“What is your dream in football? And your idol?”they asked for some Giuliano Alvarez. He was 11 years old and was already a diamond in the rough on the fields of Calchin Athletic Society, from his hometown in Córdoba. At 3 pm the River would arrive and the rest is already known history.
This Wednesday, the young star of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City wrote another chapter of his still short but successful career in professional football. He made his debut as a starter in a World Cup, with Lionel Messi at his side, and also left his mark on goal. A child’s dream…
After that poetic goal in a previous play that involved 28 touches, with the participation of all the players on the pitch of the Argentina national team and an exquisite definition by Spider, social networks have begun to play their part.
Julián Álvarez quickly became one of main trends of Argentina. And many, on Twitter, have begun to remember and viralize that video.
The answer dictated by his heart ended up being an omen. “Play a World Cup. And Messi”. Eleven years later, a dream come true and doubled for that gurrumín who wore the Atlético Calchín shirt, whose shield and colors are the same as Riverred and white, with band.
At that club he was Independent Football League champion and tournament goalscorer and remained there until the age of 15. In 2015 he joined the lower categories of the River, the club of his loves according to what he replied in the same clip to remember. Of course, he also said he sympathized with Barcelona, which at the time had the captain of the Argentine national team as its protagonist.
Far, or not so far, was Julián’s First Division debut of the millionaire. It was in 2018, against Talleres de Córdoba, in a friendly. It was the beginning of a glorious era at the Núñez club which included six titles. The most important, the Copa Libertadores won against Boca in Madrid.
His beautiful walk convinced Guardiola, considered by many to be the best coach in the world. The Spanish coach did not hesitate and took him to Manchester City. And when many speculated that he could lose continuity and be the shadow of the Norwegian Erling Haaland, Pep gave him more minutes than expected. And he paid off.
This earned him a call to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where it didn’t take long to get a place in the starting 11. After playing just over half an hour both in his debut against Saudi Arabia and in the victory against Mexico, On the 9th of La Scaloneta he started against Poland.
At the last moment, DT decided for the former River in place of Lautaro Martínez to accompany -his idol- Messi. If everything was already perfect for Julián, the icing on the cake came 22′ into the second half.
River Plate connection by Enzo Fernández for the 22-year-old striker, who received the ball, shrugged off a staunch rival defender and struck in a cross that broke past Wojciech Szczsny’s resistance. Yes, precisely the goalkeeper who had saved the penalty of his idol in the first half. Thus, Julian was also able to indulge. The one to give 10 a little revenge.
In his memory will also remain the celebration of his first goal in a World Cup. Smile and complicit look with Messi, who ran to embrace him. The happy sequence of a story that will continue…
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.