Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Álvarez made his senior debut at only 17, competing with RCD Espanyol's reserves in the Tercera División.

On 6 March 2011, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, replacing fellow youth graduate David García for the last two minutes of a 1–0 away loss to Levante UD.

[2] However, he underwent surgery in late May due to a cardiovascular disease,[3] only returning to the fields six months later in the 4–1 away win against Rayo Vallecano.

[4] Álvarez scored his first competitive goal for Espanyol on 15 January 2014, helping to a 4–2 home victory over AD Alcorcón in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

[6] On 20 July 2017, Álvarez joined Russian Premier League club FC Arsenal Tula on a two-year contract.