Iker Álvarez Explained

Iker Álvarez
Fullname:Iker Álvarez de Eulate Molné
Birth Date:2001 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Andorra la Vella, Andorra
Height:1.90 m
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Villarreal
Clubnumber:31
Youthclubs1:Inter Club d'Escaldes
Youthyears2:–2016
Youthclubs2:FC Andorra
Youthyears3:2016–2017
Youthclubs3:Gimnàstic Manresa
Youthyears4:2017–2019
Youthclubs4:Roda
Years1:2019–2021
Clubs1:Villarreal C
Caps1:29
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–
Clubs2:Villarreal B
Caps2:76
Goals2:0
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Villarreal
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2015–2017
Nationalteam1:Andorra U17
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2017–2019
Nationalteam2:Andorra U19
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2018–2021
Nationalteam3:Andorra U21
Nationalcaps3:11
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2021–
Nationalteam4:Andorra
Nationalcaps4:23
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:13 Auguste 2024
Nationalteam-Update:13 Auguste 2024

Iker Álvarez de Eulate Molné (born 25 July 2001) is an Andorran footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Villarreal and the Andorra national team.

Club career

Álvarez represented Inter Club d'Escaldes,[1] FC Andorra and Club Gimnàstic Manresa before joining Villarreal CF's youth categories in 2017; he was initially assigned to affiliate club CD Roda.[2] He returned to the structure of the Yellow Submarine in 2019, being assigned to the C-team in Tercera División.

Álvarez had his first call up for Villarreal's first team ahead of their UEFA Europa League last 16 second leg at home to FC Dynamo Kyiv on 18 March 2021.[3] He remained on the bench as second-choice Sergio Asenjo played in the 2–0 (4–0 aggregate) victory.[4]

Álvarez first appeared with the reserves on 9 May 2021, starting in a 4–3 Segunda División B home loss against FC Barcelona B. He was definitely promoted to the B's for the 2021–22 season, sharing the starting spot with Filip Jörgensen as the side achieved promotion to Segunda División.

Álvarez made his professional debut on 29 August 2022, starting in a 3–0 away loss against Granada CF. On 21 June 2023, after establishing himself as a starter for the B-team after Jörgensen was constantly involved in first team duties, he renewed his contract until 2026.[5]

International career

Álvarez made his international debut for Andorra on 28 March 2021 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Poland, losing 3–0 in Warsaw.[6]

Personal life

Iker is the son of former footballer Koldo Álvarez, who was capped for the Andorra national team and later appointed as the team's manager.[1]

Career statistics

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Villarreal B2020–21Segunda División B1010
2021–22Primera División RFEF18020200
2022–23Segunda División230230
2023–24320320
Career totals7400020760

International career

[7]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Andorra202150
202260
202310
2024120
Total240

Honours

Villarreal

2020–21[3] [8]

Notes and References

  1. News: López-Egea . Miquel . Iker Álvarez de Eulate, Porter del CD Roda i de la selecció sub-21: "L'objectiu és ser porter del Villarreal i acabar jugant a la Primera Divisió" . Iker Álvarez de Eulate, Goalkeeper of CD Roda and the under-21 team: "The goal is to be Villarreal's goalkeeper and end up playing in the First Division" . El Periòdic d'Andorra. 3 April 2019 . 28 March 2021 . ca.
  2. Web site: Iker Álvarez, portero de calidad y altura. Iker Álvarez, goalkeeper of quality and height. Levante-EMV. es. 13 November 2017. 8 July 2023.
  3. News: Iker Álvarez, convocat amb el primer equip del Vila-real. Iván Álvarez, selected for Villarreal's first team. El Periòdic d'Andorra. 21 December 2021 . 19 March 2021 . Catalan.
  4. News: Gonzalo . Juanjo . El Villarreal disfruta al son de Gerard Moreno. Villarreal enjoy themselves to the sound of Gerard Moreno. 21 December 2021 . . 18 March 2021 . Spanish.
  5. Web site: Iker Álvarez 2026. Villarreal CF. es. 21 June 2023. 8 July 2023.
  6. News: Un Lewandowski en racha firma un doblete en la victoria de Polonia sobre Andorra. A Lewandowski on a hot streak scores a brace in Poland's victory over Andorra. 21 December 2021 . . 28 March 2021 . Spanish.
  7. Web site: Iker Álvarez . eu-football.info . 4 June 2021.
  8. News: Iker Álvarez llueix la bandera andorrana en la celebració grogueta. Iker Álvarez flies the Andorran flag in the yellow celebration. 21 December 2021 . El Periòdic d'Andorra . 28 May 2021 . Catalan.