Sergio Aguero praised the young Alvarez in an interview with ESPN. “Alvarez has matured a lot and he will learn and accumulate more things as time goes on.”

Two days earlier, Alvarez, 22, had scored his debut goal in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier away to Ecuador.

“Alvarez has matured a lot and he is learning and accumulating over time,” Aguero told reporters. Like trying things you haven’t done before, things you haven’t understood before… It’s going to happen to him and it’s going to take time.”

“At the end of every game, he knows something. As you can see, he has matured a lot and learned more. There must be a reason Manchester City chose to sign him. He was a great guy, a standout, a little shy, a little quiet. It would have been better to wait until June to go to Manchester City.

“Messi is very happy with the national team. Even more so after winning the Copa America last year. We’ve been looking forward to it, we’ve been waiting for the trophy, but most of all it gives everyone that extra motivation and happiness, especially him. It relieved him of the burden of years of wanting to win titles for his country. You can see it on the pitch, from the pitch to the fans, being able to enjoy it more.”