In this Mexican name, the surname is Fidalgo and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.
Álvaro Fidalgo
Fidalgo with Mexico in 2026
Personal information
Full name Álvaro Fidalgo Fernández
Date of birth (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 (age 29)
Place of birth Hevia, Siero, Spain[1]
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Betis
Number 15
Youth career
2003–2005 Condal
2005–2010 Oviedo
2010–2012 Sporting Gijón
2012–2016 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2020 Real Madrid B 89 (15)
2016–2017 → Rayo Majadahonda (loan) 31 (0)
2018 Real Madrid 0 (0)
2020–2021 Castellón 22 (0)
2021 → América (loan) 12 (0)
2021–2026 América 183 (20)
2026– Betis 9 (1)
International career‡
2013 Spain U16 2 (0)
2013 Spain U17 1 (0)
2026– Mexico 6 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23 May 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 24 June 2026

Álvaro Fidalgo Fernández (born 9 April 1997), also known as “Maguito”,[2] is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Betis. Born in Spain, he represents the Mexico national team.

Club career

Real Madrid

Fidalgo with Real Madrid Castilla in 2018

Born in Hevia, Siero, Asturias, Fidalgo joined Real Madrid's La Fábrica in 2012, from Sporting de Gijón.[3][4] On 21 June 2016, after finishing his formation, he was loaned to Segunda División B side CF Rayo Majadahonda for the season.[5]

Fidalgo made his senior debut on 20 August 2016, starting in a 0–0 draw against Sestao River Club. In July 2017, after being a regular starter, he returned to his parent club and was assigned to the reserves also in the third division.

Fidalgo made his first team debut for Real Madrid on 6 December 2018, coming on as a late substitute for Vinícius Júnior in a 6–1 home routing of UD Melilla, for the season's Copa del Rey.[6][7] For the 2019–20 season, he was named team captain of Raúl's Castilla.

Castellón

On 25 August 2020, Fidalgo signed a three-year deal with Segunda División newcomers CD Castellón.[8] He made his professional debut on 12 September, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jorge Fernández in a 2–1 away win against SD Ponferradina.[9]

Club América

On 1 February 2021, despite featuring regularly at Castellón, Fidalgo joined Mexican club América on a season-long loan.[10] On 2 June 2021, Club América confirmed the permanent signing of Fidalgo. During his time with the club, he helped the team secure three league championships.[11]

Betis

On 1 February 2026, Fidalgo returned to Spain to join Real Betis.[12]

International career

In February 2026, FIFA approved Fidalgo’s request to switch his international allegiance to Mexico, having previously represented Spain at youth level.[13] The following month, Javier Aguirre called him up and made his senior debut on 28 March in a friendly against Portugal.[14]

Fidalgo was named in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted on home soil.[15] He scored his first goal in the group stage match against the Czech Republic.[16]

Personal life

Fidalgo's grandfather Rafael was also a footballer. A defender, he played professionally for UP Langreo, Real Oviedo and Caudal Deportivo.[3] He gained Mexican citizenship after spending more than 5 years in the country.[17]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 23 May 2026[18]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Madrid Castilla 2016–17 Segunda División B 0 0 — — — 0 0
2017–18 Segunda División B 26 4 — — — 26 4
2018–19 Segunda División B 38 5 — — 2[a] 0 40 5
2019–20 Segunda División B 25 6 — — — 25 6
Total 89 15 — — 2 0 91 15
Rayo Majadahonda (loan) 2016–17 Segunda División B 31 0 — — 2[a] 0 33 0
Real Madrid 2018–19 La Liga 0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
Castellón 2020–21 Segunda División 22 0 1 0 — — 23 0
América (loan) 2020–21 Liga MX 12 0 — 4[b] 0 — 16 0
América 2021–22 Liga MX 39 6 — 3[b] 0 — 42 6
2022–23 Liga MX 41 3 — — — 41 3
2023–24 Liga MX 41 2 — 8[b] 0 4[c] 0 53 2
2024–25 Liga MX 42 8 — 4[b] 2 6[d] 0 52 10
2025–26 Liga MX 21 1 — — 3[e] 0 24 1
Total 196 20 — 19 2 13 0 228 22
Betis 2025–26 La Liga 9 1 1 0 3[f] 0 — 13 1
Total 347 36 3 0 22 2 17 0 389 38
  1. ^ a b Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League/Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
  4. ^ One appearance in FIFA Club World Cup play-in, one appearance in Campeones Cup, one appearance in Supercopa de la Liga MX, three appearances in Leagues Cup
  5. ^ One appearance in Campeón de Campeones, two appearances in Leagues Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 24 June 2026[19]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Mexico 2026 6 1
Total 6 1
Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fidalgo goal.
List of international goals scored by Álvaro Fidalgo
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 24 June 2026 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico 6  Czech Republic 3–0 3–0 2026 FIFA World Cup

Honours

América

  • Liga MX: Apertura 2023,[20] Clausura 2024,[21] Apertura 2024
  • Campeón de Campeones: 2024
  • Supercopa de la Liga MX: 2024
  • Campeones Cup: 2024

Individual

  • Liga MX Best XI: Guardianes 2021,[22] Apertura 2024,[23] Clausura 2025[24]
  • CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Tournament: 2021[25]
  • Liga MX All-Star: 2022[26]
  • Liga MX Player of the Month: February 2025[27]

References

  1. ^ https://www.ccisoccer.com/news/alvaro-fidalgo-opens-door-to-playing-for-mexico/
  2. ^ "'All Star' Álvaro Fidalgo: "Exportaría el 'Partido de las Estrellas' a LaLiga"". MARCA (in Spanish). 10 August 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Fidalgo, el chaval que recordaba a Iniesta y que ahora quiere convencer a Zidane" [Fidalgo, the youngster who reminded of Iniesta and who now wants to convince Zidane] (in Spanish). Marca. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Álvaro Fidalgo, un centrocampista de ley" [Álvaro Fidalgo, a draft central midfielder] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Acuerdo con el Real Madrid por Álvaro Fidalgo" [Agreement with Real Madrid for Álvaro Fidalgo] (in Spanish). CF Rayo Majadahonda. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Fran Garcia and Alvaro Fidalgo handed senior debuts by Solari". Marca. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  7. ^ "El sierense Álvaro Fidalgo debuta con el Real Madrid" [Sierense Álvaro Fidalgo debuts with Real Madrid] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  8. ^ "FICHAJE: Álvaro Fidalgo, nuevo jugador del CD Castellón" [SIGNING: Álvaro Fidalgo, new player of CD Castellón] (in Spanish). CD Castellón. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  9. ^ "La victoria del debutante Castellón llega en la última jugada y de rebote" [Th victory of the debutant Castellón arrives in the last play and from a rebound] (in Spanish). Marca. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Comunicado oficial | Álvaro Fidalgo" [Official announcement | Álvaro Fidalgo] (in Spanish). CD Castellón. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Álvaro Fidalgo sale del América tras cinco años en el club: Fuentes". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 31 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  12. ^ "El Real Betis Balompié y América de México acuerdan el traspaso de Álvaro Fidalgo". realbetisbalompie (in European Spanish). Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  13. ^ "FIFA: Álvaro Fidalgo ya es elegible por México". ESPN.com.mx (in Spanish). 6 February 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Fidalgo celebra llamado de México con su debut en Europa League". ESPN.com.mx (in Spanish). 19 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Al Llamado | Convocatoria de la SNM para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026" [Call-up | Mexico national team squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup] (in Spanish). Mexican Football Federation. 31 May 2026. Archived from the original on 1 June 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  16. ^ Lorca, A.; González, P. (26 June 2026). "El asturiano Álvaro Fidalgo hace historia en México entre goles y lágrimas: "Es un momento especial, va por mi abuelo materno, al que perdí hace dos meses"". La Nueva España. Oviedo. Prensa Ibérica. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  17. ^ "Álvaro Fidalgo dijo lo que nadie esperaba sobre representar al Tri en el futuro: "Soy mexicano"". Águilas Monumental. 1 February 2026.
  18. ^ Álvaro Fidalgo at Soccerway. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  19. ^ Álvaro Fidalgo at National-Football-Teams.com
  20. ^ Hernandez, Cesar (18 December 2023). "Club América extends Liga MX record to 14 titles after defeating Tigres". ESPN. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  21. ^ Hernandez, Cesar (27 May 2024). "América secure back-to-back Liga MX titles with win over Cruz Azul". ESPN. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  22. ^ https://www.tudn.com/futbol/liga-mx/liga-mx-anuncia-once-ideal-torneo-guardianes-2021
  23. ^ Camacho, Luis (18 December 2024). "El Once Ideal del Apertura 2024 de la Liga MX: América se lleva el protagonismo total tras conquistar el Tricampeonato". Marca México.
  24. ^ "América es ninguneado en el once ideal del Clausura 2025; Toluca suma 6 jugadores". Marca México. 28 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Funes Mori, Ochoa highlight 2021 SCCL Team Of The Tournament". CONCACAF Champions League. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  26. ^ "LIGA MX announces roster for 2022 MLS All-Star Game at Allianz Field". Major League Soccer. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  27. ^ @LigaBBVAMX (7 March 2025). "Un premio merecido para un Maguito" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 April 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).