 2005 Álvarez surprisingly left Boca JuniorsBoca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
to join Argentine rivals, Estudiantes
Estudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
, where he won the second title of his career. On 13 December 2006, Álvarez played for Estudiantes against Boca Juniors in a playoff to decide the winner of the Apertura 2006. Estudiantes won the game 2–1 to claim their first league title in 23 years. In just two seasons with the club, Álvarez made 55 appearances for his club, also netting 2 goals. Following his impressive displays during the 2006–2007 season, he was linked with a host of European clubs, but remained at Estudiantes over the summer transfer window, making an additional 15 appearances for his club
Calcio Catania
In January 2008, however, Álvarez joined SicilianSicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
giants Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
of the Italian Serie A, joining up with former teammate Matias Silvestre, who also transferred to Catania in January 2008, from Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
. Under then-coach Silvio Baldini
Silvio Baldini
Silvio Baldini is an Italian association football manager and the former head coach of Vicenza in the Serie B league.- Coach :...
, Álvarez failed to make the imposed impact, and made just 6 league appearances in 5 months. Following the appointment of Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
, as the new head coach, Álvarez was set to remain at the club for the 2008–2009 season, but failed to make an impact yet again. He made just 6 more appearances between August 2008 and January 2009, and was sent out on loan to Rosario Central
Rosario 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....
, on loan, in order to gain more playing time and game experience. He signed for the Argentine club on January 7, 2009. During his loan spell, the player made 14 league appearances, and returned to Sicily on June 30, 2009. Under new head coach Siniša Mihajlović
Siniša Mihajlovic
Siniša Mihajlović is a Serbian football manager and former player. He was in charge of Serie A club Fiorentina since June 2010 to November 2011....
, Álvarez became a more valuable player in the squad following the departure of right back Gennaro Sardo
Gennaro Sardo
Gennaro Sardo is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Chievo in the Italian Serie A.-Early Career:Sardo started his professional career in 1997 when he played for A.S. Palmese Calcio. In 1998, he moved on loan to S.S.C. Giugliano. He played 16 total games with the club. He would then...
, and eventually surpassed Alessandro Potenza
Alessandro Potenza
Alessandro Potenza is an Italian football defender, who currently plays for Calcio Catania of the Italian Serie A.-FC Internazionale Milano:...
for the starting right full back position. Álvarez made over 30 appearances for his Catania, in his return season, and was an undisputed starter for much of the season. He was noted for his big-team peak performances, as he kept Argentine star Diego Milito
Diego Milito
Diego Alberto Milito is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for the Italian Serie A team Internazionale. He also plays for the Argentine national team. A prolific and consistent center-forward, Milito has statistically averaged just over a goal every two appearances, over the course of...
at bay in a 3–1 win for Calcio Catania over Inter Milan at the Stadio Angelo Massimino
Stadio Angelo Massimino
Stadio Angelo Massimino is a multi-use stadium in Catania, Italy. It is currently used mostly for football matches and the home of Calcio Catania. The stadium was built in 1937 and holds 23,420...
, as well as Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
in a 2–2 draw with AC Milan at the San Siro
San Siro
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, originally and commonly referred to as the San Siro because of its location, officially given its current name on 3 March 1980, is a football stadium located in the San Siro district in Milan, Italy. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano...
. Catania also notably defeated Juventus, in a season, that the team reached a record points total in the Serie A, finishing in 13th position, also making it to the semi-finals of the 2009–10 Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
. Catania reached a record points total for the third consecutive year during the 2010-11 Serie A season.
Honours
| Season | Club | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 |  Boca JuniorsBoca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
Copa Sudamericana Copa Sudamericana The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004... |
| Apertura 2006 | Estudiantes Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |