Overview
Antonio Sivera, born on August 11, 1996, in Jávea, Spain, is a professional goalkeeper known for his consistent performances in Spanish football. Standing at 1.85 meters, Sivera possesses the physical attributes typically associated with modern goalkeepers, combining reach with agility. His career has seen him develop through prominent Spanish academies before establishing himself as a first-team regular in La Liga.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Sivera's primary role involves protecting his team's goal. This encompasses a range of responsibilities including shot-stopping, commanding his penalty area, organizing the defence, and initiating attacks with distribution. His development has been geared towards excelling in these fundamental aspects of goalkeeping.
Identity
Sivera's identity on the pitch is defined by his reliability and composure. He is often described as a 'safe pair of hands,' a goalkeeper who minimizes errors and provides a steady presence for his backline. His performances often highlight his ability to make crucial saves, particularly in one-on-one situations, demonstrating good decision-making under pressure.
Nationality
A proud Spaniard, Sivera has represented his country at various youth levels, including the Spain U17, U19, and U21 teams. This international experience at a young age helped hone his skills and expose him to competitive football on a global stage, contributing to his professional development.
Career path
Antonio Sivera's journey in professional football began in the youth ranks of local clubs before he joined the academy of Valencia CF, one of Spain's most established teams. His progression through Valencia's youth system was steady, showcasing his potential from an early age.
Valencia CF
Sivera spent several years at Valencia's academy, developing under the guidance of experienced coaches. He advanced through the different age categories, eventually featuring for Valencia CF Mestalla, the club's reserve team, in the Segunda División B. During his time with Valencia Mestalla, Sivera gained significant experience in senior football, playing regularly and refining his goalkeeping techniques. He made his debut for the reserve side in 2013 and remained a key player for several seasons, attracting attention for his performances [Transfermarkt].
Deportivo Alavés
In July 2017, Sivera made a permanent move to Deportivo Alavés, signing a four-year contract [Transfermarkt]. This transfer marked a significant step in his career, as it provided him with the opportunity to compete for a place in a La Liga squad. Initially, Sivera served as a backup goalkeeper, gradually integrating into the first-team setup. His dedication in training and consistent performances when given the chance led to increased playing time.
Loan spell at UD Almería
During the 2019-2020 season, Sivera was loaned to UD Almería in the Segunda División. This loan spell was crucial for his development, as it provided him with regular first-team football. He played a significant number of matches for Almería, gaining invaluable experience and further showcasing his abilities as a starting goalkeeper [Sofascore]. His performances helped Almería compete for promotion, and he returned to Alavés with enhanced confidence and match sharpness.
Return to Deportivo Alavés
Upon his return, Sivera solidified his position within the Deportivo Alavés squad. He has since become a more prominent figure, competing for the starting spot and contributing to the team's efforts in La Liga. His continued presence at Alavés underscores his value to the club and his sustained performance level in top-flight Spanish football.
Playing style
Antonio Sivera's playing style is characterized by a blend of traditional goalkeeping strengths and more modern attributes required in contemporary football. His approach prioritizes solidity and effectiveness, making him a reliable last line of defence.
Shot-stopping
Sivera's primary strength lies in his shot-stopping ability. He demonstrates good reflexes and agility, particularly in reacting to close-range shots and making crucial saves. His technique often involves smart positioning, allowing him to cover angles effectively and reduce the opponent's target area. He is capable of acrobatic saves when required, but typically relies on sound fundamental technique [FBref].
Command of the area
Standing at 1.85 meters, Sivera possesses a decent aerial presence, which he utilizes in commanding his penalty area. He is assertive in coming off his line to claim crosses and punches, relieving pressure on his defenders. His decision-making in these situations is generally sound, choosing when to intervene and when to let his defenders handle the ball. This command helps to reduce dangerous set-piece opportunities for opponents.
Distribution
In line with modern goalkeeping demands, Sivera is competent with the ball at his feet. While not necessarily a primary playmaker from the back, he is capable of accurate short and medium-range passes, helping to retain possession and initiate build-up play. He typically opts for safe, effective distribution, aiming to find teammates in space rather than attempting overly risky passes. His long distribution is also effective, often targeting wide players or central midfielders to quickly transition play.
Composure and decision-making
One of Sivera's notable attributes is his composure under pressure. He rarely appears flustered, even in high-stakes situations. This calmness extends to his decision-making, whether it involves choosing to punch or catch a cross, committing to a one-on-one challenge, or selecting the appropriate distribution method. This mental resilience makes him a consistent performer.
Achievements & honours
Antonio Sivera has accumulated several honours throughout his career, particularly at the youth international level with Spain. These achievements highlight his talent and contribution to successful teams.
International Honours (Youth)
Sivera was a key member of the Spain U19 squad that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2015. His performances in the tournament were instrumental in Spain's success, showcasing his potential on a continental stage [UEFA]. He also featured for the Spain U21 team, participating in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2019, where Spain emerged victorious. Although he was not the primary starter in that tournament, his presence in the squad contributed to the team's depth and success [UEFA].
Club Honours
While his club career has been more focused on establishing himself as a consistent performer, Sivera has been part of squads that have achieved promotion or maintained their status in top divisions. His contributions to Deportivo Alavés have been vital in their efforts to compete in La Liga.
A summary of his notable honours:
| Competition | Club / National Team | Year |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA European Under-19 Championship | Spain U19 | 2015 |
| UEFA European Under-21 Championship | Spain U21 | 2019 |
International career
Antonio Sivera has had a significant presence in Spain's youth international setup, representing his country across multiple age groups. His performances for the national youth teams showcased his potential and provided him with valuable experience in high-stakes tournaments.
Spain U17
Sivera first gained international recognition representing Spain at the U17 level. These early appearances allowed him to develop within a competitive environment, playing alongside some of Spain's most promising young talents. The U17 stage is often a crucial period for players to adapt to the demands of international football.
Spain U19
His most notable youth international achievement came with the Spain U19 team. Sivera was a key player in the squad that won the 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He played a prominent role in the tournament, making several important saves throughout Spain's victorious campaign [UEFA]. This triumph cemented his reputation as one of the top young goalkeepers in Europe.
Spain U21
Sivera continued his international progression with the Spain U21 team. He was part of the squad that competed in and won the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. While he was not the primary starting goalkeeper during this tournament, his inclusion in the squad highlighted his continued development and standing within the Spanish national youth system [UEFA].
Senior National Team
As of 2026, Antonio Sivera has not yet earned a senior cap for the Spain national football team. The competition for goalkeeping positions in the Spanish senior squad is notably high, with several experienced and emerging talents vying for limited spots. However, his consistent performances in La Liga keep him on the radar for potential future call-ups.
What makes Antonio Sivera stand out
Antonio Sivera stands out primarily due to his consistency and reliable shot-stopping, particularly in one-on-one situations. He possesses an innate ability to read the game, often anticipating opposition forwards' movements effectively. This allows him to position himself optimally, making challenging saves appear routine. His composure under pressure is another distinguishing trait; Sivera rarely makes rash decisions, contributing to a calm presence for his defensive unit.
Furthermore, his journey through Spain's highly competitive youth international system, culminating in two European Championship victories, underscores his pedigree. These experiences at a young age helped cultivate a winning mentality and an understanding of high-level competition.
"Sivera is a goalkeeper who gives confidence. He's solid, rarely makes mistakes, and always seems to be in the right place."