| Álvaro Ratón | |
| Fullname: | Álvaro López Ratón |
| Birth Date: | 29 January 1993 |
| Birth Place: | O Carballiño, Spain |
| Position: | Goalkeeper |
| Currentclub: | Lamia |
| Clubnumber: | 1 |
| Youthclubs1: | Arenteiro |
| Youthclubs2: | Pabellón |
| Youthyears3: | 2007–2010 |
| Youthclubs3: | Valencia |
| Youthyears4: | 2010–2011 |
| Youthclubs4: | Deportivo La Coruña |
| Youthyears5: | 2011–2012 |
| Youthclubs5: | Montañeros |
| Years1: | 2012–2013 |
| Clubs1: | Arroyo |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2013 |
| Clubs2: | Algeciras |
| Caps2: | 5 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2013–2014 |
| Clubs3: | Betis B |
| Caps3: | 2 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2014–2015 |
| Clubs4: | Villanovense |
| Caps4: | 15 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2015–2016 |
| Clubs5: | Zaragoza B |
| Caps5: | 43 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2016–2023 |
| Clubs6: | Zaragoza |
| Caps6: | 56 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Years7: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs7: | Wisła Kraków |
| Caps7: | 27 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Years8: | 2024– |
| Clubs8: | Lamia |
| Caps8: | 0 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2024– |
| Nationalteam1: | Galicia |
| Nationalcaps1: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 4 July 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 3 June 2024 |
Álvaro López Ratón (born 29 January 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Greek Super League club Lamia.
Born in O Carballiño, Ourense, Galicia, Ratón joined Valencia CF's youth setup in 2007, aged 13, after spells at CD Arenteiro and Pabellón CF. He subsequently represented Deportivo de La Coruña and Montañeros CF as a youth, before signing for Arroyo CP in 2012.[1]
After making no appearances for Arroyo, Ratón left the club in December 2012 and moved to Algeciras CF in Tercera División.[2] He made his senior debut on 10 February 2013, starting in a 2–0 home win against CD Alcalá.
Ratón joined Real Betis' reserve team also in the fourth level in June 2013, after impressing on a trial.[3] After being rarely used, he signed with CF Villanovense on 17 July 2014.[4]
On 12 June 2015 Ratón moved to another reserve team, Real Zaragoza B in the fourth division.[5] On 15 July of the following year, after being an undisputed starter, he renewed his contract until 2019 and was definitely promoted to the first team.[6]
Ratón made his professional debut on 7 September, starting in a 1–2 Copa del Rey home loss against Real Valladolid.[7] He made his Segunda División debut on 23 October, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 away draw against the same opponent.[8]
After overtaking Xabi Irureta and Sebastián Saja in his first season, Ratón spent the following years as a backup to Cristian Álvarez. On 2 June 2023, he left the club after eight seasons as his contract was due to expire.[9]
On 24 June 2023, Ratón moved abroad to join Polish second division side Wisła Kraków on a one-year deal.[10] He made two Polish Cup appearances during the 2023–24 season, in two 2–1 victories over Ekstraklasa clubs Widzew Łódź and Piast Gliwice,[11] as Wisła went on to win the final against Pogoń Szczecin on 2 May 2024.[12]
On 26 April 2024, his contract was extended for another year.[13] He made no further appearances for Wisła past that point, and left the club by mutual consent on 13 June 2024.[14]
On 4 July 2024, Ratón signed with Super League Greece club Lamia.[15]
Ratón earned his first cap for Galicia in the region's first match in eight years on 31 May 2024, coming on as a substitute in the 33th minute of a 0–2 friendly loss to Panama.[16]
Wisła Kraków