Ricky Álvarez

Ricky Álvarez

Álvarez with Internazionale in 2011
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez
Date of birth (1988-04-12) 12 April 1988
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Sampdoria
Number 11
Youth career
2005–2006 Boca Juniors
2006–2008 Vélez Sársfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Vélez Sársfield 42 (5)
2011–2015 Internazionale 73 (11)
2014–2015 → Sunderland (loan) 13 (0)
2016– Sampdoria 24 (2)
National team‡
2011– Argentina 9 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:37, 2 December 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:45, 13 September 2014 (UTC)

Ricardo Gabriel "Ricky" Álvarez (Spanish pronunciation: [ riˈkarðo ɣaˈβɾjel ˈalβaɾes]; born 12 April 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Italian club Sampdoria.

He began his club career in Argentina in 2008 with Vélez Sársfield; his performances earned him a move to Italian club Internazionale in 2011, where he remained until 2015, aside from a loan spell with English side Sunderland during the 2014–15 season. He joined Sampdoria in 2016. At international level, Álvarez was a member of the Argentine squad that reached the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final.

Club career

Early career

As a child, Álvarez played papi fut for Caballito Juniors and Club Parque, and then had a brief stay in Boca Juniors youth divisions.[2]

Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield

Álvarez played his first professional game with Vélez Sársfield in 2008. Following his debut, he suffered a knee cruciate ligament injury that stalled his progression on the first team.[3] He then was part of the 2009 Clausura winning squad, playing only 18 minutes in the 1–0 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy.[4]

The midfielder's breakthrough with the team finally came during the 2010 Clausura, in which Vélez, forced by the tight fixture of the Copa Libertadores, played mostly with substitutes. He scored his first goal in a 1–2 defeat to River Plate at the Estadio Monumental[5] and received his first red card from referee Javier Collado in Vélez' 1–3 defeat to Racing, for complaining about a yellow card. He totalled 11 matches during the tournament (4 as a starter), and 1 goal.[6]

Álvarez then played 15 games (2 starts) during Vélez' runner-up 2010 Apertura campaign.[7] He also scored his second professional goal in his team's 1–0 home victory over Lanús for the 14th fixture.[8]

During the first semester of 2011, Álvarez got significant fan and media praise for his league and Copa Libertadores' games. He also showed versatility by playing all the positions of the midfield.[2] During that semester, he helped his team win the 2011 Clausura and reach the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

Internazionale

On 5 July 2011, Álvarez joined Italian club Inter for a €12.8 million fee, for 90% of his transfer rights.[9][10] He debuted officially for his club in the 2011 Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Milan. Under the coaching of Claudio Ranieri, Álvarez began to establish himself in the team and showed that he can play as a trequartista. His first official goal for Inter came against Trabzonspor on November 22, 2011 after a neat one-two with international teammate Diego Milito. He scored again in his side's 4–1 victory over Lecce, a tap in from a well worked cross by Yuto Nagatomo.

He scored his first goal for Inter in 2013 against Catania in a 3–2 comeback win. He scored two more on 7 April against Atalanta, although Inter lost that match 3–4 in the San Siro. Ten days later in a Coppa Italia match at San Siro, he scored again against Roma, but Inter lost 2–3 in an eventual 5–3 aggregate loss. On 5 May, Álvarez scored from a penalty kick against Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo but his team lost 3–1. Álvarez scored his 10th goal for Inter three days later against Lazio and missed a penalty kick, as Inter lost 1–3.

Sunderland

Sunderland signed Álvarez on September deadline day 2014. Álvarez initially signed on loan with a view to a permanent switch if Sunderland avoided relegation.[11] Álvarez made his Premier League debut on 13 September 2014, playing 65 minutes in a 2–2 draw against Tottenham.[12] He scored his first goal on 3 February 2015 in a 3–1 win against Fulham in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.[13]

Sunderland avoided relegation and triggered the conditional obligation to buy Álvarez outright for €10.5 million. However, the club did not wish to buy Álvarez. FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled that Sunderland had to pay Inter Milan for the transfer fee.[14] Nevertheless, neither club included Álvarez in their squad, making Álvarez a de facto free agent.

Sampdoria

In the last days of December 2015, he was linked with a move to Italian side Sampdoria[15] which was finally concluded on 4 January of the following year, with Álvarez signing a contract until 30 June 2016.[16] He was also given number 25 shirt for the second part of 2015–16 season.[16]

International career

On 18 August 2011, Álvarez was called up to Argentina's senior squad.[17] He made his debut on 2 September 2011 against Venezuela in a friendly. Four days later, Álvarez played in another friendly, this time against Nigeria. He made another appearance in the 2014 World Cup qualification match against Bolivia.

On 2 June 2014, Álvarez was called up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[18]

International goals

Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 June 2014 Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina  Slovenia 1–02–0Friendly

Style of play

A left-footed and technically gifted playmaker, Álvarez is usually deployed as an attacking midfielder, due to his ability to both score and create goals.[19][20][21] He has been praised for his work-rate and tactical versatility, and is capable of playing anywhere in midfield,[20][22] as well as in several offensive positions;[23] he has also been deployed as a second striker,[23] as a central midfielder,[24] or as a right winger, a position which allows him to cut inside and shoot on goal with his stronger left foot.[20] Nicknamed Ricky Maravilla, he was regarded as a talented and promising prospect in his youth, and his elegant playing style, height and physique initially drew comparisons with Kaká and Javier Pastore, although he has stated that his main inspirations as a footballer were Zinedine Zidane and Riquelme.[19][20][21][25] His main attributes are his powerful striking ability from distance, dribbling skills, and creativity,[20][22] although he has also drawn criticism for his lack of pace and inconsistent performances.[20][26] In recent seasons, his playing time has also been limited due to several injuries.[26]

Career statistics

Club

As of 11 September 2016[2][27]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Vélez Sársfield 2007–08 10-00000010-
2008–09 10-00000010-
2009–10 111100020-1311
2010–11 294400011124056
Total 42 5 5 0 0 0 13 1 2 55 6 7
Internazionale 2011–12 21253005102935
2012–13 23513104113072
2013–14 29482000003148
Total 73 11 14 8 1 0 9 2 3 90 14 15
Sunderland (loan) 2014–15 8003100001110
Total 8 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 11 1 0
Sampdoria 2015–16 13110000001311
2016–17 302100000402
Total 16 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 17 1 3
Career total 139 17 22 12 2 0 22 3 5 173 22 25

International

As of 4 January 2016[28]
Argentinanational team
YearAppsGoals
201130
201200
201441
Total91

Honours

Club

Vélez Sársfield
Internazionale

International

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. 11 June 2014. p. 2. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Martín Manrupe (2011-04-15). "Talentos de Exportación: Ricky Álvarez, la magia polifuncional que necesita Europa" (in Spanish). Goal.com. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  3. ↑ Rubén David Oliva. "En Vélez siempre se tiene que pelear todo" (in Spanish). Diario Infovelez. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  4. ↑ "Ricardo Álvarez 2009 Clausura stats" (in Spanish). Fútbol Pasión. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  5. ↑ "Buonanotte volvió al gol y fue el héroe del triunfo de River". TyC Sports (in Spanish). 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  6. ↑ "Closing '10 statistics". Argentine Soccer. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  7. ↑ "Opening '10 statistics" (in Spanish). Argentine Soccer. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  8. ↑ "Aprovechó su oportunidad: Vélez ganó y se trepó a la punta". Cancha Llena (in Spanish). 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  9. ↑ "Ricky Alvarez, el nuevo argentino de Inter". Cancha Llena (in Spanish). 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  10. ↑ "La Maravilla se muda a Italia" (in Spanish). Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  11. ↑ "Sunderland sign Sebastian Coates & Ricardo Alvarez on deadline day". BBC Sport. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 13 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Fulham 1-3 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  14. ↑ Dalla Vite, Matteo (30 April 2016). "Inter receive FIFA windfall from Alvarez ruling". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Translated by Sylla, Ogo. RCS MediaGroup. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  15. ↑ "Ricky Alvarez è a un passo dalla Samp, tra l'Inter e le visite mediche" (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  16. 1 2 "Official: Sampdoria sign Alvarez". Italian Football. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  17. ↑ "Lista de convocados para los amistosos ante Venezuela y Nigeria" (in Spanish). AFA. 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  18. ↑ "Argentina World Cup squad: Carlos Tevez and Erik Lamela miss out on 30-man provisional list". Mirror. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  19. 1 2 Alessandro Cavasinni (26 May 2011). "Gazzetta: "All'Inter piace Alvarez, il 'Kakà' del Vélez"" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Valerio Clari (23 November 2011). "Alvarez, l'investimento ora paga Ricky può cambiare l'Inter?" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  21. 1 2 Bruno Dardano (14 June 2011). "Roma, Ricky Alvarez to CM: 'I dream of Europe'". CalcioMercato.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  22. 1 2 Luca Calamai (18 June 2011). "Fari su Alvarez, nuovo Kakà Roma e Inter alla finestra" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Roma join Arsenal in race for Velez Sarsfield's Ricky Alvarez". Goal.com. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  24. ↑ Alberto Casavecchia (8 August 2011). "La Gazzetta promuove Alvarez, Obi e Castaignos" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  25. ↑ Stefano Fiore; Valentina Evelli (6 July 2011). "Ricky Alvarez, il Kakà dell'Inter "Sono nella squadra che mio padre ama"" (in Italian). Mediaset. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  26. 1 2 Pasquale Guarro (13 January 2016). "Inter, le mani su Eder: ecco come si fa" (in Italian). CalcioMercato.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "Argentina - R. Alvarez - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  28. ↑ Ricky Álvarez at National-Football-Teams.com
  29. ↑ "Milan vs. Internazionale 2 – 1". Soccerway. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  30. ↑ Young, James (4 July 2015). "Argentina's Painful Title Drought Continues with Loss in Copa Final". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
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