Much like Argentina at the World Cup, Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez has had a slow start to the season.
The likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are fond of the award-winning 22-year-old Argentine, who was in stunning form in his homeland.
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Man City were the lucky ones who got their hands on Alvarez
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He’s showing what he’s talking about on the biggest stage
City signed the player on a five-and-a-half-year deal in January, with the player spending the rest of the season at River Plate on loan.
He broke a 121-year-old River Plate record with a staggering six-goal run in a Copa Libertadores game on Wednesday night.
Alvarez hasn’t shown many signs of breaking records for Man City with his playing time at his new club limited, largely due to Erling Haaland gorging on goals this term.
However, Alvarez’s form during the World Cup – which has seen him score twice in Argentina’s last two outings – shows there’s plenty more to come from the 22-year-old.
So what do we know about Alvarez? talkSPORT.com takes a deeper look…
JUlian Alvarez: Profile
The Argentine was almost destined for a direct path to Madrid after being tried in the Spanish capital when he was just 11 years old.
Alvarez scored two goals in five appearances to help the La Liga Real giants win a youth tournament in 2011.
However, he was too young to make the change permanent as Madrid’s policy is to wait at least 13 years before signing foreign talents.
Alvarez’s father Gustavo told Goal: “It would be a dream if he could stay. We are a working family.
“I work in a grain company and my wife Mariana is a kindergarten teacher.”
Alvarez is already winning trophies despite being just 21
He also had trials with Boca Juniors before joining club rivals River Plate from local side Atletico Calchin in 2016.
During his time with River’s first team, Alvarez won the Copa Libertadores, Copa Argentina and Primera Division, among other trophies.
The striker was part of the Argentina squad alongside six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi for their Copa America-winning campaign in the summer of 2021.
Alvarez was the Primera Division’s top scorer in 2021 with 20 goals in 35 games, while also being named South American Footballer of the Year.
Alvarez even won the Copa America alongside Lionel Messi in 2021
JUlian Alvarez: Position
The youngster mainly operates as a striker where he managed 24 goals and 18 assists in 46 appearances in 2021.
Alvarez has become a regular starter in 2020 with manager Marcelo Gallardo using him as both a centre-forward and second striker.
Yet he broke into the first team on the right due to a succession of attacking options at the time, including Eintracht Frankfurt star Rafael Santos Borre.
Alvarez was deployed in a similar position for Argentina, appearing as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 win over Bolivia at the Copa America.
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Alvarez has five goals in 16 appearances for his country
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And he nails it at the World Cup alongside childhood hero Lionel Messi
JUlian Alvarez: What was said?
River manager Gallardo: “He is a player that coaches love for his quality, for his generosity and for his playfulness.
“Any coach would love to have him. He is very young and has a long way to go.
Ahead of the World Cup clash between Argentina and the Netherlands, his Man City team-mate Nathan Ake said: “As a player he is very technical, very difficult to score even in training. “, very sharp, good finish, so it will be difficult. He is a great player but also a great guy off the pitch. He is a bit calm.
“He’s still learning English and he comes from a different environment, so it’s all new for him, but he’s settled in very well.”
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Alvarez has started just three Premier League appearances this season but has scored seven goals in 20 appearances for City
A move to City always seemed written in the stars, with Alvarez once admitting he played with Pep Guardiola’s FIFA side.
“Playing in Europe is most people’s dream because of the quality of these leagues and what it means to be in these clubs,” he told Radio La Red in October 2020.
“But I’m taking it slowly. Obviously, I talk to my agent and my family, but I know I have to stay focused on what I’m doing.
“Later the time will come, thanks to the work I do.”
Alvarez added: “On Playstation I play with Barcelona or Manchester City.”
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