Álvaro Barco

Club

Born in Lima, Peru, Barco began playing youth football with local clubs Alianza Atlético and Universitario de Deportes. He also represented Alianza Atlético and Gardenias from San Isidro in the Copa Perú in 1984 and 1988, respectively. He played collegiate soccer for LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds, the athletic team of Long Island University in the United States with his brother Fernando. He returned to Peru to play professionally with Universitario, as well as C.D. Palestino and Cobreloa in Chile. He also had brief spells with Mexican side Tampico Madero in 1994–95 season and Shenzhen Pingan in China.

International

Barco made 30 appearances for the Peru national team from 1986 to 1997. He participated in the 1991 Copa América and the 1993 Copa América in Ecuador.

Following his playing career, he became a manager, leading Universitario de Deportes and Universidad San Martín de Porres.