Álvaro Ratón Explained

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.

Club career

Early career

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]

Zaragoza

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]

Wisła Kraków

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]

Lamia

On 4 July 2024, Ratón signed with Super League Greece club Lamia.[15]

International career

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]

Honours

Wisła Kraków

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Álvaro Ratón, de O Carballiño a Zaragoza para cumplir un sueño. Álvaro Ratón, from O Carballiño to Zaragoza to fulfill a dream. GaliFutbol. es. 10 June 2016. 21 August 2016.
  2. Web site: Alvaro Ratón, portero del Arroyo, ultima su marcha. Alvaro Ratón, goalkeeper of Arroyo, concludes his departure. El Periódico de Extremadura. es. 26 December 2012. 21 August 2016.
  3. Web site: El Betis ficha a Marc Mas, del Sant Andreu, y someterá a prueba al meta Álvaro Ratón. Betis sign Marc Mas, from Sant Andreu, and will offer a trial to goalkeeper Álvaro Ratón. El Correo de Andalucía. es. 20 June 2013. 21 August 2016.
  4. Web site: Álvaro Ratón llega del Betis B para defender la portería del Villanovense. Álvaro Ratón arrives from Betis B to defend the goal of Villanovense. Área Deportiva. es. 17 July 2014. 21 August 2016.
  5. Web site: El guardameta Álvaro Ratón, segundo fichaje del filial maño. Goalkeeper Álvaro Ratón, second signing of the Aragonese reserves. Vavel. es. 12 June 2015. 21 August 2016.
  6. Web site: Álvaro Ratón amplía su contrato con el Real Zaragoza hasta 2019. Álvaro Ratón extends his contract with Real Zaragoza until 2019. Real Zaragoza. es. 15 July 2016. 21 August 2016.
  7. Web site: El Valladolid quiso más que el Zaragoza. Valladolid wanted it more than Zaragoza. Marca. es. 7 September 2016. 7 September 2016.
  8. Web site: Real Valladolid y Real Zaragoza firman tablas. Real Valladolid and Real Zaragoza draw blank. Marca. es. 23 October 2016. 23 October 2016.
  9. Web site: Finaliza la relación contractual con Álvaro Ratón. Ends the contractual relationship with Álvaro Ratón. Real Zaragoza. es. 2 June 2023. 20 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Álvaro Ratón zawodnikiem Wisły . Álvaro Ratón joins Wisła . 90minut.pl . 2 July 2023 . pl . 24 June 2023.
  11. Web site: Sezon 2023/24 . 90minut.pl . 2 May 2024 . pl.
  12. Web site: Olbrzymia niespodzianka w finale Pucharu Polski. Wisła Kraków wygrała z Pogonią Szczecin [WIDEO] ]. sport.tvp.pl . 2 May 2024 . pl . 2 May 2024.
  13. Web site: Jesús Alfaro, Marc Carbó, Álvaro Ratón i Joan Román na dłużej w Wiśle . 90minut.pl . 27 April 2024 . pl.
  14. Web site: Álvaro Ratón opuszcza Wisłę Kraków . . 13 June 2024 . pl . 13 June 2024.
  15. Web site: Έναρξη συνεργασίας με Alvaro Raton . . 4 July 2024 . Greek . 4 July 2024.
  16. Web site: Alvaro Raton zagrał w reprezentacji Galicji . sport.tvp.pl . 3 June 2024 . pl . 1 June 2024.