Julian Alvarez, still just 23 years old, is on course to become one of football’s most decorated players as he chases down an historic feat this season.
Playing in just his first campaign on European soil, Alvarez has emerged as an important player for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who on Wednesday thumped Real Madrid 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) to progress to the Champions League final.
The victory kept City’s hopes of a European Treble well and truly alive. The reigning Premier League champions can secure another domestic title this weekend, with an FA Cup final against Manchester United and a Champions League final against Inter Milan to come.
Alvarez, who has provided 20 goal contributions for City this season, is hoping to achieve more than just the Treble, however, having also won the World Cup with Argentina in December. The forward played a crucial role in Qatar as he scored four goals in seven matches.
The Argentinian, should City prevail in all three competitions, will become the first footballer in history to win the World Cup and a European Treble in a single campaign.
Julian Alvarez is on course to make history as he chases down four major trophies this season
Alvarez won the World Cup with Argentina in December with a European Treble now possible
Just 11 players in football history have won the Champions League – or European Cup – and World Cup in the same season, including the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Roberto Carlos and current Manchester United star Raphael Varane.
Alvarez is looking to join that illustrious group, though he faces competition from Inter Milan star and fellow Argentinian Lautaro Martinez, who can achieve the same feat.
Martinez, who has already won the Italian Super Cup with Inter this season, also has the chance to win the Coppa Italia when they come up against Fiorentina on Wednesday, May 24.
While Alvarez is merely chasing records at this stage, he did etch his name in the history books on Wednesday night by becoming the youngest Argentine to score in a Champions League semi-final.
Alvarez overtook Lionel Messi as the youngest Argentinian to score in a Champions League semi-final
City defeated Real Madrid 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) to reach the Champions League final
He did so at 23 years, three months and 17 days old, while the former titleholder – his idol and fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi – achieved the feat at 23 years, 10 months and three days old.
Alvarez now turns his attention to the Premier League, where City need just one win from three games to secure their third-straight title. They play Chelsea at home on Sunday, but it could be decided before they even step onto the pitch, should Arsenal lose away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
The FA Cup final will come next, with Manchester City and bitter rivals Man United going head-to-head at Wembley Stadium on June 3.
City’s final game of the season will be the Champions League final – being played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey – a week later on June 10.
