Who is Carlos Álvarez, the promising forward of Sevilla
The 19-year-old talent from SAnlucar La Mayor, born in 2003, has earned a place in Sevilla’s first team thanks to the guidance of coach Jorge Sampaoli and marked his debut with a goal. Alvarez Rivera has long been regarded as one of the brightest gems within the Sevillian youth system, captivating coaches and fans alike with his technical prowess and pace. At nineteen, he finally leaped into senior football, stepping up from the academy to the big stage.
The forward has spent his entire sporting life with the Nervión club, a club he has admired since childhood. He rose through the ranks with a prodigious burst of energy, skipping several steps at times as he progressed from youth teams to Sevilla Atlético in 2019, just after turning 16. His early ascent showcased a relentless drive and a natural affinity for the game that convinced many observers he was destined for higher levels.
Álvarez made his first-team debut on December 21, 2022, during the Copa del Rey’s second round against Juventud de Torremolinos. After a promising performance in which Sampaoli faced a tactical challenge in attack, the young midfielder started as a false nine and delivered a memorable showing. He played 76 minutes, contributing a goal that opened the scoring and creating several clear chances, including an opportunity that put Rafa Mir in a prime position to score.
Speaking after the game, Álvarez spoke with a mix of emotion and clarity. He revealed how surprised he felt to be trusted to start for Sevilla, a club he has supported since he was six years old. He dedicated the goal to his family, who have stood by him through every twist and turn. In his own words, the youngster emphasized the importance of the result for the team and the opportunity given by Sampaoli. He expressed happiness at donning the Sevilla shirt, noting that he would keep one of his shirts for himself and reserve another for a special family member who had always supported him.
Álvarez has long been known for his dribbling skills, his ability to operate from the wing, and his knack for delivering decisive final passes. For years he trained with the first-team group during sessions, while Lopetegui oversaw his development mainly from the sidelines. The plan was patient progression through the subsidiary, with standout performances in the Youth League and memorable displays against strong rivals. Last season, he captained his youth squad to the quarter-finals and delivered a standout performance against Rangers in the round of 16 on a muddy pitch, underscoring his character and adaptability.
When Sampaoli arrived, Álvarez became a regular in the training sessions. The Argentinian coach had previously seen him during talent evaluations and wanted to observe him up close, ensuring that the player could grow without being burdened by the team’s difficulties at the moment. The door to the first team opened as the staff recognized his commitment and potential, and Sampaoli praised the young forward for taking advantage of the opportunity. He highlighted Álvarez’s ability to contribute as a dynamic false nine, noting that his work rate and timing helped him score and influence play on a course that was far from easy for a young striker.
With his first steps into the elite, the challenge for Álvarez will be to translate promise into consistency. Expectations have risen quickly for a homegrown talent in a club where the last player from its academy to firmly establish himself in the first team was already in his late 30s. Yet, the early signs are encouraging: he has the instinct to create, the speed to threaten, and the determination to grow within Sevilla’s system. As the season unfolds, observers will be watching closely to see how he refines his role, how he integrates with the established squad, and how his development aligns with the club’s ambitions for youth to pave a path to regular first-team duty, all as noted in ongoing coverage of Sevilla’s young talents by Goal.