Argentina captain Lionel Messi hailed Julian Alvarez as “fantastic” and “extraordinary” after the 22-year-old’s brace against Croatia helped them to the World Cup final.
Manchester City’s Alvarez took his goal tally to four, one behind joint top scorers Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Argentina, who last won the World Cup in 1986, take on France on Sunday.
“Nobody could have imagined the presence and importance Julian has shown,” Massey said.
“The support he’s given us has been absolutely fantastic.”
Messi, 35, has been in the headlines in Qatar, in what he has confirmed is his fifth and final World Cup.
He has scored five and set up three of Argentina’s 12 goals – leaving Alvarez’s contribution to go under the radar a bit.
The young striker was not expected to feature significantly for Argentina at the tournament and only made substitute appearances in the opening defeat to Saudi Arabia and the win over Mexico, with coach Lionel Scaloni initially opting for Inter Milan’s Lautaro. Prefer Martinez.
Alvarez has started four matches since then, though, following his impressive performance in the 3-0 semi-final victory in which he brought down Messi’s penalty opener, before scoring the next two goals himself. were gone
“Throughout the World Cup, but also on Tuesday, he was exceptional,” added Messi. “He ran everything. He fought for everything – creating chances, fighting. For us, he was a wonderful discovery, and he deserves everything that has happened to him because he is a lovely man. “
10 years ago: asking Leo Messi for a pic as big fan, dreaming of World Cup one day…
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2022
Tonight: Julián Álvarez from Calchín scores in World Cup semifinal.
🕷️🇦🇷 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/DhwozBijJu
Messi – don’t run away. I’ll do it for you.”
Manchester City signed Alvarez from River Plate in January 2022 for €17m (£14.1m).
He agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal with City, but remained at the Argentine champions on loan until July.
This season, he has made 12 Premier League appearances – mostly from the substitute’s bench – and scored three goals.
Former Argentina and City defender Pablo Zabaleta told BBC Sport Alvarez’s work rate is unbelievable.
“He’s playing with Lionel Messi up front and from the outside it looks like he’s like: ‘Messi – don’t run I’ll do it for you,'” he added.
“You need a big heart [to do that]. He started on the bench at the World Cup but then he got an opportunity and he was brilliant.”
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said: “At such a young age, to come on this stage and perform like this, for your country at this moment – unbelievable.”
Alvarez’s performances in Qatar will leave Manchester City fans excited for what’s to come.
He has scored seven goals in eight international matches. He became only the second Argentine player to score four goals at the World Cup aged 22 or under, since Gonzalo Higuain in 2010.
And he also became the youngest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup semi-final since Brazil legend Pele’s hat-trick in a 5-2 win over France in 1958.
