Antolin Alcaraz
Encyclopedia
Antolín Alcaraz Viveros (born 30 July 1982 in San Roque González) is a Paraguay
an footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
in the Premier League, as a central defender.
and signed with Racing Club de Avellaneda
, appearing rarely during his spell. In the 2002 summer, he was bought by ACF Fiorentina
, but the Italian
side soon faced bankruptcy and regrouped in fourth division. He then had a trial at U.S. Città di Palermo
, but eventually left for Portuguese
side S.C. Beira-Mar.
After seven appearances in half a season, Alcaraz became a defensive mainstay at the top division team, eventually also gaining club captaincy; in 2005–06, he helped the Aveiro side return to the top flight, appearing in 31 matches.
On 30 April 2007, Alcaraz was signed by Club Brugge in Belgium
. After a slow first season, he also eventually became first-choice here, helping his team to two third-places and one second.
On 14 May 2010, Alcaraz signed with Wigan Athletic
, for an undisclosed fee; his contract with Club Brugge was about to expire at the end of June. He scored his first goal for the club against Sunderland
on 11 September 2010, netting in the 86th minute for an eventual 1–1 home draw.
On 6 November 2011, Alcaraz caused widespread controversy when replays showed Alcaraz spitting at Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Richard Stearman
during Wolves' 3-1 win over Wigan at The Molineux, he will now be suspended for three matches.
. He was picked for the squad present at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
; on June 14, in the group stage opener against Italy
, in just his seventh international, Alcaraz scored from a set piece
in an eventual 1–1 draw in Cape Town
, and played all the matches and minutes for the eventual quarterfinalists.
Alcaraz was again first-choice for Paraguay during the 2011 Copa América
, held in Argentina. On 13 July, he scored the 1–1 equalizer against Venezuela
in an eventual 3–3 group stage draw, with the national team eventually finishing runner-up.
Season Club Country League Games Goals
2000–01 Teniente Farina ? ?
2001–02 Racing Club
Argentine League 0 0
2002–03 Fiorentina
Fourth Division 0 0
2002–03 Beira-Mar Portuguese League 7 0
2003–04 Beira-Mar Portuguese League 24 1
2004–05 Beira-Mar Portuguese League 24 1
2005–06 Beira-Mar Second Division
31 0
2006–07 Beira-Mar Portuguese League 26 3
2007–08 Club Brugge Belgian League 10 1
2008–09 Club Brugge Belgian League 29 3
2009–10 Club Brugge Belgian League 29 1
2010–11 Wigan Athletic
Premier League 34 1>
Total
195
11
girlfriend Evangelina. On 10 November of the following year, the couple welcomed their first child, Valentino.
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 footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in the Premier League, as a central defender.
Club career
After starting at amateur football in his country, 19-year old Alcaraz moved to ArgentinaArgentina
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...
and signed with Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
, appearing rarely during his spell. In the 2002 summer, he was bought by ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
, but the Italian
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...
side soon faced bankruptcy and regrouped in fourth division. He then had a trial at U.S. Città di Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
, but eventually left for Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
side S.C. Beira-Mar.
After seven appearances in half a season, Alcaraz became a defensive mainstay at the top division team, eventually also gaining club captaincy; in 2005–06, he helped the Aveiro side return to the top flight, appearing in 31 matches.
On 30 April 2007, Alcaraz was signed by Club Brugge in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. After a slow first season, he also eventually became first-choice here, helping his team to two third-places and one second.
On 14 May 2010, Alcaraz signed with Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, for an undisclosed fee; his contract with Club Brugge was about to expire at the end of June. He scored his first goal for the club against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
on 11 September 2010, netting in the 86th minute for an eventual 1–1 home draw.
On 6 November 2011, Alcaraz caused widespread controversy when replays showed Alcaraz spitting at Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Richard Stearman
Richard Stearman
Richard James Michael Stearman is an English footballer of Irish descent who plays as a defender for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers...
during Wolves' 3-1 win over Wigan at The Molineux, he will now be suspended for three matches.
International career
At the age of 26 (November 2008), Alcaraz received his first call-up to the Paraguayan national teamParaguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
. He was picked for the squad present at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
; on June 14, in the group stage opener against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, in just his seventh international, Alcaraz scored from a set piece
Set piece (football)
The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
in an eventual 1–1 draw in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, and played all the matches and minutes for the eventual quarterfinalists.
Alcaraz was again first-choice for Paraguay during the 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
, held in Argentina. On 13 July, he scored the 1–1 equalizer against Venezuela
Venezuela national football team
The Venezuela national football team is the national football team of Venezuela and is controlled by the Federación Venezolana de Fútbol. It is nicknamed La Vinotinto , because of the traditional burgundy color of their shirts....
in an eventual 3–3 group stage draw, with the national team eventually finishing runner-up.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 14 June 2010 | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
1–0 | 1–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup 2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010... |
|
| 2. | 13 July 2011 | Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena is a multi-use stadium in Salta, Argentina. The stadium, built for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, holds 20,408 people and was opened in 2001. It is now the home ground of football club Juventud Antoniana, which plays in the country's third level... , Salta Salta Salta is a city in northwestern Argentina and the capital city of the Salta Province. Along with its metropolitan area, it has a population of 464,678 inhabitants as of the , making it Argentina's eighth largest city.-Overview:... , Argentina 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... |
1–1 | 3–3 | 2011 Copa América | |
Club statistics
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
Personal life
On 30 July 2007, Alcaraz married his ArgentineArgentina
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...
girlfriend Evangelina. On 10 November of the following year, the couple welcomed their first child, Valentino.