Julián Álvarez
#9 · Forward · age 26
4 goals at Qatar 2022; co-leader of post-Messi era
93
WC26 rating
- Recent form
- 73
- Career peak
- 87
- League level
- 90
- Competition pedigree
- 98
- International pedigree
- 89
- Longevity
- 78
Independent rating — league strength (Opta-anchored) × competition tier × position-normalized output. Not affiliated with EA or FIFA.
Career by season
Source: sofascore · fetched 2026-05-29
Álvarez is the second striker who functions as a 9.5 — capable of partnering Lautaro, replacing him, or floating wide to let Messi occupy the centre. Scaloni’s most flexible attacking piece, he is the player most likely to feature in every group game from the start.
His Qatar 2022 form set a high bar, but his game has matured: less reckless pressing, more positional discipline, and a sharper edge in the box from a Simeone system that demands relentless verticality. Against deep blocks in Group J, his ability to receive between the lines and turn under pressure may be the difference between Argentina’s possession turning into chances or stalling at the edge of the box.
Strengths
- Two-footed finishing inside the box
- Off-ball running into the channels and behind the line
- Defensive workrate — fits Argentina's high-press structure
Recent form
Over 25 goals in all competitions for Atlético through May 2026; ended qualifying with five goals for Argentina.
Won the World Cup, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Club World Cup all before turning 23.