Diego Alves

Brazilian footballer (born 1985) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diego Alves

Diego Alves Carreira (born 24 June 1985), known as Diego Alves, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...
Diego Alves
Alves warming up with Flamengo in 2018
Personal information
Full name Diego Alves Carreira[1]
Date of birth (1985-06-24) 24 June 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
2001–2003 Botafogo-SP
2004 Atlético Mineiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Atlético Mineiro 54 (0)
2007–2011 Almería 123 (0)
2011–2017 Valencia 146 (0)
2017–2023 Flamengo 151 (0)
2023 Celta 0 (0)
Total 474 (0)
International career
2008 Brazil U23 2 (0)
2011–2017 Brazil 10 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Men's Football
2008 BeijingTeam Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:58, 8 February 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 June 2017
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Having begun his career at Atlético Mineiro in Brazil, he spent most of it in Spain with Almería and Valencia, making 269 La Liga appearances during the decade he played in Spain, during which time he stopped a record 23 penalty kicks.[3] In 2017 he returned to Brazil, and won several honours with Flamengo, including the Copa Libertadores in 2019.

Alves was part of the Brazilian squad which won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, and made his senior international debut in 2011. He represented the latter at the Copa América Centenario.

Club career

Summarize
Perspective

Atlético Mineiro / Almería

Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro. Having started professionally at Clube Atlético Mineiro, he moved to UD Almería on 24 July 2007, as the Andalusians had just achieved a first ever promotion to La Liga. Initially the backup to another newly signed, David Cobeño, he eventually became the undisputed starter, helping the club overachieve for a final eighth place in the league with notable performances against, among others, Real Madrid.[4]

After Cobeño left for Rayo Vallecano in August 2008, Alves remained first-choice during 2008–09, but suffered an injury in the final stretch of the season. Fully recovered for the start of the following campaign, he played in all the matches (safe for 30 minutes against Valencia CF, after he had been sent off, and the last round against Sevilla FC as Almería were already saved from relegation); in April 2010, his agent stated a move away from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos was being considered.[5][6]

On 20 November 2010, Alves was in goal as Almería lost 8–0 at home to FC Barcelona, a defeat which cost manager Juan Manuel Lillo his post.[7] In mid-May 2011, after his team's top-flight relegation, Valencia chairman Manuel Llorente confirmed the signing of the player.[8]

Valencia

Thumb
Alves as a Valencia player in 2011.

Alves made his official debut for Valencia on 13 September 2011, in a 0–0 away draw against K.R.C. Genk in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.[9] He backed-up Vicente Guaita in the league, however, until Guaita picked up a serious hand injury.[10][11]

Alves also appeared in the second Champions League group stage match, at home to Chelsea, where he had a series of superb saves, including a string of three in two minutes – two-point-blank against Ramires and Fernando Torres, and a third when Valencia man Víctor Ruiz accidentally diverted the ensuing corner towards his own goal – in an eventual 1–1 draw.[12]

In July 2014, Alves signed a new five-year deal to run until 2019.[13] In the last game of the season, that also marked his 100th league appearance for the club, away against former side Almería, he tore his cruciate ligament in the 72nd minute, later undergoing surgery and being sidelined until November.[14]

Flamengo

On 17 July 2017, ten years after leaving for Europe, Alves joined Clube de Regatas do Flamengo until 2020.[15][16] On 23 November 2017, in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana against Atlético Junior at the Maracanã Stadium, he suffered a broken collar bone after being hit by Yony González;[17] he underwent surgery two days later, being expected to return in two months.[18] With this injury Alves was an important absentee in the 2017 Copa Sudamericana Finals.

Alves played 62 games for Flamengo in 2019,[19] as they won the Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Copa Libertadores.[20] In the national championship, he made the Bola da Prata for the team of the tournament.[21]

In 2020, Alves played less than half the games. He was infected with COVID-19 at the start of the year, and also suffered a 20-game shoulder injury against Santos FC. The youngster Hugo Souza emerged in his absence.[19] Diego Alves situation got even worse when Flamengo board decided to hire a new goalkeeper: Santos. Which was on the Athetico.[22]

Celta

On 8 February 2023, Alves returned to Spain when he joined RC Celta de Vigo on a free transfer.[23] He terminated his contract on 15 April, after failing to play a single minute for the club.[24]

Retirement

On 21 January 2025, Alves announced his retirement from professional football.[25][26]

International career

Thumb
Alves lining up for Brazil in 2014.

Alves was chosen to represent Brazil at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, as backup to Renan. He did not receive any playing time during the competition, as the national team went on to win a bronze medal.

Alves made his debut for the full side on 10 November 2011, in a 2–0 friendly win with Gabon.[27] He also played four days later, against Egypt (same score).[28]

Alves was selected by coach Dunga for the 2015 Copa América in Chile, but withdrew due to a knee injury to be replaced by Neto.[29] On 5 May 2016, he was named to a 23-man squad for the Copa América Centenario.[30]

Style of play

Alves made his 15th penalty save against Sevilla FC on 25 January 2015, which took his record to 42.85% of all attempts faced.[31] Widely regarded as a specialist in the matter, he once stated that a penalty is "a psychological battle between the goalkeeper and the taker".[32]

On 9 May 2015, after denying Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Alves became the goalkeeper with the most penalty saves in the history of the Spanish top flight with 16 out of 37, equalling Andoni Zubizarreta who saved 16 from 102.[33] He surpassed the latter on 25 September 2016 during a 2–1 away win over CD Leganés,[34] following it up with two saves the next weekend – including a spectacular block from an Antoine Griezmann shot – albeit in a 0–2 home loss to Atlético Madrid;[35] upon his departure from Valencia in 2017, he had saved 23 spot kicks.[3]

Career statistics

Club

As of 13 November 2022.[36][37]
More information Club, Season ...
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atlético Mineiro 2005 Série A 102[a]00030
2006 Série B 2400000240
2007 Série A 13014[a]070340
Total 38016070610
Almería 2007–08 La Liga 22000220
2008–09 31000310
2009–10 37000370
2010–11 33000330
Total 1230001230
Valencia 2011–12 La Liga 1206012[b]0300
2012–13 240102[c]0270
2013–14 270107[d]0350
2014–15 37000370
2015–16 1300000130
2016–17 33000330
Total 1460802101750
Flamengo 2017 Série A 1905[e]0240
2018 2307[f]0608[g]0440
2019 32012[f]04012[g]02[h]0620
2020 10010[f]0204[g]03[i]0290
2021 2605[f]06011[g]01[j]0490
2022 502[f]010000080
Total 1150360190400602160
Career totals 4220520340610605750
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  1. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro.
  2. Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League.
  3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League.
  4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League.
  5. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana.
  6. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Carioca.
  7. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores.
  8. Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup.
  9. Two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil.
  10. Appearance(s) in Supercopa do Brasil.

International

As of 13 June 2017.
More information National team, Year ...
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil 2011 20
2012 50
2014 20
2017 10
Career total 100
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Honours

Atlético Mineiro

Flamengo

Brazil

Individual

References

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