00:04Argentina are preparing for one final major tournament with an attack focused
00:08around the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi. But the future is in
00:15safe hands, with a host of dynamic young forwards ready to lead the Alba Celeste
00:20into a new era. Franco Mastantoano is still a teenager,
00:24while Fecunda Buonanotte and Alejandro Garnacho are not much older, but all three have already
00:32amassed plenty of top-level experience. And while it may be some time before they stamp
00:40their mark on the international scene, Julian Alvarez will ensure a seamless transition between
00:45generations. Alvarez will be 26 when the World Cup comes around and has quietly amassed over
00:5450 caps and an astonishing array of major honours.
01:00He is an extraordinary player. He is the best player we have and we have to take care of
01:04him. We are going to help him to get even better.
01:07Alvarez found the back of the net four times during World Cup qualification, matching his
01:12haul from the 2022 finals in Qatar. His versatility, pace and close control make him a coach's dream.
01:22Able to link up play, take the game on in wide areas and finish with confidence.
01:28His hard work off the ball is also often credited.
01:34His appetite for leading the press was perfected during a two-year spell at Manchester City, during
01:40which he celebrated the English Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble.
01:48Those successes came after Alvarez had already secured the major club trophies on offer in Argentina
01:54and South America at the beginning of his career with River Plate.
02:01Alvarez now plays his trade as Atletico Madrid under the coaching of countryman Diego Simeone.
02:11I felt like I needed a change in my professional career, a new challenge.
02:19And I think this is a club where I can get the tools and the space to become the best
02:23version of myself as a footballer.
02:29After studying the genius Messi for the first half of his career, Alvarez is ready to take over from the
02:35national hero and lead the line for Argentina.
02:41The 2026 World Cup will represent a changing of the guard for the Albi Celeste.
02:46But with such quality already embedded in the squad, the future looks bright.
02:51It's good to be a big change and way better to the right.
02:52Thanks for telling us to have a great time.
02:52Bye.
02:52Bye.
02:53Bye.
Comments