Julio Álvarez
Encyclopedia
Julio Álvarez Mosquera (born 1 May 1981 in Caracas
) is a Spanish
-Venezuela
n professional footballer who plays for CD Numancia
in the Spanish second division
, mainly as an attacking midfielder.
, Álvarez moved to Spain
aged four to reunite with his parents, and settled in Sada, Galicia
. He started his professional career at just 16, with local Deportivo de La Coruña B
, showing early promise and playing for Spain's U17
at the 1999 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup
(winning the tournament) and the 1998 European Championship
(third place). Subsequently, he joined Real Madrid
but, despite very good performances for the B
and C outfits
, could never break into the first team.
Following a successful season for Castilla, Álvarez was loaned to Racing de Santander
in 2000–01. However, he was mostly injured, and could not help the Cantabria
team escape La Liga
relegation at the season's end. The following season, with 31 matches and one goal, he helped Racing quickly return to the top flight.
In July 2002, Álvarez was sent on loan again, to first division's Rayo Vallecano
, where he netted eight times and was one of the team's best players, but again his team failed to keep its status, ranking last. Several teams made offers, and he was finally signed by Real Murcia
. Before playing any games for his new team, Álvarez got injured, and struggled throughout the vast majority of the season, finishing with 12 appearances, with Murcia also ending 20th. Fully recovered, he went on to be a very important team player, showing impressive skills and netting some deciders, despite a poor year for the team in 2005–06, that almost ended in relegation
. Álvarez also established himself as a free kick
specialist.
on a two-year deal. Playing as an attacking or holding midfielder, Álvarez again showed enough quality to earn a regular starting eleven berth, under manager Andoni Goikoetxea. Following the departure of some important players, Álvarez became a key player in team's push for promotion, scoring more winning goals. Numancia won 2007–08, five points clear of Málaga CF
.
Álvarez's contract expired by the end of the season and UD Almería
signed him on a free transfer on 3 July 2008, where he got the opportunity to work again with Gonzalo Arconada
, his former boss at Numancia. He replaced ACF Fiorentina
-bound Felipe Melo.
After an irregular season in Andalusia
, Álvarez was released hours before the transfer deadline in August 2009, and joined RCD Mallorca
shortly after. On 23 July 2010, after helping the Balearic Islands
side finish fifth
and qualify for the UEFA Europa League, the 29-year old signed a three-year contract with CD Tenerife
, which had in turn relegated from the top division.
for Spain
all youth levels combined. On 14 October 2011, after switching allegiance to his country of birth, the 30-year old made his debut for Venezuela
, in a 1–0 home win against Argentina
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
.
in three FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
s (2006, 2007
and 2008
).
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
) is a Spanish
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...
-Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n professional footballer who plays for CD Numancia
CD Numancia
Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other...
in the Spanish second division
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:...
, mainly as an attacking midfielder.
Real Madrid / Murcia
A playmakerPlaymaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
, Álvarez 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...
aged four to reunite with his parents, and settled in Sada, Galicia
Sada, Galicia
Sada is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. He started his professional career at just 16, with local Deportivo de La Coruña B
Deportivo de La Coruña B
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the reserve team of Deportivo de La Coruña....
, showing early promise and playing for Spain's U17
Spain national under-17 football team
The Spain national under-17 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain....
at the 1999 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup
UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup
The UEFA/CAF Meridian Cup features Under-18 representative sides from Europe and Africa, and is part of the co-operation programme between UEFA and the CAF.-Meridian Project:...
(winning the tournament) and the 1998 European Championship
UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The UEFA U-17 Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. From 1982 to 2001 it was an Under-16 event.This meeting serves as a preliminary competition for the FIFA U-17 World Cup every other year....
(third place). Subsequently, he joined Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
but, despite very good performances for the B
Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in the Segunda División B. It is the reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium....
and C outfits
Real Madrid C
Real Madrid C is a Spanish association football team that plays in the Tercera División. It is the second reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at La Ciudad del Real Madrid in Valdebebas outside the city of Madrid...
, could never break into the first team.
Following a successful season for Castilla, Álvarez was loaned to Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
in 2000–01. However, he was mostly injured, and could not help the Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
team escape 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...
relegation at the season's end. The following season, with 31 matches and one goal, he helped Racing quickly return to the top flight.
In July 2002, Álvarez was sent on loan again, to first division's Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, where he netted eight times and was one of the team's best players, but again his team failed to keep its status, ranking last. Several teams made offers, and he was finally signed by 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....
. Before playing any games for his new team, Álvarez got injured, and struggled throughout the vast majority of the season, finishing with 12 appearances, with Murcia also ending 20th. Fully recovered, he went on to be a very important team player, showing impressive skills and netting some deciders, despite a poor year for the team in 2005–06, that almost ended in relegation
2005–06 Segunda División
-Classification 2005–06:-Relegated to Segunda División B:* UE Lleida -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 3* Ferrol -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 1* Eibar -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 4...
. Álvarez also established himself as a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
specialist.
Late career
Following a worse second year, Álvarez was transfer listed and, on 9 August 2006, joined CD NumanciaCD Numancia
Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other...
on a two-year deal. Playing as an attacking or holding midfielder, Álvarez again showed enough quality to earn a regular starting eleven berth, under manager Andoni Goikoetxea. Following the departure of some important players, Álvarez became a key player in team's push for promotion, scoring more winning goals. Numancia won 2007–08, five points clear of 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...
.
Álvarez's contract expired by the end of the season and 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...
signed him on a free transfer on 3 July 2008, where he got the opportunity to work again with Gonzalo Arconada
Gonzalo Arconada Echarri
Gonzalo Arconada Echarri is a Spanish football manager.-Coaching career:Arconada started coaching while still in his teens, with youth sides Juveniles de La Salle and Danak; his first twenty years would be spent with teams in his native region, mostly in the lower levels...
, his former boss at Numancia. He replaced 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...
-bound Felipe Melo.
After an irregular season in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, Álvarez was released hours before the transfer deadline in August 2009, and joined RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
shortly after. On 23 July 2010, after helping the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
side finish fifth
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;"|...
and qualify for the UEFA Europa League, the 29-year old signed a three-year contract with CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
, which had in turn relegated from the top division.
International career
Álvarez gained 28 capsCap (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...
for Spain
Spain national youth football team
The Spain national under-16 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA U-16 World Cup Championship Record:...
all youth levels combined. On 14 October 2011, after switching allegiance to his country of birth, the 30-year old made his debut for 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 a 1–0 home win against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
2014 FIFA World Cup
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international association football tournament that will take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014....
qualifiers
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American Zone of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees nine teams competing for places in the finals which are to be held in Brazil.-Format:The format for CONMEBOL's 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament is identical to the previous four editions...
.
Club statistics
| Season | Club | Country | Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | Deportivo B Deportivo de La Coruña Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División... |
 Spain |
Segunda División B Segunda División B Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division... |
11 | 4 |
| 1998–99 | Real Madrid C Real Madrid C Real Madrid C is a Spanish association football team that plays in the Tercera División. It is the second reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at La Ciudad del Real Madrid in Valdebebas outside the city of Madrid... |
Spain |
Tercera División Tercera División Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:... |
35 | 15 |
| 1999–00 | Real Madrid B Real Madrid Castilla Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in the Segunda División B. It is the reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium.... |
Spain |
Segunda División B Segunda División B Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division... |
34 | 14 |
| 2000–01 | Racing Santander Racing de Santander Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators.... |
Spain |
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... |
13 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | Racing Santander Racing de Santander Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators.... |
Spain |
Segunda División 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:... |
31 | 1 |
| 2002–03 | Rayo Vallecano Rayo Vallecano Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas... |
Spain |
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... |
26 | 8 |
| 2003–04 | 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.... |
Spain |
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... |
12 | 0 |
| 2004–05 | 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.... |
Spain |
Segunda División 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:... |
35 | 5 |
| 2005–06 2005–06 Segunda División -Classification 2005–06:-Relegated to Segunda División B:* UE Lleida -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 3* Ferrol -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 1* Eibar -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 4... |
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.... |
Spain |
Segunda División 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:... |
25 | 2 |
| 2006–07 | Numancia CD Numancia Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other... |
Spain |
Segunda División 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:... |
33 | 4 |
| 2007–08 | Numancia CD Numancia Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other... |
Spain |
Segunda División 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:... |
33 | 7 |
| 2008–09 | 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... |
Spain |
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... |
21 | 0 |
| 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;"|... |
Mallorca | Spain |
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... |
26 | 6 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Segunda División -Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:||style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=11 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Positions by round:Source: -Results:... |
Tenerife CD Tenerife Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in... |
Spain |
Segunda División 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:... |
30 | 3 |
| |Total | 339 | 63 |
Personal life
Álvarez's older brother, Javier, is also a footballer and a midfielder. He played his entire career in Spanish amateur football. In addition, he represented SpainSpain national beach soccer team
The Spain national beach soccer team represents Spain in international beach soccer competitions and is controlled by the RFEF, the governing body for football in Spain.-Current squad:As of 6, August 2011 Coach: Joaquin Alonso...
in three FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is a bi-annual international beach soccer competition contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA, the sport's global governing body. The tournament has taken place every year since its establishment in 1995, when it was originally supervised...
s (2006, 2007
2007 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
The 2007 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was the third edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, governed by FIFA. Previous editions before 2005 were not governed by FIFA and were held under the title Beach Soccer World Championships. Overall this was the thirteenth edition of the World Cup since...
and 2008
2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
The 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was the fourth edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, governed by FIFA. Previous editions before 2005 were not governed by FIFA and were held under the title Beach Soccer World Championships. Overall this was the fourteenth edition of the World Cup since...
).