Tigres’ Damian Alvarez (pictured) announced his retirement at a press conference on December 22, 2017. (Photo: Mexsport)
MONTERREY, Mexico – Tigres attacker Damian Alvarez announced Friday his retirement from football, following a trophy-laden career that started in his native Argentina career and ended with the 2017 Liga MX Apertura championship.
The 38-year-old was a member of squads that earned six league titles and four international crowns.
"I came without knowing what I wanted to say in terms of feelings, but the most important thing is to announce officially that I cease being a professional player,” said Alvarez. “This is a dream come true, something that life gave me, for which I fought so much since I was five-years-old. I have a lot of mixed feelings. I leave a career of almost 20 years. I say it with great anguish, but with a giant smile “
Alvarez made his professional debut in 1993 with Argentina’s River Plate, where he won the 1999 Apertura and 2000 Clausura titles, before moving to Italy in 2001 for a short stint with Serie B side Reggina.
After returning briefly to River Plate, Alvarez joined Morelia in 2003, opening an incredibly successful chapter in Mexico. With the Monarcas, he scored 23 goals in 107 games.
Alvarez left for Pachuca in 2006 and went to win one Liga MX title (Clausura 2007), a Copa Sudamerica crown (2006) and three CONCACAF club championships (Champions’ Cup: 2007, 2008; Champions League: 2009/10). He struck for 21 goals in 121 Liga MX matches with the Tuzos, also competing twice in the FIFA Club World Cup (2007: 1 game/0 goals; 2008: 3/1 goal v Al Ahly SC).
In 2010, Alvarez left for Tigres and more success followed. The 5-foot-6 winger notched four additional Liga MX titles, all in Apertura play (2011, 2015, 2016), appearing in 181 Liga MX games and netting 19 goals. He also finished as runner in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League twice (2015/16, 2016/17).
Alvarez acquired Mexican citizenship and gained two caps for the Tricolor.
