Former defender of the Olympique de Marseille, Alvaro Gonzalez, made a return to Spain after five years in Asia. The 35-year-old signed a two-season contract with the CD Tenerife, a team in the third Spanish division, the Primera Federación. This career choice, although surprising for some, is motivated by the attractiveness of the Canary Islands’ living environment. The club noted the arrival of an experienced player, with leadership and strong team spirit, who will provide a solid defence experience.

Gonzalez, with nearly 400 professional games, had been recruited by OM in 2019 under the direction of André Villas-Boas and had quickly established himself as a key element of the Marseille defence. His first season, marked by a second place in Ligue 1, remains an excellent memory for the fans. He distinguished himself in particular during direct confrontations against Paris Saint-Germain, where his duels with Neymar marked the minds. However, Jorge Sampaoli’s arrival as a new coach marked a turning point, and the Spanish defender was gradually turned towards the release in 2022.

After his departure from OM, Alvaro Gonzalez had experiences in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiya, then in Malaysia with Johor Darul Tazim. This atypical journey distanced him from the European spotlight, before returning to Spain at a more modest level, but in an ideal environment to conclude his career. At the age of 35, he entered this new stage with the desire to bring his experience to an ambitious team, leaving behind him a positive memory among Marseille fans for his commitment and irreproachable state of mind.