Alvarez - from Messi fan to Argentine hero

In the 32nd minute, Alvarez escaped into the penalty area and was fouled by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, earning a penalty for captain Lionel Messi to open the scoring for Argentina. Seven minutes later, the 22-year-old striker dribbled from the middle of the field into the penalty area and scored twice the difference. Messi hugs and congratulates Alvarez.

But the more special moment came in the 69th minute, when Messi dribbled solo past central defender Josko Gvardiol to clear the space for Alvarez to cushion the close to seal a 3-0 victory. This is Alvarez's fourth goal at the 2022 World Cup, but the first created by Messi. The 22-year-old striker ran to thank the captain, and they hugged each other to celebrate their place in the final.

Even in a dream, the 22-year-old striker probably couldn't imagine what had just happened.

Alvarez became aware of the ball when he was more than three years old. When he was five years old, Messi played his first game for Argentina. Striker born in 2000 idol M10 since then. In his house, filled with photos of the living legend of his countrymen.

At Copa America 2011, the 11-year-old boy left his hometown in the town of Calchin, to the city of Cordoba with a distance of 123 km. Alvarez wanted to go to see Argentina meet Costa Rica in the final round of the group stage, and the other purpose was to take pictures with his idol Messi. Alvarez was satisfied.

"Playing with Messi is the best," Flashsport quoted Alvarez. "As a child, I always dreamed of that. He was the model of world football, also the best player. Messi lived a very simple and humble life, helping us learn many things."

Alvarez at the age of 11 is no ordinary boy, when Real Madrid is interested and wants to recruit. But then he was not old enough to sign a contract, and if he wanted to, he had to wait until he was 18. In the end, the striker could not wait and joined River Plate.

In January 2022, on his 22nd birthday, Alvarez signed a contract with Man City until the summer of 2027. Although mainly playing a backup role for Erling Haaland, Alvarez often impresses every time he starts. Through 20 games for Man City this season, he scored seven goals.

Alvarez also went to the 2022 World Cup as a substitute for senior Lautaro Martinez. However, after two disappointing first kicks, Martinez lost his place to Alvarez, and since then "Number 9" has exploded. In four starting matches at the World Cup, he scored four goals, including three in the knockout round.