40 Facts About Julian Alvarez

Early Life and Beginnings

Julián Álvarez's journey to football stardom began in humble surroundings. His early life and initial steps into football laid the foundation for his remarkable career.

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   Early Life and Family Background: Julián Álvarez comes from a middle-class family in Argentina. His father, Gustavo, worked as a driver, while his mother, Mariana, supported his football dreams.

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   Football Beginnings: Álvarez started his football journey at the Futura Estrellita soccer school, founded by Hugo Rafael Varas. This school had close ties to Club Atlético Calchín.

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   Discovery by Scouts: Scouts from Club Atlético Calchín were impressed by Álvarez's skills and contacted Hugo Rafael Varas to discuss his potential.

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   Move to Club Atlético Calchín: At seven, Álvarez moved to Club Atlético Calchín after a meeting with his parents, where it was decided he needed better football focus.

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   Training Sessions with Hugo Rafael Varas: Even after joining Club Atlético Calchín, Álvarez continued to receive extra training sessions from Hugo Rafael Varas, shaping his early career.

Rise Through the Ranks

Álvarez's talent quickly became evident, and he began to attract attention from bigger clubs. His rise through the ranks was swift and impressive.

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   Academy Graduate of River Plate: In 2016, Álvarez joined River Plate from Club Atlético Calchín, making his first-team debut in 2018.

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   Professional Debut: Álvarez made his professional debut for River Plate on October 27, 2018, in a Primera División match against Aldosivi.

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   Copa Libertadores Success: In the 2018 Copa Libertadores finals, Álvarez appeared late in the second leg, helping River Plate secure a victory against Boca Juniors.

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   First Senior Goal: Álvarez scored his first senior goal on March 17, 2019, in a 3–0 league win over Independiente.

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    Copa Argentina Winner: In December 2019, Álvarez scored in the Copa Argentina final against Central Córdoba, helping River Plate win 3–0.

Achievements and Milestones

Álvarez's career has been marked by numerous achievements and milestones, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.

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    Top Scorer in Argentine Primera División: In 2021, Álvarez finished as the top scorer in the Argentine Primera División, leading River Plate to the title and winning the South American Footballer of the Year award.

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    Transfer to Manchester City: On January 31, 2022, Álvarez signed with Manchester City on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a transfer fee of around £14 million.

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    Debut Season at Manchester City: Álvarez made his competitive debut for Manchester City on July 30, 2022, in the FA Community Shield against Liverpool, scoring his team's only goal.

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    Premier League Debut: On August 7, 2022, Álvarez made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Erling Haaland in a 2–0 win over West Ham United.

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    First Premier League Goals: On August 31, 2022, Álvarez scored his first two Premier League goals in a 6–0 win against Nottingham Forest.

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    UEFA Champions League Debut: On October 5, 2022, Álvarez scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 5–0 win over Copenhagen.

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    Champions League Semi-Final Goal: On May 17, 2023, Álvarez scored in a 4–0 win over Real Madrid, securing Manchester City's spot in the final.

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    Premier League Title Win: On May 21, 2023, Álvarez scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Chelsea, winning his first Premier League title with Manchester City.

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    Champions League Final Win: On June 10, 2023, despite being a non-playing substitute, Álvarez won the Champions League final with Manchester City, becoming the first player to win both the FIFA World Cup and Champions League in the same season.

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    Club World Cup Title: In December 2023, Álvarez helped Manchester City win the FIFA Club World Cup, scoring a brace and providing an assist in the final against Fluminense.

International Career

Álvarez's international career has been equally impressive, representing Argentina at various levels and achieving significant success.

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    100th Appearance for Manchester City: On May 4, 2024, Álvarez made his 100th appearance for Manchester City, marking it with a goal in a 5–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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    Transfer to Atlético Madrid: On August 12, 2024, Atlético Madrid signed Álvarez on a six-year deal worth up to €95 million, a club-record departure for Manchester City.

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    Debut for Atlético Madrid: On August 19, 2024, Álvarez made his debut for Atlético Madrid in a 2–2 draw against Villarreal.

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    First Goal for Atlético Madrid: On September 26, 2024, Álvarez scored his first goal for Atlético Madrid in a 1–0 victory over Celta Vigo.

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    International Career: Álvarez has represented Argentina at various youth levels, including the U-20 team, competing in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.

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    Senior International Debut: Álvarez made his senior international debut on June 3, 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Chile.

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    First International Goal: On March 29, 2022, Álvarez scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw against Ecuador.

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    2022 FIFA World Cup: Álvarez was included in Argentina's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring his first World Cup goal in a 2–0 win against Poland.

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    World Cup Final Win: On December 18, 2022, Álvarez was involved in Argentina's second goal as they defeated France on penalties to win the World Cup.

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    Copa América Wins: Álvarez played for the squads that won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 Finalissima, as well as the 2024 Copa América, scoring crucial goals throughout the tournament.

Notable Moments and Honors

Throughout his career, Álvarez has experienced many notable moments and received numerous honors, solidifying his place in football history.

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    Generation Adidas Cup Participation: Before signing for River Plate, Álvarez participated in the Generation Adidas Cup with the club's youth teams.

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    Trials with Boca Juniors and Real Madrid: Before joining River Plate, Álvarez had trials with Boca Juniors and Real Madrid, scoring twice in five games for Real Madrid in a youth tournament.

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    Nickname "La Araña" or "El Hombre Araña": Álvarez is nicknamed "La Araña" (the spider) or "El Hombre Araña" (Spider-Man), reflecting his web-shooter goal celebration.

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    Club Career Statistics: As of January 21, 2025, Álvarez has played 161 matches, scoring 60 goals, including 74 matches for River Plate, 67 for Manchester City, and 20 for Atlético Madrid.

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    Honors and Awards: Álvarez has won numerous honors, including the Argentine Primera División title in 2021, the Copa Argentina in 2018–19, the Supercopa Argentina in 2019, the Trofeo de Campeones in 2021, and the Copa Libertadores in 2018.

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    Individual Awards: He was named the South American Footballer of the Year in 2021 and finished seventh in the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings.

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    Youth Championship Team of the Tournament: In 2019, Álvarez was part of the South American Youth Championship Team of the Tournament.

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    Friendly Matches: Álvarez has played in several friendly matches for Argentina, including a 5–0 victory over the United Arab Emirates on September 27, 2022.

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    Career Highlights: Notable highlights include scoring six goals for River Plate in an 8–1 win over Alianza Lima in the Copa Libertadores on May 25, 2022, and becoming the youngest player since Pelé in 1958 to score two goals in a World Cup semi-final at 22 years and 316 days old.

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    Legacy and Impact: Julián Álvarez's journey from being rejected by Real Madrid to becoming one of the top players in the world is an inspiration to many young footballers. His dedication, hard work, and natural talent have made him a legend in the sport, and his legacy continues to grow with each passing day.

Julian Alvarez: A Rising Star

Julián Álvarez's journey from a small-town kid in Córdoba Province to a football sensation is nothing short of inspiring. His early days at Futura Estrellita soccer school, followed by his rise through River Plate's ranks, set the stage for his incredible career. From scoring crucial goals in the Copa Libertadores to making a mark in the Premier League with Manchester City, Álvarez has consistently proven his mettle. His move to Atlético Madrid and his impressive international career with Argentina, including a World Cup win, highlight his versatility and skill. Nicknamed "La Araña," Álvarez's dedication and talent have earned him numerous accolades and a place among football's elite. As he continues to shine on the field, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate his next achievements. Julián Álvarez is undoubtedly a name to remember in the football world.