Cristian Darío Álvarez Azad (born 13 November 1985) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Club career Rosario Central Born in General Lagos, Santa Fe Province, Álvarez came through the youth ranks at hometown club Rosario Central, making his first-team debut in a Copa Libertadores game against Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño on 23 February 2006, a 0–2 home defeat. He went on to fully establish himself as first choice, playing two seasons in the Primera División.
Espanyol 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 Copa del Rey matches, being barred in La Liga by Cameroonian 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 made four appearances, 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 campaign by manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Kameni also still in the roster.
San Lorenzo On 7 July 2013, Álvarez joined San Lorenzo de Almagro on a three-year deal. Initially a starter, he suffered an injury and eventually lost his place to Sebastián Torrico, contributing only three games as his team won the Torneo Inicial.
Álvarez was also an unused substitute in the club's victorious run in the 2014 Copa Libertadores. He returned to Spain and its top division for 2014–15, being loaned to Rayo Vallecano.
In August 2015, still owned by San Lorenzo, Álvarez moved to Cerro Porteño of the Paraguayan Primera División.
Zaragoza On 3 August 2017, Álvarez agreed to a one-year contract at Real Zaragoza, with an option to extend for two more years. The following February, after playing a required number of games, this was made effective.
Álvarez put pen to paper to a further extension on 20 August 2020, until 2023. On 30 April 2021, he headed home from a free kick in the 97th minute of the 2–2 Segunda División away draw with CD Lugo.
Álvarez retired on 3 February 2025, aged 39. During his spell at the La Romareda, he made 236 competitive appearances.
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRosario Central2004–05Argentine Primera División00———002005–06Argentine Primera División70—30—1002006–07Argentine Primera División200———2002007–08Argentine Primera División340———340Total610—30—640Espanyol2008–09La Liga1040——502009–10La Liga8020——1002010–11La Liga5040——902011–12La Liga23010——2402012–13La Liga18000——180Total550110——660San Lorenzo2013–14Argentine Primera División1000010—110Rayo Vallecano (loan)2014–15La Liga17010——180Cerro Porteño (loan)2015Paraguayan Primera División210———2102016Paraguayan Primera División10—00—10Total220—00—220Zaragoza2017–18Segunda División36020—204002018–19Segunda División38000——3802019–20Segunda División33000—203502020–21Segunda División37100——3712021–22Segunda División38000——3802022–23Segunda División35000——3502023–24Segunda División13000——130Total230120—402361Career Total395114040404171
Honours San Lorenzo Argentine Primera División: 2013 Inicial Copa Libertadores: 2014
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