Julián Alvarez

River Plate

Alvarez joined River Plate from Atlético Calchín in 2016, notably participating in the Generation Adidas Cup with the club's youth teams. Prior to signing for River, Alvarez had trials with Boca Juniors and Real Madrid, scoring twice in five games for the latter in a youth tournament. He was unable to join Real due to age restrictions. Alvarez was moved into River Plate's senior squad under manager Marcelo Gallardo during the 2018–19 season, with his professional debut arriving on 27 October 2018 during a Primera División fixture with Aldosivi; he was subbed on for Rodrigo Mora with 26 minutes remaining of a 1–0 victory. Alvarez appeared late on during the second leg of the 2018 Copa Libertadores finals, with River beating rivals Boca Juniors. Alvarez scored the first goal of his senior career on 17 March 2019, netting in a 3–0 league win over Independiente. During the succeeding December, he scored in the 2019 Copa Argentina final against Central Córdoba as River won 3–0 to secure the trophy. In 2020, Alvarez netted five goals in six Copa Libertadores group stage encounters. On 25 May 2022, Alvarez scored six goals for River Plate in an 8–1 win over Alianza Lima in the Copa Libertadores.

Manchester City

2022–23: Debut season and continental treble

On 31 January 2022, his 22nd birthday, it was confirmed that Alvarez had signed for Premier League champions Manchester City on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a transfer fee in the…

2018–2020: Youth career

In 2018, Alvarez was selected by the Argentina U-20s to train against the senior team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In December, Alvarez was picked for the 2019 South American U-20 Championship. In preparation for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he scored the second goal against Saudi Arabia in what was a 5–0 victory, during a friendly tournament played in Spain. After that, he received a call-up from Fernando Batista for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May 2019. Four matches and one goal, versus South Africa, arrived for him in Poland. Batista subsequently called Alvarez up for the Olympic Team in the succeeding September, which preceded his selection for the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament; which Argentina won, with Alvarez scoring once (versus Venezuela) in seven matches.

2021–present: Senior debut, Copa América and World Cup triumphs

Alvarez made his debut for the Argentina senior team on 3 June 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Chile as a 62nd-minute substitute for Ángel Di María. He made his second appearance in a 4–1 victory over Bolivia in the final group-stage match of the 2021 Copa América, coming on as a second-half substitute. Argentina went on to win the tournament, defeating Brazil in the final to claim their 15th Copa América title and Álvarez's first major international trophy. On 29 March 2022, he scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw against Ecuador. On 11 November 2022, Alvarez was included in…

Alvarez is regarded as a versatile forward capable of playing across the front line. He has been noted for his pace, closing ability and control, and scoring ability from difficult positions. Commentators have also noted his link-up play, passing ability, vision, and movement such as quick passes and one-touch football. He also is recognized for his work rate on and off the ball, while also contributing to pressing opponents. Alvarez has also been described as an effective free-kick taker, scoring several free-kicks during his career in Europe. Alvarez is known for his first touch being composed and intentional, with his ability of both killing a ball dead or kicking it away from defenders in his path. While not being known a particularly skillful dribbler, Alvarez is described as a powerful runner. His slightly hunched running style is said to allow him to win challenges and protect the ball effectively, and there is a noted aggression to his carrying that makes him difficult to stop. Alvarez has typically played in a two-striker system in a team with an extremely settled style of play. In the 2023–24 season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola often used Alvarez as an attacking midfielder in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne. Alvarez's intelligent running, passing and possession has led to him thriving in this position, and he has often been lauded by pundits for successfully adapting to the requirements of the new position.

Alvarez holds an Italian passport due to his Italian heritage, allowing him to register in La Liga as an EU player. Alvarez's brothers, Agustín and Rafael, are also footballers. Both played for non-league team Abbey Hey when Julián was a Manchester City player. In 2025, Julián's brothers signed for Club Argentino, a team that competes in the Segunda Regional of Madrid. Alvarez is in a relationship with fellow Argentine Maria Emilia Ferrero. On 22 June 2025, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child, a boy. He was born on 2 January 2026. Alvarez's nickname is "La Araña" (the spider) or "El Hombre Araña" (Spider-Man), reflecting his web-shooter goal celebration.