Ricky Álvarez

Ricardo "Ricky" Gabriel Álvarez (Spanish pronunciation: [riˈkaɾðo ɣaˈβɾjel ˈalβaɾes]; born 12 April 1988) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Álvarez retired from football at the end of 2021.

Álvarez began his club career in Argentina in 2008 with Vélez Sársfield. His performances earned him a move to Italian club Internazionale in 2011, where he remained until 2015. He joined English side Sunderland on-loan during the 2014–15 season, a move which was to become permanent should Sunderland retain their place in the Premier League for the following season. The deal ended in a legal dispute with Inter over the contract with the Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruling in Inter's favour. He returned to Italy, joining Sampdoria as a free agent in 2016. At international level, Álvarez was a member of the Argentine squad that reached the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final.

As a child, Álvarez played papi fut for Caballito Juniors and Club Parque, then had a brief stay in Boca Juniors youth divisions.

Álvarez played his first professional game with Vélez Sársfield in 2008. Following his debut, he suffered a knee cruciate ligament injury that stalled his progression on the first team. He then was part of the 2009 Clausura-winning squad, playing only 18 minutes in the 1–0 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy.

The midfielder's breakthrough with the team finally came during the 2010 Clausura, in which Vélez, forced by the tight fixture of the Copa Libertadores, played mostly with substitutes. He scored his first goal in a 1–2 defeat to River Plate at the Estadio Monumental and received his first red card from referee Javier Collado in Vélez's 1–3 defeat to Racing Club for complaining about a yellow card. He totalled 11 matches during the tournament (4 as a starter) and scored one goal.

Álvarez then played 15 games (2 starts) during Vélez's runner-up 2010 Apertura campaign. He also scored his second professional goal in his team's 1–0 home victory over Lanús for the 14th fixture.

During the first semester of 2011, Álvarez received significant fan and media praise for his league and Copa Libertadores' matches. He also showed versatility by playing all midfield positions. During that semester, he helped his team win the 2011 Clausura and reach the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.^{[citation needed]}

On 5 July 2011, Álvarez joined Italian club Internazionale after the club paid Vélez a €12.8 million transfer fee for 90% of his rights. He debuted officially for his club in the 2011 Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Milan. Under the coaching of Claudio Ranieri, Álvarez began to establish himself in the team and showed that he can play as a trequartista. His first official goal for Inter came against Trabzonspor on 22 November 2011 after a neat one-two with international teammate Diego Milito. He scored again in his side's 4–1 victory over Lecce, a tap in from a well worked cross by Yuto Nagatomo.