Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ricky Álvarez

Discover the career path of Ricky Álvarez, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Ricardo 'Ricky' Gabriel Álvarez is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Born in 1988, he began his career at Vélez Sarsfield before moving to Europe to play for clubs such as Inter Milan, Sunderland, and Sampdoria. Known for his technical skill, dribbling ability, and creative vision on the pitch, he was often deployed as a creative playmaker or a wide midfielder. Álvarez represented the Argentina national team at the international level, including being part of the squad that reached the 2014 FIFA World Cup final. After returning to his home country to conclude his career with Vélez Sarsfield, he officially retired from professional football in 2021. His career was frequently impacted by injuries, yet he remained a notable figure in Argentine football for his elegance and playmaking contributions.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Professional Debut with Vélez Sársfield

In 2008, Ricky Álvarez made his professional debut playing for the football club Vélez Sársfield; however, his early development was hampered shortly thereafter by a cruciate ligament injury to his knee.

2008: Beginning of Club Career

In 2008, Ricky Álvarez officially launched his professional club football career by joining the Argentine team Vélez Sársfield.

2009: 2009 Clausura Championship Win

During the 2009 season, Ricky Álvarez was a member of the Vélez Sársfield squad that secured the Clausura title, contributing to the effort with a substitute appearance during a 1–0 win against Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in 2009.

2010: Ricky Álvarez 2010 Apertura Campaign with Vélez

During the 2010 Apertura campaign, Ricky Álvarez participated in 15 games, including two starts, as part of the Vélez team that finished as the tournament runner-up. Additionally, in 2010, he achieved a career milestone by scoring his second professional goal during a 1–0 home victory against Lanús.

2010: Breakthrough Season with Vélez Sársfield

During the 2010 Clausura season, Ricky Álvarez achieved his professional breakthrough with Vélez Sársfield. Throughout the tournament, he appeared in 11 matches, starting 4 of them, and recorded his first professional goal during a 1-2 loss to River Plate at the Estadio Monumental. Additionally, in 2010, he received his first career red card from referee Javier Collado during a match against Racing Club following a dispute over a yellow card.

July 2011: Transfer to Inter Milan

On July 5, 2011, Ricky Álvarez officially joined the Italian football club Inter Milan. The transfer involved a payment of €12.8 million to Vélez for 90% of his playing rights, and he subsequently made his club debut during the 2011 Supercoppa Italiana.

August 2011: Call-up to Argentina's Senior Squad

In August 2011, Ricky Álvarez received his first call-up to represent the Argentina senior national football team.

September 2011: International Football Debut and Appearances

In September 2011, Álvarez made his international debut for Argentina against Venezuela on September 2nd, followed by an appearance against Nigeria on September 6th.

November 2011: First Official Inter Goal

On November 22, 2011, Ricky Álvarez scored his first official goal for Inter Milan in a match against Trabzonspor, following a successful combination play with Diego Milito.

2011: Breakout Season and 2011 Clausura Victory

During the first semester of 2011, Ricky Álvarez earned widespread recognition from fans and the media for his performances in league matches and the Copa Libertadores. During this period in 2011, he demonstrated his tactical flexibility by playing across various midfield roles and played a key part in helping his team secure the 2011 Clausura championship while also reaching the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

2011: Transfer to Inter Milan

Following strong performances in Argentina, Álvarez moved to the Italian club Inter Milan in 2011, where he would continue his career for the next several years.

2013: Ricky Álvarez 2013 Scoring Streak at Inter Milan

Throughout 2013, Ricky Álvarez achieved several individual scoring milestones for Inter Milan. He netted his first goal for the club during a 3-2 victory over Catania. On 7 April 2013, he scored twice in a 3-4 defeat to Atalanta, followed by a goal against Roma on 17 April 2013 during a Coppa Italia fixture. On 5 May 2013, he scored a penalty against Napoli, and on 8 May 2013, he reached his tenth goal for Inter during a match against Lazio.

June 2014: Call-up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

In June 2014, Ricky Álvarez received a career-defining call-up to represent his national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

September 2014: Transfer to Sunderland and Premier League Debut

In September 2014, Ricky Álvarez joined the English club Sunderland on loan with an option for a permanent transfer. During this same month, he made his Premier League debut on 13 September 2014 against Tottenham and suffered a right knee injury in a match against Swansea City that hampered his season.

2014: World Cup Qualification Appearance

During the 2014 calendar year, Álvarez made an appearance for the Argentina national team in a qualifying match for the FIFA World Cup against Bolivia.

2014: FIFA World Cup and Loan Move

In 2014, Álvarez was part of the Argentine squad that competed in the FIFA World Cup Final, while also beginning a loan spell with the English club Sunderland for the 2014–15 season.

February 2015: First Goal for Sunderland

On 3 February 2015, Ricky Álvarez scored his first and only goal for Sunderland during a 3–1 victory against Fulham in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

December 2015: Transfer Negotiations with Sampdoria

During the final days of December 2015, Ricky Álvarez was heavily linked to a potential transfer to the Italian football club Sampdoria, setting the stage for his move to the team early the following year.

2015: Conclusion of Inter Milan Tenure and Legal Dispute

The year 2015 marked the end of his time with Inter Milan and saw the culmination of a complicated legal dispute regarding his contract with Sunderland, which was ultimately settled in favor of Inter Milan by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

2015: Contract Ownership Dispute

Throughout the first half of the 2015-16 season, Ricky Álvarez's career was impacted by a formal dispute regarding the ownership of his playing contract.

June 2016: Contract Extension with Sampdoria

On 24 June 2016, Ricky Álvarez solidified his tenure with the team by signing a new three-year contract extension.

June 2016: Conclusion of Sampdoria Contract

Ricky Álvarez's contract with the Italian club Sampdoria, which he signed in January 2016, officially reached its conclusion on June 30, 2016.

2016: Signing with Sampdoria

After his legal issues were resolved, Álvarez returned to Italy in 2016 to join Sampdoria as a free agent.

2017: CAS Ruling on Sunderland-Inter Transfer Dispute

In 2017, the Court of Arbitration for Sport determined that Sunderland was obligated to pay Inter Milan a transfer fee for Ricky Álvarez. The court dismissed Sunderland's defense, noting that the club's medical staff had identified evidence of the player's previous knee surgery during his medical evaluation but failed to communicate these findings to Inter. Consequently, an appeal against the earlier FIFA ruling was denied, and because the loan period had expired without a new contract, Álvarez became a free agent, preventing Sunderland from receiving any fee upon his subsequent move to Sampdoria.

July 2018: Termination of Contract with Sampdoria

On 11 July 2018, Ricky Álvarez and Sampdoria reached a mutual agreement to officially terminate his professional contract with the club.

August 2019: FIFA Tribunal Ruling on Sunderland Liability

In August 2019, a FIFA tribunal determined that Sunderland was required to pay Velez Sarsfield €362,500 under the FIFA solidarity mechanism, while Álvarez simultaneously appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding lost earnings.

January 2021: Successful Compensation Appeal

In January 2021, Ricky Álvarez successfully won his appeal against Sunderland, resulting in an award of £4,770,000 in compensation for lost earnings during the 2015-16 season.

March 2021: Conclusion of Legal Action Against Club Doctor

Following a change in club ownership to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Sunderland dropped its £13m lawsuit against the club doctor who performed Álvarez's medical examination in March 2021, ending the related litigation.