Man City ace and Argentinian World Cup winner Julian Alvarez has received a hero’s welcome everywhere he goes since the triumph in Qatar – but fans have pushed him to ditch his girlfriend

A petition calling for World Cup winner Julian Alvarez to split up with his girlfriend has received over 20,000 signatures.

The Argentine forward returned to Manchester City’s training ground this week earlier than expected despite being given additional time to celebrate his World Cup triumph by Pep Guardiola.

But while the 22-year-old starlet became a national hero by providing the perfect partnership with captain Lionel Messi in attack, his girlfriend Maria Emilia Ferrero has got on the wrong side of fans.

Alvarez was paraded in his hometown of Calachin, 65 miles from Cordoba, while perched on the roof of a fire engine. The manic celebrations saw over 10,000 people descend on the small town.

At one point during the partying, Emilia was filmed preventing the baby-faced Alvarez from posing for a photo with a group of adoring young fans. And one raging supporter vented his fury by launching an online petition calling on Alvarez to dump the gorgeous brunette.

The petition has gained a staggering 20,000 signatures. Yet there is no sign of the City striker actually binning his partner of four years – with the young couple sharing a snap of their New Year’s celebration together on Instagram.

Emilia, a hockey player-turned-PE teacher, was at the Etihad as Alvarez came on as a substitute in the 1-1 home draw to Everton. The Argentine prodigy was paraded onto the pitch before kick-off to a huge ovation.

Alvarez’s scintillating form in Qatar saw him net four goals in seven appearances, replacing Lautaro Martinez as first-choice striker in the group stages. He also has seven goals in 21 appearances for club side City since his move from River Plate in the summer.

SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk