 Born in Buenos Aires, Álvarez began his career at Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División in 1998.He also had a short spell with Arsenal de Sarandí before moving to Spain with Racing de Santander where he played three seasons with average impact, with a six-month loan stint with Segunda División side Córdoba CF in between.After another loan in the Spanish second level, with CD Tenerife, Álvarez returned to Santander, appearing in 23 matches in 2006–07 as the Cantabria team finished tenth.