Facts about Julian Alvarez, Aguero’s successor at Man City

DBasia.news – “Done deal” as well as “Here we go” are the words football fans have been waiting for when watching the latest developments on Twitter of Fabrizio Romano, European football expert.

When Romano had said those two magical words, the transfer was almost 99% realized. The same goes for the transfer saga of Julian Alvarez, who was linked with Manchester United, then moved to another Manchester team: Manchester City.

“Julian Alvarez to Manchester City from River Plate, done deal and here we go! The deal is confirmed as predicted last week,” said Romano.

“€18.5 million fee for River with bonuses or taxes. Julian will be on a five-year contract. The deal is sealed, Alvarez will remain at River Plate on loan until July (2022).”

After the departure of Sergio Aguero, a club legend in the summer of 2021 to Barcelona (later retiring), the news of the transfer became a joy for City fans. Alvarez is another Argentine player who joined the club and is also often compared to his predecessor.

Here BolaSkor.com has summarized a number of interesting facts about Julian Alvarez:

1. Receiving the nickname ‘The Spider’

The Spider, that’s the nickname that as been attached to Julian Alvarez. With that nickname, every time Alvarez scores a goal he always celebrates by making a cobweb with both hands.

Some people think it’s because he’s a fan of the fictional hero Spiderman, but in fact the nickname has been with him since Alvarez was a kid and played in his hometown of Calchin de Cordoba.

According to news from Atletico Calchin Club institution, it was his brother who gave him the nickname because of Alvarez’s football skills. With these skills in childhood, it was like Alvarez was playing with more than two feet. Nothing wrong with calling him Spiderman.

2. Trial at Real Madrid

Alvarez’s path to Europe was originally almost realized at a very young age of 11 years. At that time he was on trial at Real Madrid, scoring two goals in five games and helping the team win the youth tournament in 2011.

However, Madrid has a policy of waiting until the age of 13 before recruiting foreign talent. No doubt Alvarez left and that was stated by his father, Gustavo.

“It would be a dream if he stayed (at Madrid). We are a working family. I work for a cereal company and my wife, Mariana, is a kindergarten teacher,” explained Gustavo to Goal.

3. Profile

Returning to Argentina, Alvarez had a trial with Boca Juniors before joining rivals River Plate from Atletico Calchin in 2016. Since promotion to the first team Alvarez has won the Copa Libertadores, Copa Argentina and Primera Division.

Complementing his trophy record at a young age, Alvarez has also been in the historic Argentina team that ended Lionel Messi’s wait for the international title when they won the Copa America in 2021. Alvarez was promoted to River’s first team in 2018 and will change clubs this year.

4. Playing Style and Position

In 2021 Alvarez became the top scorer with 20 goals from 35 matches and was selected as the South American Footballer of the Year.

“Alvarez is the prototype of the modern player that everyone wants,” Juventus legend, David Trezeguet told Radio Supermitre.

“He gave his all, wasn’t tired, stayed grounded and didn’t seek controversy. This kid is a gem that is hard to find in South America, he has all the technical qualities they love in Europe.”

Alvarez has been a regular at River since 2020 under Marcelo Gallardo. He is a versatile player as a center forward, a second striker, to a wing striker.

The comparison with Aguero is not entirely wrong, because Alvarez does play like him: agile, has technical quality in dribbling the ball, and has an instinct to score goals.

Alvarez is even more dynamic because he also moves on the flanks. Both also like to move in tight spaces between the opponent’s defense. Understandably, Alvarez is considered a successor to Aguero at City.

“I really like Kun Aguero and I try to follow his movements,” Alvarez told La Nacion in 2019.

5. What they Say About Julian Alvarez

David Trezeguet had first assessed him and saw him as a young diamond from South America. That talent was also see by Marcelo Gallardo.

“He is a player who is loved by the coach because of his qualities, because of his generosity and because of his joy,” Gallardo said.

“Every coaching staff would love to have him. He is still very young and has a long way to go.”

Fate seemed destined for Alvarez to play at City, the club he often played for when playing FIFA football games.

“Playing in Europe is most people’s dream because of the quality of those leagues and what it means to be at those clubs,” he told Radio La Red in October 2020.

“But I’m just taking it easy. Obviously I spoke to my agent and my family, but I knew I had to stay focused on what I was doing.

“The time will come, through the work I do. On the Playstation I play with Barcelona or Manchester City,” Alvarez explained.