Playing with the best at City, Argentina ‘a dream’ – Álvarez،
Julián Álvarez told ESPN it was “a dream” to play alongside Erling Haaland at Manchester City and Lionel Messi with Argentina after making history with club and country in 2022-23.
Álvarez became the first player in history to win a treble in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, as well as winning the World Cup in the same year.
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The 23-year-old said the opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn from two of the best players in the sport is something he relishes.
“Playing with the best and training with the best makes you better and you learn a lot,” Álvarez said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s a dream to be among them and grow as a player and a person.”
The Argentine striker scored 17 goals in his debut campaign with City and has already scored seven times and set up a further five goals in 17 appearances for the club this season.
“Last season was long and very intense, with a lot of matches,” Álvarez said. “I feel good and confident. I have played many matches, many minutes.
“After playing more minutes and already a season here, you learn a lot from your teammates, by listening to them and the technical staff.”
Álvarez believes City are well placed to add to their trophy haul this season.
“We are first in the Premier League and in the Champions League, we are perfect,” he said. “We have had a few injuries in the first months of the season but the team is continuing with the pace and playing good games.
“This club demands that you fight on all fronts. Fortunately, we are doing well in the Premier League and the Champions League. We continue in the FA Cup.”
However, Álvarez admitted it will be difficult for City to match their exploits from last year’s campaign.
“After winning everything last season, each team will face us differently knowing that we are champions,” said the former River Plate striker. “We are aware of it and it puts us on alert.”
18-year-old England right-back Rico Lewis also excelled last season for City after being promoted to the first team in the summer of 2022.
Asked about Lewis in his pre-match press conference on Friday, City boss Pep Guardiola said: “If he was a bit bigger he would be considered one of the best players in the Premier League .”
“The problem he has is that he is so small. He is an exceptional, exceptional player. He arrived last season and started to settle in with us. He has played at a high level in all departments – defensively, offensively. He understands the game, “
