World Cup 2026: Alvarez with Argentina… an opportunity to prove himself

Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Friday that “Messi will start the match on the bench (…) and then enter the field during the match.” He added of the players who would benefit from the rotation policy: “It allows us to see their physical level and whether we can rely on them, and I am convinced of that.”

Alvarez falls into this category after he arrived in the United States not in the best physical shape after a month and a half recovering from an ankle injury.

So far, Lautaro Martinez has been selected to accompany captain and playmaker Lionel Messi in the front line, while the attacking Alvarez has been content with just an hour of action in two matches against Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0), with a modest score of just one shot between three sticks.

It is a major decline in status for one of the 2022 world champions, who was indispensable during the coronation in Qatar and particularly shone in the semi-final against Croatia (3-0), when he scored Messi’s penalty and scored two goals himself.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, said of his colleague after the match: “He opened up space for us, he fought, he ran, he constantly challenged his opponents and created opportunities for himself… In short, he was an important element.”

Welcome to Barcelona

Alvarez played as a reserve player in Argentina’s first two matches © Paul Ellis/AP

Three-and-a-half years later, the struggling striker finds himself in a less comfortable position, either with the national team or with his Spanish club Atlético Madrid, which he wants to leave as soon as possible.

“I have spoken to the people at the club that I should have spoken to and I think this transfer will be the best decision for everyone,” he said candidly after the last match.

He added: “This is not the right time to delve into this issue, but I also cannot continue to hide it.”

Although his desire to leave was no secret, the timing and wording of this public statement surprised many, announcing the beginning of a tug of war with Atlético Madrid, of which Alvarez is one of the main pillars, although he is still twenty-six years old.

The Argentine player’s contract, which runs until 2030, includes a huge fine of 500 million euros ($570 million), and Madrid does not appear ready to part with him easily.

Real Madrid made an unusual public offer of €150 million earlier this month, but it was rejected. Barcelona, ​​in turn, are pushing to include Alvarez as a successor to Polish striker Robert Lewandowski following his departure.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri expressed his readiness to welcome the Argentine striker, telling official Teledeporte channel on Thursday: “I am very impressed with Julián as a player and I have always said that I want the best players at Barcelona. If this deal can be done, he will be a welcome guest.”

Alvarez or Martinez?

The former River Plate and Manchester City player is known for his superb speed and dribbling skills, so much so that his movements make it appear as if he has more than two legs, earning him the nickname “La Arania” (The Spider).

But the scorer of 20 goals this season for Atlético Madrid, half of which came in the Champions League, has not yet managed to weave his threads during the World Cup.

The match against Jordan, who has lost his chance of qualifying, is expected to give him his first start for Argentina, who have secured first place in Group 10 regardless of the result.

Most importantly for him, the match represents a golden opportunity to earn extra points in a tight battle with Lautaro Martinez for a starting position next to Messi.

Scaloni made this issue clear, emphasizing that, besides Messi, there is only one place that cannot be avoided.

After the match against Austria he said: “Sometimes people ask me about the possibility of playing with Lautaro, Julian and Leo. But after that you have to defend and run.” He added that the trio “can make us a good team and difficult for opponents, but it can also make us more vulnerable defensively, which is not the idea. They got the message.”

Now it remains for Alvarez to send his message to the field.

© 2026 AFP