Álvarez becomes an official Ajax player at the age of 21 on July 22, 2019. He signs a contract that binds him to Ajax until June 30, 2024, after joining from the Mexican Club America. A little over a month later, on August 17, 2019, he wears the white-red-white shirt for the first time in an official match, making his debut for Ajax 1 in a 4-1 victory against VVV Venlo.
Dazzling start
In his first season, the Mexican eventually makes twelve appearances in the Eredivisie, three Cup matches, six UEFA Champions League games, one UEFA Europa League match, and one match in the Champions League qualifying round. Álvarez scores his first goal for Ajax in that qualifying round. In a buzzing Johan Cruijff ArenA on August 28, 2019, he heads Ajax into a 1-0 lead against APOEL Nicosia after 43 minutes. His goal sets the stage for a 2-0 victory that secures a spot for Ajax in the Champions League group stage.
Álvarez also scores in his first Champions League match for Ajax. In the home game against LOSC Lille (3-0 victory), he scores Ajax's second goal. Despite his promising start in Amsterdam, Álvarez struggles to secure a regular starting position in his first season.
In the 2020/2021 season, he manages to do so. After frequently getting off the bench in the first half of the year, the Mexican rarely misses a spot in the starting eleven from the beginning of 2021. Until his departure in 2023, Álvarez increasingly becomes a key figure within the Amsterdam ranks.
The Mexican starts to feel more at home, both on and off the pitch. Alongside his family, he settles in the capital city and enjoys everything Amsterdam has to offer. The first sporting success comes quickly: in 2021, Álvarez wins both the league championship and the Dutch Cup. His comfort off the pitch results in a memorable moment at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on October 27, 2021. During the event 'Our Beloved Red and White', he extends his contract on the field for one more year, linking him to Ajax until mid-2025.
Crucial goals
In the 2021/2022 season, Álvarez becomes an important part of Erik ten Hag's championship-winning team, playing 31 league matches and scoring five times. It is noteworthy that the Mexican scores his first six goals all at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. His first goal outside Amsterdam comes on May 8, 2022. In the away match against AZ, Álvarez scores the crucial equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw, leading Ajax to clinch the 36th league title three days later with a 5-0 victory over sc Heerenveen. The defensive midfielder manages to find the net again that match.
When we look at all thirteen goals scored by the Mexican, it stands out that during his time at Ajax, only Davy Klaassen (eleven) and Sébastien Haller (eight) have scored more headers than Álvarez (six).
100 appearances
Álvarez joined the Club of 100 after the home match against PEC Zwolle on April 30, 2022. Besides being the first Mexican player in Ajax 1 since his debut, he becomes the first Mexican player to enter Ajax's prestigious Club of 100 on that Saturday evening.
However, the month of April 2022 starts even more beautifully for Álvarez and his family. After the home match against Sparta (2-1 victory) on April 9, 2022, the Ajax player is surprised by his own family and the club. He is led to the center of the field to reveal the gender of his unborn child. At the edge of the field, he kicks and bursts a football, after which a pink cloud floats through the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The Álvarez family is expecting a girl.
In Álvarez's final season, the Mexican adds the necessary grit to Ajax's game. Playing as a defensive midfielder and operating in the backline, he participates in 44 official matches in his final season. Sadly, he cannot crown his efforts with any prizes.
147 times
In the end, Álvarez's tally reaches 147 appearances for Ajax 1. He has most frequently played alongside Dusan Tadic. Of the 147 matches the Mexican has played for Ajax, he has shared the field with the Serbian 145 times. Davy Klaassen (114), Jurriën Timber (108), Daley Blind (103), and his buddy Lisandro Martínez (89) complete in the top five.
With his head held high and full of pride, Álvarez now bids farewell to Ajax and his beloved city, Amsterdam. The Ajax player serves as an example for the Mexican youth in his home country: breaking through in Europe and making the move to a major international club.
