Iván Alonso


Iván Daniel Alonso Vallejo is a Uruguayan former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the sporting director of Liga MX club Cruz Azul.
Gifted with an excellent aerial ability, he was most noted for his Alavés stint, and spent the bulk of his professional career in Spain, playing for three teams and appearing in seven La Liga seasons, three each with Alavés and Espanyol.
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Club career

Early years and Alavés

Born in Montevideo, Alonso started his professional career with local [Club Atlético Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo)|River Plate (Montevideo)|River Plate]. He moved to Spain's Alavés afterwards, scoring eight league goals – often as a substitute – in his first season while also being an important attacking element in the Basque side's UEFA Cup exploits, as he netted in the final against Liverpool, but ultimately lost 5–4 in extra time; during his spell, he formed a formidable partnership with Javi Moreno.
After playing 2003–04 in the Segunda División, Alonso stayed in that tier, moving to Real Murcia and scoring 11 goals in his debut campaign. An undisputed starter from his arrival onwards, he added 14 in 40 matches in 2006–07 as the club returned to La Liga after a three-year absence.

Espanyol

In the 2007–08 season, Alonso was again the team's top scorer at 10, but they would be nonetheless immediately relegated. In January 2009, however, he returned to the top flight, joining Espanyol for €2.4 million on a deal running until the end of the season and two more. Benefitting from injuries and loss of form to legendary Raúl Tamudo he netted some important goals for the Catalans, including two at Almería on 23 May 2009 which guaranteed their permanence in the top division a further year.
On 23 September 2009, Alonso scored in the club's first win of the 2009–10 campaign, the first ever at new Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, against Málaga, and dedicated it to Daniel Jarque, deceased in the team's preseason in Italy. He would lose his starting job following the arrival, in January 2010, of Dani Osvaldo, on loan; however, on 11 April, one day after his 31st birthday, he managed to add his name to the scoresheet in Espanyol's 3–0 home victory over Atlético Madrid, having played only one minute after having replaced precisely the Argentine.

Later career

In June 2011, after 11 years in Spain, the 32-year-old Alonso moved countries and signed with [Deportivo Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Toluca F.C.|Toluca] of Mexico, being the Liga MX's top scorer in his only season even though the team could only rank in 12th position overall.
In early July 2012, Alonso left the Red Devils because of a heart condition, subsequently retiring from football – his doctor advised him not to play with Toluca as the high altitude of the city might worsen his condition. In early 2013, however, he returned to the sport, joining hometown's Nacional. He scored 23 goals in the 2014–15 season, helping his team win the Uruguayan Primera División for the 45th time in history.
Alonso announced his retirement in April 2018, after two years in Argentina with River Plate.

Post-retirement

On 6 December 2021, Alonso was appointed director of football at Pachuca. In June 2022, he stepped down for personal reasons.
Alonso joined fellow Mexican top-tier Cruz Azul on 13 December 2023, in the same capacity.

Personal life

Alonso's younger brother, Matías, was also a footballer and a forward. He too began his career at River Plate.
His cousin Diego Alonso also played several years in Spain.

Honours

Alavés
Nacional
River Plate
Individual