00:05Argentina are preparing for one final major tournament with an attack focused
00:10around the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi.
00:15But the future is in safe hands, with a host of dynamic young forwards ready to lead the
00:21Albi Celeste into a new era.
00:23Franco Mastantoano is still a teenager, Malfucunda Buonanotte and Alejandro Garnaccio are not
00:31much older, but all three have already amassed plenty of top-level experience.
00:39And while it may be some time before they stamp their mark on the international scene, Julian
00:44Alvarez will ensure a seamless transition between generations.
00:51Alvarez will be 26 when the World Cup comes around and has quietly amassed over 50 caps
00:57and an astonishing array of major honours.
01:01He is an extraordinary player, he is the best player we have and we have to take care of
01:05him.
01:06We are going to help him to get even better.
01:08Alvarez found the back of the net four times during World Cup qualification, matching his
01:14haul from the 2022 finals in Qatar.
01:18His versatility, pace and close control make him a coach's dream.
01:24Able to link up play, take the game on in wide areas and finish with confidence.
01:30His hard work off the ball is also often credited.
01:35His appetite for leading the press was perfected during a two-year spell at Manchester City,
01:41during which he celebrated the English Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble.
01:49Those successes came after Alvarez had already secured the major club trophies on offer in
01:55Argentina and South America at the beginning of his career with River Plate.
02:02Alvarez now applies his trade as Atletico Madrid under the coaching of countryman Diego Simeone.
02:12I felt like I needed a change in my professional career, a new challenge.
02:20And I think this is a club where I can get the tools and the space to become the best
02:25version
02:25of myself as a footballer.
02:30After studying the genius Messi for the first half of his career, Alvarez is ready to take
02:36over from the national hero and lead the line for Argentina.
02:43The 2026 World Cup will represent a changing of the guard for the Albi Celeste, but with
02:48such quality already embedded in the squad, the future looks bright.
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