Published 14:45 IST, December 14th 2022
Julian Alvarez's photo as child with Messi emerges after amazing display in World Cup 2022
Argentine youngster Julian Alvarez's childhood photo with his idol Lionel Messi is going viral on social media after Argentina reach the FIFA World Cup final.
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Argentine footballer Julian Alvarez’s picture from his childhood, where he can be seen posing with his idol Lionel Messi, is currently going viral on social media. Alvarez scripted history in the early hours of Wednesday by scoring a brace against Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semifinal and taking the team through to the summit clash. The 22-year-old became the youngest player to score twice in a FIFA World Cup semifinal since the legendary Pele in 1958.
Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez strike again! 💥
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
The first Semi-final didn't disappoint!#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/T6oNw2JoSs
Meanwhile, the Argentine team then took to their social media handle a shared a picture of Messi celebrating with Alvarez, alongside the aforementioned picture of Messi from Alvarez’s childhood days. “The kid's dream. The dream of everyone. LET'S DREAM TOGETHER,” wrote Argentina. Fans were awestruck to see how Alvarez asked Messi for a picture as a fan around 10 years ago and then went on to score for Argentina in the World Cup semifinal.
10 years ago: asking Leo Messi for a pic as big fan, dreaming of World Cup one day…
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2022
Tonight: Julián Álvarez from Calchín scores in World Cup semifinal.
🕷️🇦🇷 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/DhwozBijJu
Messi scored the opening goal for Argentina in the semifinal by converting a penalty kick in the 35th minute. Alvarez then found the back of the net in the 39th minute by charging the Croatian defense through the center and benefitting from deflections. In the 69th minute, Messi and Alvarez partnered to hand Argentina a 3-0 lead with a glorious goal. The 35-year-old kept Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol away from the ball during a battle on the right, before slotting the ball toward Alvarez, who completed his brace with another close-range goal.
Here’s a look at the best reactions to Alvarez and Messi’s viral picture.
10 years ago: asking Leo Messi for a pic as big fan, dreaming of World Cup one day…
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2022
Tonight: Julián Álvarez from Calchín scores in World Cup semifinal.
🕷️🇦🇷 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/DhwozBijJu
Julian alvarez with messi its a dream come true .#ArgentinaVsCroatia pic.twitter.com/uzOXTR2BLm
— Collins 🇰🇪 ™️ (@itscolloo) December 13, 2022
The magnificent duo. 😍#JulianAlvarez 10 years ago asking #Messi for a pic, who he was a fan of.
— Suresh Kanna (@Dir_Sureshkanna) December 13, 2022
Tonight Alvarez scores and Messi provides him with an assist for the second.
World Cup final together.#LionelMessi #GOAT #KingMessi #FIFAWorldCup #ArgentinaVsCroatia pic.twitter.com/x1na2Xft6F
Julian Alvarez is the key Messi needed all these years. What a player, we’re so lucky to have him
— ⁹ (@ErlingRoIe) December 13, 2022
Goal by Alvarez assist from Messi with Peter Drury commentate pic.twitter.com/iJO2ROiocA
— Barca Enthusiast (@akunv2barca) December 14, 2022
Varmos Argentina and Messi 🍀🍀🍀🎉🎉🎉🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/WrNz49EgAV
— Dipjyoti.eth / ✨BTC✨.eth (@0xdipjyoti) December 13, 2022
Probably the best pic I've seen in ages 🙇♂️
— Mhofu ye Wirisha (@elandofwilshere) December 14, 2022
FIFA WC semifinal: Messi dedicates Player of the Match award to Julian Alvarez
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner received the Player of the Match award for his performance against Croatia. Interestingly, Messi dedicated the award to Julian by saying the youngster was sensational. “Everyone played incredible today, but if I had to, I would give the Man of the Match award to Julian Álvarez - he was sensational,” Messi said in the post-match presentation. While Messi is the leading scorer for Argentina with five goals in FIFA World Cup 2022, Alvarez is the next-highest scorer with four goals so far.
(Image: AP/@fifaworldcup/Twitter)
14:34 IST, December 14th 2022