What Lionel Messi said about Julian Alvarez after ‘extraordinary’ World Cup performance

Lionel Messi heaped praise on Julian Alvarez after the Manchester City man helped Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 win over Croatia in the World Cup semi-final.

The Manchester City forward became the youngest player since Pele in 1958 to net a brace in a World Cup semi-final, though a masterclass from Messi saw the 35-year-old handed the Man of the Match award ahead of his team-mate.

Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Alvarez was brought down by Dominik Livakovic, dispatching his shot into the roof of the net with aplomb.

Alvarez then scored a brilliant solo goal, running from the halfway line all the way to Croatia’s penalty box before a couple of fortunate ricochets and bounces saw him poke the ball past Livakovic.

The match was then put to bed in the second half when Messi went on a mazy run of his own, twisting and turning past Josko Gvardiol before reaching the byline and laying the ball on a plate for Alvarez to guide into the net from close range.

It is the fourth game of the tournament in which Messi has been handed the Man of the Match award, though he felt the 22-year-old Alvarez would have been equally deserving.

Asked if he would have given the MOTM trophy to anyone else, the Argentina skipper replied: ‘Every player did very well, but if I had to choose I would give this award to Julian. He had an extraordinary game.’

These Messi’s comments shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

“Big praise from the GOAT 🐐 ”
Credit: @CambrookJac

“GOAT recognises GOAT”
Credit: @SmartUnitedFan

“Totally agree fantastic performance!”
Credit: @B99W

“Alvarez deserved it, you see this man of the match things they have lost meaning, Alvarez scored two goals and won a penalty how is he not getting it.”
Credit: @prossy_poundz

“Atleast he admitted Alvarez deserved it”
Credit: @h3mzamcfc

Alvarez has registered seven goals in 18 appearances for Argentina and is expected to start in the final on Sunday. Scaloni’s men will come up against either France or Morocco.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane also praised the striker’s composure after his incredible solo goal, claiming that he loved the 22-year-old’s determination.

“You’ve got to run in this game, especially when it’s direct,” Keane exclaimed. “What I love about this is you’ve got a set piece and a striker going back to do the job properly.

“Croatia obviously, talk about cool heads, they weren’t cool for this four or five minutes. Look at this, power, running – okay there’s not that many options, people looking to help him – but it’s really poor defending, a little bit of luck, but he’s got composure.

“This is poor defending, it’s just this last bit – bang. Composure, right at the end, brilliant.”

Alvarez has registered seven goals and two assists in 20 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side since his summer move to the Etihad Stadium.