Álvarez's nickname is『la araña』(the spider) or『el hombre araña』(Spiderman). He celebrates his goals with a hand gesture similar to Spiderman's gesture when shooting a web from his wrists.[3]
Álvarez joined River Plate from Atlético Calchín in 2016, notably participating in the Generation Adidas Cup with the club's youth teams.[4][5][6] Prior to signing for River, Álvarez had trials with Boca Juniors and Real Madrid; scoring twice in five games for the latter in a youth tournament.[5][7][8] He was unable to join Real due to age restrictions.[5] Álvarez was moved into River Plate's senior squad under manager Marcelo Gallardo during the 2018–19 season, with his professional debut arriving on 27 October 2018 during a Primera División fixture with Aldosivi; he was subbed on for Rodrigo Mora with 26 minutes remaining of a 1–0 victory.[4][9][10]
Álvarez appeared late on during the second leg of the 2018 Copa Libertadores finals, with River beating rivals Boca Juniors.[4] Álvarez scored the first goal of his senior career on 17 March 2019, netting in a 3–0 league win over Independiente.[4] During the succeeding December, he scored in the 2019 Copa Argentina Final against Central Córdoba as River won 3–0 to secure the trophy. In 2020, Álvarez netted five goals in six Copa Libertadores group stage encounters.
On 31 January 2022, his 22nd birthday, it was confirmed that Álvarez had signed for Premier League champions Manchester City on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a transfer fee in the region of £14 million,[12] and an agreement that the player would remain at River Plate on loan until July.[13]
On 17 May 2023, Álvarez scored the last goal in a 4–0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg, which cemented his club's qualification to the final.[18] Four days later, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Chelsea to win his first Premier League title, and third in a row for his club.[19] On 10 June, he won the Champions League final with his club, despite being a non-playing substitute, to become among the players who won the FIFA World Cup and Champions League in the same season, in addition to achieving both the latter and the Copa Libertadores. With this, he also became the first ever player in football history to win the World Cup and a continental treble in the same season.[20]
2023–24: Starting eleven breakthrough
On 19 August, Álvarez netted the lone goal in a 1–0 victory over Newcastle United.[21] Following the injuries of Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, Álvarez began featuring more regularly in the starting eleven, registering four goal contributions in his next Premier League matches, including two assists in a 3–1 away win over West Ham United on 16 September.[22] Three days later, he scored a brace in City's 3–1 home win over Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League.[23] Álvarez finished in 7th place in the 2023 Ballon d'Or.[24] On 22 December, Manchester City defeated Fluminense 4–0 in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final as Álvarez scored a brace and provided an assist to claim his first Club World Cup title and finish the tournament as top scorer; with his first goal being the fastest in the competition's history at 40 seconds. On 4 May 2024, Álvarez made his 100th appearance for City, marking it with a late goal in a 5–1 league win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[25]
On 11 November 2022, Álvarez was included in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[33] On 30 November, he scored his first World Cup goal in a 2–0 win in the last group stage match against Poland.[34] Álvarez followed with a second World Cup goal on 3 December, when he scored in Argentina's 2–1 win against Australia.[35] He continued his scoring streak by adding two more goals in Argentina's 3–0 win against Croatia in the semi-finals, becoming the youngest player since Peléin1958 to score two goals in a World Cup semi-final at 22 years, 316 days old.[36][37] On 18 December, he was involved in Argentina's second goal as his team defeated France 4–2 on penalties after the match ended 3–3 in extra-time of the final to win the World Cup.[38]
Style of play
Julian Álvarez is a versatile forward who can play anywhere on the frontline.[39][40][41] He is direct, quick, and has graceful control with his right foot, often converting awkward chances. Álvarez is also a good link-up player, with the technique and vision to play quick passes and one-touch football.[39][42] Playing against rough South American tacklers, his dribbling and ability to manoeuvre in tight spaces are sublime. Álvarez is also a very hardworking player, running around off the ball and capable of leading a strong press.[40][43][44]
Álvarez's first touch is incredibly composed and always intentional, with him capable of both killing a ball dead or nudging it away from a defender and into his own path.[41][45] While not a particularly skilful dribbler, Álvarez is a powerful runner. His slightly hunched running style allows him to barrel through challenges and protect the ball effectively, and there's a tenacity and doggedness to his carrying that makes him difficult to stop.[43] Álvarez is used to playing in a two-striker system in a team with an extremely settled style of play.[43][44]
In the 2023–24 season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has often used Álvarez as an attacking midfielder in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne. Álvarez's intelligent running, passing and possession has led to him thriving in this position, and he has often been lauded by pundits for successfully adapting to the requirements of the new position.[43][46][47][48]
^de 2022, Por Newsroom Infobae13 de Diciembre (13 December 2022). "Julián Álvarez, el doblete más joven desde Pelé". infobae (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ ab"Player Analysis: Why is Man United target Julian Alvarez so highly rated?". The Football Faithful | Football News | Premier League News | Football Opinions | Football Analysis | Football Betting Tips | Football Transfers | The Football Faithful. 18 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.