Gilbert Álvarez
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Álvarez is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for The Strongest
and for the Bolivia national team
.
in his home city of Santa Cruz
in Bolivia
, including Club Destroyers
and Club Callejas
. During his time with Callejas, he was called up by the Bolivia under-17s to play as their lone striker in the 2009 South American Under-17 Football Championship. He scored three goals in the tournament, including a double against Ecuador under-17s
in the final group stage.
Later in 2009, as a 17-year old, Álvarez was called up to the senior Bolivia
side. He made his first senior international appearance as a substitute against Venezuela
in a qualifying match
for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
on 6 June 2009. He gained a second cap the following year in a 5–0 friendly match defeat to Mexico
in February 2010.
In August 2010, Álvarez was signed by Cruzeiro
of Brazil
. He did not play a first team game for Cruzeiro prior to the 2011 Copa America
, and he was not named in Bolivia's squad for the tournament.
In August 2011, Álvarez announced that he was considering a move to Europe, citing that talks between his agent and one club in Germany and another in Italy were underway.
, declaring in a 2009 interview that he was delighted by reported interest in his signature from Lazio and that his ultimate ambition was to play for Manchester United.
The Strongest
The Strongest is a Bolivian football club based in La Paz founded on April 8, 1908. Their team colours are yellow and black. Although they have a home ground, the Rafael Mendoza Castellón , they play most of their games at the Estadio Hernando Siles, Bolivia's national ground...
and for the Bolivia national team
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
.
Career
Álvarez played for several youth teamsYouth system
Youth system is a sporting terminology used to refer to a youth investment program within a particular team or league, which develops and nurtures young talent in farm teams, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise, and to fill up squads numbers in some teams...
in his home city of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia and the largest city in the country...
in Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, including Club Destroyers
Club Destroyers
Club Destroyers is a football club from Santa Cruz, Bolivia currently playing in both the Nacional B second division and in Santa Cruz Primera A, one of the third division regional leagues....
and Club Callejas
Club Callejas
Club Callejas is a football club from Santa Cruz, Bolivia currently playing at Santa Cruz Primera A, one of the first division regional leagues. The club is the senior team of Tahuichi....
. During his time with Callejas, he was called up by the Bolivia under-17s to play as their lone striker in the 2009 South American Under-17 Football Championship. He scored three goals in the tournament, including a double against Ecuador under-17s
Ecuador national under-17 football team
The Ecuadorian national under-17 football team represents Ecuador in international under-17 football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation.-Current squad:This is the squad called up for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup....
in the final group stage.
Later in 2009, as a 17-year old, Álvarez was called up to the senior Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
side. He made his first senior international appearance as a substitute 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 a qualifying match
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
The qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament...
for 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 6 June 2009. He gained a second cap the following year in a 5–0 friendly match defeat to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in February 2010.
In August 2010, Álvarez was signed by Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. He did not play a first team game for Cruzeiro prior to the 2011 Copa America
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...
, and he was not named in Bolivia's squad for the tournament.
In August 2011, Álvarez announced that he was considering a move to Europe, citing that talks between his agent and one club in Germany and another in Italy were underway.
Personal life
Álvarez comes from a large family, being the fifth of thirteen children. He harbours aspirations to play in EuropeUEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
, declaring in a 2009 interview that he was delighted by reported interest in his signature from Lazio and that his ultimate ambition was to play for Manchester United.