Photo by Manuel Cortina/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Is there a better Argentinian footballer, right here, right now, than Julian Alvarez?
Usually, such a question could usually be answered with just two words; Lionel Messi.
But with the seven-time Ballon D’Or winner showcasing only glimpses of his galactic talents at Paris Saint-Germain, Daniel Bertoni’s brain-teaser will spark a bit of unexpected debate.
“(Alvarez) is the best Argentine player at the moment,” quips Bertoni, the 1978 World champion, in conversation with Radio Goal.
“He is a great goalscorer. He is similar to (Napoli legend Dries) Mertens. He shoots very well with both feet, even the free kicks.”
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Bertoni’s claims certainly stand up well to scrutiny.
Alvarez was the driving force behind River Plate’s first league title since 2014, scoring 24 and setting up a further 15 along the way.
He netted 13 goals with his right-foot. There were eight with his left and a couple of headers thrown into the mix.
Comparisons with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Cristiano Ronaldo do not seem a million miles wide of the mark.
The best Argentine footballer on the planet?
According to Calciomercato and El Intransigente, Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur and David Moyes’ West Ham have taken note of the £21 million-rated Alvarez.
Aston Villa were early to the party, meanwhile, arriving at Alvarez’ door before the mini sausage rolls even reached the buffet table.
Villa first started scouting Alvarez 11 months ago, long before he tasted Copa America glory and long before he emerged as Argentina’s latest in a long line of golden boys.
You can count Real Madrid, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund among his extensive array of suitors too.
But back to Bertoni’s original point. Is Alvarez the most in-form Argentine footballer on the planet?
Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi are playing a pretty peripheral role at PSG these days. Giovanni Lo Celso is a shadow of the player who dazzled Tottenham supporters in early-2020.
Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez have impressed of late but neither is finding the net with the regularity of Alvarez. Nor are Nicolas Gonzalez, Joaquin Correa or Lucas Ocampos.
Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images
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