Julian Alvarez has revealed that Pep Guardiola predicted Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory soon after the striker joined Manchester City.
Argentina clinched the trophy in Qatar, defeating France in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final.
Alvarez had joined the City squad less than six months earlier, following a move from River Plate.
The 25-year-old has recalled a training ground chat where Guardiola confidently named Argentina as the tournament winners a prediction that proved spot on.
‘Yes, I remember, it was during my first days after arriving and the guys were there,’ the striker said.
‘The Portuguese players like Bernardo (Silva), Ruben Dias, (Joao) Cancelo, Ederson was there too, Rodri. They were all talking and I had just arrived so I didn’t say anything.
‘I’m quite a quiet person, and since I had just gotten there, they were talking about which national team were strong and so on.
‘And they Pep says “you know who doesn’t say anything is going to end up champion?” And he pointed at me.’
Alvarez spent two years at Manchester City, playing a crucial role in their treble-winning 2022-23 season.
He made an £81m move to Atletico Madrid last summer and has thrived in his first season in Spain, scoring 29 goals in 54 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side.
Speaking last August, Guardiola admitted that he regrets letting Alvarez leave.
He said: ‘I’m happy with the squad. We didn’t expect Julian was leaving, although he had conversations a long time ago with other clubs and his agent, so it could happen and in the end it happened.
‘We saw what we have, if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem, but in a few months Oscar Bobb will be back [from injury] and Phil [Foden] is in that position, McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo…
‘They are different players to Erling of course. Maybe it is a mistake [letting Alvarez leave], I don’t know but I don’t like leaving players without playing for a long time. When everyone is involved with a chance to play the performance of the teams is always better.
‘I know the group and how serious and professional they are and their commitment in every single game. We are pretty sure it is better to wait,’ he added.
