1. Overview
Álvaro "Aldo" Pedro Duscher is an Argentine former professional footballer who primarily played as a defensive midfielder, known for his significant physical presence on the field. He spent the majority of his professional career in Spain, notably with Deportivo de La Coruña, where he played for seven seasons. Duscher also had a two-year spell in Portugal with Sporting CP. Following his retirement as a player at the age of 34, he transitioned into a managerial career and currently serves as the coach for the Paraguay national under-20 team.
2. Personal Information
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Álvaro Pedro Duscher was born on March 22, 1979, in Esquel, a city located in the Chubut Province of Argentina. He began his football journey in his home country, developing his skills from a young age.
2.2. Nationality and Physical Attributes
Duscher holds dual nationality, being both an Argentine and an Austrian citizen. Throughout his playing career, his physical attributes were notable, standing at 71 in (180 cm) tall and weighing 187 lb (85 kg). These physical characteristics contributed to his reputation as a strong and imposing presence in the midfield.
3. Playing Career
Álvaro Duscher's professional football career spanned over a decade, taking him through clubs in Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Ecuador, Cyprus, and Greece.
3.1. Youth Career
Duscher began his youth career in 1995, joining the academy of Newell's Old Boys, a prominent club in Argentina. He continued his development with Newell's Old Boys until 1997, laying the foundation for his professional debut.
3.2. Professional Club Career
Duscher's professional club career saw him play for nine different teams across Europe and South America, accumulating a total of 348 appearances and scoring 12 goals.
3.2.1. Newell's Old Boys
Duscher made his professional debut with Newell's Old Boys in 1996. He played for the senior team from 1997 to 1998, making 31 appearances and scoring 1 goal before moving to Europe.
3.2.2. Sporting CP
In 1998, at the age of 19, Duscher moved to Europe to join Portuguese club Sporting CP. He spent two seasons with Sporting, from 1998 to 2000, where he made 55 appearances and scored 6 goals. During his second season, in the 1999-2000 campaign, he played a part in helping Sporting CP win the Primeira Liga title.
3.2.3. Deportivo de La Coruña
Following his successful spell in Portugal, Duscher was signed by Spanish club Deportivo de La Coruña in 2000 for a transfer fee of 13.00 M EUR. He remained with Deportivo for seven seasons, from 2000 to 2007, making 157 appearances in total. In his first year, the 2000-01 season, he featured in only 5 La Liga matches. However, in the subsequent 2001-02 season, he made 21 appearances, contributing to Deportivo's success in winning the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España. Over the years, he gained more playing time, being seen as a complement and future replacement for the veteran Brazilian midfielder Mauro Silva. His contract with Deportivo expired in 2007.
3.2.4. Racing de Santander
In July 2007, after his contract with Deportivo expired, Duscher signed with Racing de Santander. He was a key member of the team during the 2007-08 campaign, making 34 appearances and scoring 5 goals. His contributions helped Racing achieve a historic first-ever qualification for the UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League). On December 9, 2007, in a 3-1 home victory against Mallorca, he scored his first goal in the Spanish top division, in what was his eighth season in the league. This goal was noted alongside Jorge López becoming the team's top scorer, or pichichi.
3.2.5. Sevilla FC
In August 2008, Duscher agreed to a three-year contract with Sevilla FC. He played for Sevilla from 2008 to 2010, appearing in 37 matches. He scored his first goal for the Andalusian club on February 4, 2009, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, a 2-1 home win against Athletic Bilbao. However, Sevilla ultimately lost the tie on a 2-4 aggregate. Duscher secured a position in the midfield following the departures of Seydou Keita and Christian Poulsen, contributing to Sevilla's third-place finish in the league. In the 2009-10 season, Sevilla finished fourth, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League. Despite the team's success, Duscher's appearances were limited to just 10 games, with only three being full matches.
3.2.6. RCD Espanyol
Following the 2009-10 season, Duscher terminated his contract with Sevilla and signed a one-year deal with fellow La Liga side RCD Espanyol in August 2010. He played for Espanyol from 2010 to 2012, making 19 appearances.
3.2.7. Barcelona SC
In late July 2011, while still under contract with Espanyol, Duscher joined Barcelona S.C. of Ecuador on a one-year loan deal. He played 7 matches for the club during the 2011-2012 season.
3.2.8. Enosis Neon Paralimni FC
After being released by Espanyol in the summer of 2012, Duscher signed with Enosis Neon Paralimni FC in the Cypriot First Division. He made 8 appearances for the club in 2012 but stayed for only three months.
3.2.9. Veria FC
In early February 2013, Duscher moved to Greece, joining Veria F.C.. Although he was officially presented as a new player, he failed to make any official appearances for the club. He retired shortly after, at the age of 34, marking the end of his professional playing career.
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newell's Old Boys | 1997-1998 | 31 | 1 |
| Sporting CP | 1998-2000 | 55 | 6 |
| Deportivo de La Coruña | 2000-2007 | 157 | 0 |
| Racing de Santander | 2007-2008 | 34 | 5 |
| Sevilla FC | 2008-2010 | 37 | 0 |
| RCD Espanyol | 2010-2012 | 19 | 0 |
| Barcelona S.C. (loan) | 2011-2012 | 7 | 0 |
| Enosis Neon Paralimni FC | 2012 | 8 | 0 |
| Veria F.C. | 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 348 | 12 |
4. International Career
Álvaro Duscher represented Argentina at various levels, from youth teams to the senior national squad.
4.1. Argentina National Team
Duscher was capped three times for the senior Argentina national team. All of his international appearances for the senior squad came in 2005.
4.2. Youth National Teams
Duscher also played for Argentina's youth national teams throughout his early career. He made 6 appearances for the Argentina U-17 team in 1995. In 1999, he played 4 matches for the Argentina U-20 team. He later represented the Argentina U-23 team in 2000, appearing in 7 games.
| Team | Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina U-17 | 1995 | 6 | 0 |
| Argentina U-20 | 1999 | 4 | 0 |
| Argentina U-23 | 2000 | 7 | 0 |
| Argentina | 2005 | 3 | 0 |
5. Player Style and Characteristics
Álvaro Duscher primarily played as a defensive midfielder or center half. He was renowned for his physical presence and robust style of play on the pitch. His strong physical ability allowed him to excel in breaking up opposition attacks and controlling the midfield.
6. Major Incidents and Anecdotes
Throughout his career, Álvaro Duscher was involved in several notable incidents and was associated with a unique anecdote.
One of the most significant incidents occurred on April 10, 2002, during a UEFA Champions League game between Deportivo de La Coruña and Manchester United. Duscher's tackle on then-England national team star David Beckham resulted in a metatarsal bone breakage in Beckham's foot. This injury nearly cost Beckham his participation in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a major tournament for which he was a key player.
An interesting anecdote about Duscher is that he owns a dam in his hometown. Because of this, he was sometimes affectionately referred to as "Dam" on online forums and by fans.
7. Managerial Career
After retiring from professional football at the age of 34, Álvaro Duscher transitioned into a career in football management. He is currently the manager of the Paraguay national under-20 football team.