Diego Alves

Diego Alves Carreira (born 24 June 1985), known as Diego Alves, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club Flamengo.

Having begun his career at Atletico Mineiro, he spent most of it in Spain in the service of Almeria and Valencia, making 269 La Liga appearances both teams combined during exactly one decade. A renowned penalty kick saver, he blocked a record 23 spot-kicks in Spain's top flight. Later in his career, he won several honours with Flamengo, including the Copa Libertadores in 2019.

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 America Centenario.

Club Career

Atletico Mineiro / Almeria

Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro. Having started professionally at Clube Atletico Mineiro, he moved to UD Almeria 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 Cobeno, 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 Cobeno 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 Almeria were already saved from relegation); in April 2010, his agent stated a move away from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos was being considered.

On 20 November 2010, Alves was in goal as Almeria lost 8–0 at home to 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 Llore

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