From Copa America Triumph to Olympic Stage: Alvarez Says the Only Thing Missing Is an Olympic Gold Medal

Argentine star Julián Álvarez is a lucky charm in the football world. This young player has already reached the pinnacle of glory several times in his brief career. From River Plate to Manchester City, from the green fields of Argentina to the grand stages of Europe, Álvarez has virtually won every imaginable award—Copa Libertadores, Premier League, Champions League, World Cup, Copa America… However, there is still one accolade that remains unfilled in his illustrious trophy cabinet—the Olympic gold medal.

Recently, Álvarez helped Argentina win the Copa America title, and while his teammates basked in the glory of victory, he had already set his sights on the next peak—the Paris Olympics. This time, he will join the Argentina U23 national team as one of the overage players under the leadership of Javier Mascherano, alongside fellow overage players Nicolás Otamendi and Germán Rulli, all chasing the coveted gold medal.

At the club level, Álvarez is eager for more playing time, with Erling Haaland’s presence challenging his starting position. However, participating in the Olympics means he will miss part of Manchester City’s pre-season preparations and may even impact the start of the new season—a tough decision to make.

Nonetheless, he chose the Olympics without hesitation. “It’s an honor to be able to participate in all competitions,” Álvarez admitted during an interview at the Argentine Football Association’s studio. “This is the only honor I haven’t achieved yet, and just being able to compete is a privilege.”

According to the Argentine newspaper Olé, communication with the club was not easy, but eventually, Manchester City agreed to release him, much like when Messi participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, demonstrating the club’s support for the player’s personal growth. Álvarez revealed, “Mascherano called me, and I agreed. But I had to communicate with the club, and after some back-and-forth negotiations, they agreed to let me go.”

Álvarez knows that the journey to an Olympic gold medal will not be easy. He will miss some friendly matches, but all these sacrifices are for the pursuit of a greater dream.