Julián Alvarez is an Argentine footballer who has achieved significant success in both South American and European top-flight leagues. Best known for his role as a forward, he became the first player in history to win both the FIFA World Cup and a continental treble in the same season while playing for Manchester City. He currently competes for Atlético Madrid.
Julián Alvarez signed a contract with Atlético Madrid in August 2024 for a reported fee of up to €95 million, marking a club-record departure for Manchester City. Born in 2000 in Calchín, Argentina, this professional forward has achieved significant success in both South American and European top-flight leagues while maintaining a prominent role in international competition.
Early Career and River Plate
Alvarez joined River Plate in 2016 following his time at Atlético Calchín. Under manager Marcelo Gallardo, he made his senior professional debut on 27 October 2018 against Aldosivi. During his four-season tenure at River Plate, he secured the Copa Argentina, the 2018 Copa Libertadores, and the Argentine Primera División title in 2021. He finished that year as the competition's top scorer and earned the South American Footballer of the Year award.
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In January 2022, Alvarez signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with Manchester City. During his debut 2022–23 campaign, he became the first player in football history to win both the FIFA World Cup and a continental treble in the same season. His tenure included securing the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. By the time of his departure in 2024, he had made 100 appearances for the club, including a 2023 FIFA Club World Cup victory where he finished as the tournament's top scorer.
Transition to La Liga
Following his transfer to Atlético Madrid, Alvarez recorded 29 goals and six assists across all competitions during his 2024–25 debut season, finishing as the club's top scorer. His European campaign included a notable Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid in March 2025, where a penalty attempt was disallowed following a video assistant referee review regarding a double-touch technicality. In the 2025–26 season, he reached ten goals in a single European campaign.
International Participation
Alvarez represented Argentina at various youth levels, participating in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament. Since his senior debut in 2021, he has been part of squads that won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. He also reached the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fast facts
- Born: 31 January 2000, Calchín
- Citizenship: Argentina, Italy
- Professional Debut: 27 October 2018
- 2021 South American Footballer of the Year
- Transfer Fee 2024: Up to €95 million
- 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Top Scorer
Questions readers ask
What major trophies has Alvarez won with his clubs?
He has won the Copa Argentina, the 2018 Copa Libertadores, the Argentine Primera División, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
What occurred during the 2025 Champions League penalty against Real Madrid?
The goal was disallowed because the video assistant referee determined that Alvarez had touched the ball with his standing foot before striking it, which constitutes a double-touch.
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