A Brilliant Debut at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola must be sitting there and going, ‘I wish he had wanted to stay at Man City.’” These were the words of TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand after watching Julian Alvarez score one of the best goals of the UEFA Champions League this season. The 25-year-old’s stunning strike, an unstoppable effort past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, silenced the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the last-16 tie. Despite Atletico Madrid slipping to a 2-1 defeat, Alvarez once again demonstrated his potential to play a pivotal role in the second leg. Manchester City have undoubtedly missed his goalscoring prowess this season. With the help of Opta, we take a closer look at Alvarez’s numbers and explore whether he can emulate his compatriot Lionel Messi and one day get his hands on the Ballon d’Or.
A Season of Triumphs
Alvarez’s debut season at Manchester City was nothing short of delightful. He played a crucial role in helping Pep Guardiola’s men complete the treble in 2022/23, scoring on his debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield and going on to score 17 goals in 49 appearances. While Erling Haaland’s record-breaking exploits dominated the headlines, Alvarez’s contributions must not be overlooked. His crucial equaliser against Liverpool, leading to a 4-1 win, and his fabulous winning goal at Fulham in a 2-1 victory were pivotal in City’s Premier League triumph. This all came after Alvarez had been instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup victory, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Transitioning to Atletico Madrid
Last summer, Alvarez made a high-profile move to Atletico Madrid for a reported £82 million. He quickly became the focal point of Diego Simeone’s side, contributing significantly to their current standing just one point behind Barcelona in the league table. Atletico are also one game away from reaching the Copa del Rey final and have already performed admirably in the Champions League, with Alvarez scoring a brace to lead his 10-man team past Bayer Leverkusen. His dramatic late winner against Atleti further solidified his status as a vital player for the club. The pressure is on Alvarez to back up his stunning goal at the Bernabeu with another exceptional performance if Atletico are to stand a chance of reaching the last eight of the competition.
The Impact of His Departure on Manchester City
Manchester City fans and pundits alike are wondering why Alvarez was allowed to leave. TNT Sports expert Karen Carney stated, "Whether you’re a Man City fan or not, why did they let him go? But he went with the wishes of Pep Guardiola, so whatever the reason, he’s well worth it." Alvarez’s departure is all the more surprising when you consider his impressive stats during his final season at City. He made 54 appearances, contributing 19 goals and 13 assists. He started in 31 of City’s league games but was relegated to the bench for the final four matches of the title run-in and the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United. This season, City have scored nine fewer goals in the league compared to last season at the same stage, with no attacking player apart from Haaland having more than eight league goals. The numbers suggest that City might be paying the price for letting Alvarez go.
A Future Ballon d’Or Winner?
Alvarez’s stellar campaign has not gone unnoticed. Fellow summer recruit Conor Gallagher praised his club teammate, saying, "It was an unreal goal. It doesn’t surprise me; he’s playing with so much confidence. He’s a top player and a top guy as well. He’s done great this season, and I’m sure it will continue." While Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or this year, Alvarez’s potential to win the prestigious award in the future is a topic of discussion. He has already achieved so much at the age of 25, and many believe the best is yet to come. If Alvarez can guide Atletico to a historic La Liga and Champions League double, his case for the Ballon d’Or will be hard to ignore. His numbers compared to the best forwards in the world are impressive, but he still has room to grow and improve.
The Future Awaits
As Manchester City face a challenging season, Alvarez’s future looks bright. His current form suggests that he will continue to compete at the highest level for years to come. While Rodri’s injury has affected City’s form, the club’s decision to let Alvarez leave appears to be another factor in their struggles. Despite the current challenges, Alvarez’s move to Atletico Madrid has been a success, and he is poised to make even greater strides in the future. Whether he can secure a Ballon d’Or in the coming years remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Julian Alvarez is a player to watch, and his journey in football is far from over.
