Eder Alvarez Balanta

Álvarez Balanta was born in Bogotá, where he signed with the now dissolved club Academia in 2010 (who later became Llaneros). After a successful youth run winning various titles, he attracted the scouts of River Plate. Prior to his move to the Argentinean giants, Balanta was never able to represent the Colombian national youth squads due to vast injuries.

In early 2011, Álvarez Balanta was tested in the youth division of the Argentinean Club and passed the trials and became a sub with the youth squad. In 2012, he was becoming more of a regular which led to an eventual championship victory in the 2012 U-20 Copa Libertadores. Due to his success with the youth team and impressive talent, he moved into the senior squad officially in 2013.

In July 2013, Álvarez Balanta officially signed his first senior contract with the club on a three-year term deal with a $30 million release clause.

Álvarez Balanta noticeably put on a man of the match performance in the 2013 Copa Sudamericana match against San Lorenzo. Throughout the match, he was praised for being "impassable".

In September 2013, it was reported that Barcelona had taken interest in Álvarez Balanta, and they plan to watch the player to evaluate his development. It was also mentioned that Álvarez Balanta could possibly be a successor to Barça's aging defender Carles Puyol, but that River Plate would require €50 million in any transfer deal. Weeks later, however, River Plate brought down his release clause to €15 million.

Álvarez Balanta attracted the attention of the Colombian Football Federation in May 2013 during his time with River Plate. He was called to be part of the U-20 squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. Due to injuries and the factor that he had yet to sign his first professional contract, River Plate stated that they would not allow him to partake with the national youth squad if he does not meet with his youth contract before signing a senior contract. In June 2013, it was confirmed that River Plate would not allow him to take part in the U-20 World Cup.

On 7 November 2013, Álvarez Balanta received his first senior call-up to play friendlies against Belgium and the Netherlands. On his second call-up, Álvarez Balanta made his international debut, coming in at the 65th minute in a friendly against Tunisia.

On 6 June 2014, Álvarez Balanta was named by head coach José Pékerman in Colombia's 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup.

On 19 February 2015, Álvarez Balanta made his debut in the 2015 Copa Libertadores against Bolivian club San José in which River Plate lost 0–2. On 12 March 2015, Balanta scored his first goal in the Copa Libertadores in 1–1 draw against Juan Aurich of Peru.

On 14 July 2016, Swiss club Basel announced that they had signed Álvarez Balanta on a four-year contract lasting till 30 June 2020.

Balanta made his UEFA Champions League group stage debut in a 1–1 draw against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad on 12 September 2016.

On September 2, 2019, he signed three-year contract with Club Brugge.