Diego Alves

Diego Alves Carreira (born 24 June 1985), known as Diego Alves, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Valencia CF as a goalkeeper.
Having begun his career at Atlético Mineiro, he spent most of his career in Spain in the service of Almería and Valencia, making over 200 La Liga appearances both teams combined.
Alves was part of the Brazilian squad which won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, and made his senior international debut in 2011. He represented the latter at the Copa América Centenario.

Atlético Mineiro / Almería

Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro. Having started professionally at Clube Atlético Mineiro, he moved to UD Almería on 24 July 2007, as the Andalusians had just achieved a first ever promotion to La Liga. Initially the backup to another newly signed, David Cobeño, he eventually became the undisputed starter, helping the club overachieve for a final eighth place in the league with notable performances against, among others, Real Madrid.

After Cobeño left for Rayo Vallecano in August 2008, Alves remained first-choice during 2008–09, but suffered an injury in the final stretch of the season. Fully recovered for the start of the following campaign, he played in all the matches (safe for 30 minutes against Valencia CF, after he had been sent off, and the last round against Sevilla FC, as Almería was already saved from relegation); in April 2010, his agent stated a move away from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos was being considered.

On 20 November 2010, Alves was in goal as Almería lost 0–8 at home against FC Barcelona, a defeat which cost manager Juan Manuel Lillo his post. In mid-May 2011, after his team's top flight relegation, Valencia chairman Manuel Llorente confirmed the signing of the player.

Valencia

Alves as a Valencia player in 2011

Alves made his official debut for the Che on 13 September 2011, in a 0–0 away draw against K.R.C. Genk for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. He backed-up Vicente Guaita in the league, however, until Guaita picked up a serious hand injury.

Alves also appeared in the second Champions League group stage match, at home to Chelsea, where he had a series of superb saves, including a string of three in two minutes – two point-blank against Ramires and Fernando Torres, and a third when Valencia man Víctor Ruiz accidentally diverted the ensuing corner towards his own goal – in an eventual 1–1 draw.

In July 2014, Alves signed a new five-year deal with Valencia that kept him at the Mestalla Stadium until 2019. In the last game of the season, that also marked his 100th league appearance for the club, away against former side Almería, he tore his knee ligament in the 72nd minute, later undergoing surgery and being sidelined until November.

Alves was chosen to represent Brazil at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, as backup to Renan. He did not receive any playing time, as the national team went on to win a bronze medal.

Alves made his debut for the full side on 10 November 2011, in a 2–0 friendly win with Gabon. He also played four days later, against Egypt (same score).

Alves was selected by coach Dunga for the 2015 Copa América in Chile, but withdrew due to a knee injury to be replaced by Neto.

Alves made his 15th penalty save against Sevilla FC on 25 January 2015, which took his record to 42.85% of all attempts faced. Widely regarded as a specialist in the matter, he once stated that a penalty is "a psychological battle between the goalkeeper and the taker".

On 9 May 2015, after denying Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Alves became the goalkeeper with the most penalty saves in the history of the Spanish top flight with 16 out of 37, equalling Andoni Zubizarreta who saved 16 from 102. He surpassed the latter on 25 September 2016 during a 2–1 away win over CD Leganés, following it up with two saves the next weekend – including a spectacular block from Antoine Griezmann shot – but in a 0–2 home loss to Atlético Madrid.

Club

As of 15 May 2016

International

As of 18 November 2014

Club

Atlético Mineiro

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2006
• Campeonato Mineiro: 2007

Country

• Summer Olympic Games: Bronze medal 2008