Álvaro Fidalgo: «Mexico gave me special affection, I’m proud of my Asturian and Spanish roots

Betis midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo has spoken about the unique bond he shares with Mexico, stating, «I am proud to be Asturian and Spanish, but Mexico gave me a special affection.» The 27-year-old, who has enjoyed a remarkable career in Mexican football with Club América before joining Real Betis, reflected on his journey and his current role as a naturalized Mexican player preparing for the World Cup.

A Meteoric Rise

Fidalgo’s 2026 has been an unforgettable year. After a successful five-year spell at Club América, where he became an idol and earned the nickname ‘Maguito’ (Little Magician) for his skill, he moved to Real Betis in February. His arrival coincided with the team securing qualification for the Champions League, a significant achievement for the club. Now, Fidalgo is preparing to represent Mexico in his first World Cup.

Reflecting on his career highs, Fidalgo expressed immense gratitude: «Seeing it like this, it’s a lot, it sounds like a fairy tale, it sounds incredible.» He acknowledged the struggles before achieving success in both Mexico and with Betis. «Both there and here upon arrival, before we could be champions, there were years where we had to endure a lot, we had to fight. It was quite complicated, tournaments where things didn’t go well.»

He described difficult moments with passionate fan bases but ultimately celebrated the turnarounds. «We entered a great streak, we were close to winning the fourth consecutive league, it didn’t happen, but it was incredible,» he said of his time at América. For Betis, he recalled a tough debut derby loss and a near miss in the Champions League qualifiers. «Thanks to God, the team had an excellent end to the season. We recovered mentally, we returned to the football that Betis had been showing, and the Champions League prize makes everyone very happy; it’s a very important objective for the club.»

Asturian Roots and Early Steps

The conversation also turned to Fidalgo’s beginnings in a small Asturian town. «I started playing football because of my neighbor,» he explained. «We were playing at home and suddenly my mother told me that Pelayo was going to train at Condal de Noreña. I asked if I could go with them and that’s how it started.» His family history in football, with a grandfather and father who played, played a role. «They thought I didn’t like football much because I didn’t touch the ball much, but that’s where I started.» His early career in Spain saw him move through Oviedo and Sporting, the latter being a club he still holds aspirations for. «I’m a Sporting fan and I always say it: playing for Sporting is one of my career objectives.»

The Real Madrid Chapter

At 14, Fidalgo made a significant move to Real Madrid’s youth academy. «Coming to Real Madrid at 14 made me an adult from a very young age, it made me mature very quickly and see things differently.» He described the moment he was told about the possibility of joining Madrid: «I came home from school one day, or from training with Sporting… At that moment I was 14 years old, Madrid arrives, an opportunity, a train you don’t want to miss.»

Leaving home at such a young age presented challenges but ultimately fostered growth. «It forces you to grow, it makes you start being an adult, for those who want to take it that way. Being an adult from a very young age, it made me mature very quickly and see things differently.» He emphasized the need for self-reliance: «You no longer have mom or dad to solve everything for you, you have to solve things and your problems day to day.» Despite the intense focus on football and studies, he maintained a long-term relationship, showing a disciplined approach to life. «I have had a girlfriend since I was 15, we have been together for 13 years, always with a life of much control, of never straying from the path.»

Shared Talent at Valdebebas

During his time at Real Madrid’s academy, Fidalgo shared dressing rooms with future stars like Reguilón, De Frutos, Luca Zidane, Víctor Chust, Fran García, Rodrygo, and Vinícius. He believes the academy’s emphasis on competitiveness was key to the development of so many players who reached the elite. «Reaching the first team at Madrid is very difficult because only the chosen ones play, the best of the best, but they train you in a competitive way, and that’s why there are so many Madrid players in the First Division.»

Fidalgo himself made his first-team debut in the Copa del Rey against Melilla, notably replacing Vinícius. «It was fulfilling a dream, an objective, which is to debut at a club like Real Madrid,» he recalled. «It’s a match that will always stay with me for the memory.»

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Nombre | Álvaro Fidalgo |
| Club Actual | Real Betis |
| Origen | Asturias, España |
| Trayectoria destacada | Club América (México), Real Madrid (cantera) |
| Reconocimiento | Apodado ‘Maguito’ en México, clasificado para la Champions League con Betis |

For Football Español readers, Fidalgo’s story highlights the global reach of Spanish talent and the diverse paths professional footballers can take. His journey from the humble beginnings in Asturias to becoming a key player in La Liga and a potential World Cup representative for Mexico underscores the international appeal and narrative depth within Spanish football.

Fuente: MARCA LaLiga – https://www.marca.com/futbol/betis/2026/05/28/alvaro-fidalgo-orgulloso-asturiano-espanol-mexico-me-dio-carino-especial.html

Datos clave