Álvaro García, from canijo to Rayo legend | OneFootball

Álvaro García, 33, has overtaken Jesús Diego Cota as Rayo Vallecano’s record appearance-maker in the top flight, reaching 198 at La Cartuja. As reported by as.com, Cota considers him among the club’s greatest.

The Utrera-born winger grew up with a ball at his feet, lightning quick despite his size. His father, Paco, recalls Betis rejecting a youth trial because he was too short.

Coach Miguel Ángel Montoya fast-tracked him at CD Utrera, lauding his pace, graft and modesty, and still urges more diagonal runs. Height closed doors early, yet he forced his way up.

After San Fernando, Granada, Racing and Cádiz, he arrived in Vallecas in August 2018 for about five million euros, then a club record. The step initially proved tough.

Under Míchel and Paco Jémez he struggled, but Iraola and a left-sided tandem with Fran García unlocked him. He sparked the Montilivi comeback for promotion at 28, later topping Rayo’s 2023-24 scoring and making a De la Fuente prelist.

His representatives say he would be in Spain contention if four or five years younger, adding he has been very close on form. Cota notes his impact as starter or substitute, including decisive Conference ties.

He has renewed to 2028 and, his agents suggest, the marriage with Rayo should continue, with a finish in Vallecas considered likely if he stays happy. His children Álvaro and Vega are steeped in rayismo.

Deeply tied to Utrera, he has been awarded the Mostachón de Oro de Utrera 2025, and his camp say 80% of Primera would want him.

Source: as.com