The beautiful game absorbed him completely and, despite his shy, quiet nature, his answer at primary school never changed whenever teachers asked about his future: “A footballer.”

A World Cup quarterfinal, locked at 1-1. Against a resilient Switzerland in Kansas City yesterday, Argentina were desperately searching for a moment of inspiration -- perhaps from captain Lionel Messi, the man who has repeatedly rescued La Albiceleste on the biggest stage.

The choice mirrored their triumphant Qatar 2022 run, when the Inter Milan forward started as first-choice striker before Alvarez took over from the third game onward.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan makes two changes, bringing in forward Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mohanad Lashin for Omar Marmoush and Hamdy Fathy.

Lionel Messi is now a free man. He has been ever since he inspired Argentina to lift their third World Cup four years back in Qatar in 2022, completing the one missing piece of a career that already stood at the summit of football.

Real Madrid said on Tuesday that Atletico Madrid had rejected the club's offer of 150 million euros ($173 million) for Argentine forward Julian Alvarez.

Having notched four goals at the 2022 edition, including a memorable brace in the semi-finals against Croatia, Alvarez is now dreaming of further international glory at this year’s World Cup.

Alvarez became the first Atletico Madrid player to score 10 goals in a single Champions League campaign, underlining his importance to Atletico Madrid on the biggest stage.

Argentina international Alvarez, a key player for the Rojiblancos, has scored just twice in his last 10 games across all competitions.

Argentina will be without Atletico Madrid trio Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone for Friday's friendly in Angola after they failed to complete procedures linked to the yellow fever vaccine, Argentina's FA said on Monday.

The win secured the top spot for Argentina in the CONMEBOL standings.

Since joining Atleti, the Argentine forward has thrived under Diego Simeone’s intense system.

Julian Alvarez, who coolly slotted home two penalties on the night, now boasts 26 goals in all competitions—14 in La Liga. But according to his coach, there’s still room to grow.

UEFA on Thursday said it would consider a potential rule change after Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez's penalty was controversially disallowed in their Champions League shootout loss to Real Madrid.

During the shootout, Alvarez slipped and the VAR spotted that his left foot touched the ball slightly before he kicked it with his right. With only one touch permitted, the penalty, which would have levelled the shootout at 2-2, was chalked off.

A couple of moments of magic from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz helped Real Madrid edge city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16 Champions League encounter between the sides at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. 

The last-gasp victory sends Atletico third in the Champions League table, with the top eight sides all avoiding an extra knockout round.

Diego Simeone's side climbed one point clear of champions Real Madrid and six ahead of third-placed Barcelona at the halfway mark in the Spanish league season.

Even a single point would have flattered Diego Simeone's side but they took all three when the Argentina international, on as a substitute, finished Antoine Griezmann's cross at the back post.

The 24-year-old Argentina international's exit marks a record sale price for City, eclipsing the 50 million pounds Chelsea paid for winger Raheem Sterling in 2022.