Speaking to the Official Matchday Programme, Edson Álvarez answers questions about his footballing icons, squad number significance, tattoos and ice-cream…
What is the first app you look at on your phone in the morning?
"When I’m away from my family, I will usually have a message on my phone from them when I wake up, so the first thing I would do is look at and respond to the message from them."
Are you a social media user?
"I am! I prefer Instagram the most."
Is there any significance to your squad number at West Ham United?
"There is. I spoke about it when I first joined the Club. It is a very special number for me. I have normally worn the No4 shirt but, the 19, I can say it is the number of my family.
"My father always played with that number when he was young. When I started my career in the youth teams, my father put me in 19 when I was a striker! I scored a lot of goals with the 19 so it is very special for me.
"I mentioned it is the number of my family, so when West Ham sent me the available numbers and I saw 19, I said I needed to take it."
Describe yourself in three words.
"That’s a tricky question. I’ll go for disciplined, humble, and I’ll also say happy as well. I’m a very happy person so that has to be in there."
If any, how many tattoos do you have?
"I’ve got a few now. Half of my left arm is tattooed, and I also have one on my ribs. In total, it’s probably only two full tattoos but the arm tattoo is comprised of a few different individual designs. I really like it.
"I try to go for tattoos that have significance for me. I have my two daughters’ names tattooed, and I have a lion and a warrior too. The one on the ribs hurt the most!"
When lining up before a game, where do you like to stand in the line up?
"It depends, but usually I like to be the last player coming out of the tunnel. There is no real superstition or reason for it. It’s just where I like to be, but I know a few players like that position in the line up too."
Which players did you admire as a youngster?
"All my life I have loved Ronaldinho, watching his skills on the TV and on the computer.
"As a Mexican, Rafa Márquez at Barcelona is a big example for me in terms of what he did in his career. He is amazing, he is a legend also and I had the pleasure to play with him in the national team so to be in the dressing room and to play with him were like a dream."
What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
"It’ll sound like a boring answer but I have to go for vanilla. It’s easily the best flavour and certainly my favourite.
"I don’t get to eat loads of ice-cream as a footballer and, to be honest, it wouldn’t be my first choice for something sweet to have. I prefer savoury food so, if I was picking a cheat snack, I would go for chips."
Do you believe in ghosts?
"I can’t decide on this one. I’ll say maybe, because I’ve never seen a ghost before but a person close to me in my life maintains they have seen a ghost before and I believe them. So that’s why I can see both sides."
