Julián Álvarez: The man who doesn't know how to stop running

Before the start of the Qatar World Cup, Lautaro Martínez was almost certain to be Argentina's main striker alongside Messi. Lautaro had been having an outstanding season with Italian club Inter Milan and was the team's second-highest goal scorer after Messi. His place in the squad seemed secure.

Lautaro started alongside Messi in Argentina's opening match against Saudi Arabia, where two of his goals were disallowed for offside. However, after failing to score again in the following match against Mexico, coach Lionel Scaloni replaced Lautaro with Julián Álvarez for the game against Poland. Since then, Álvarez has found himself in the race for the Golden Boot alongside Messi and Mbappé.

Julián Álvarez has shown how to seize an opportunity when it arises. Just a short while ago, he was playing for River Plate in Argentina's domestic league. After scoring six goals in one match, he caught the attention of Pep Guardiola, whose contribution to Lionel Messi's rise to prominence is well known.

Guardiola, ever the talent spotter, brought Álvarez to Manchester City for just €18 million. Although he plays as City's second striker behind Erling Haaland, Álvarez has already scored seven goals. His impressive form left Scaloni with no doubts about selecting him for the World Cup squad.

Álvarez's playing style has drawn comparisons to Sergio Agüero, another Manchester City legend who won numerous titles under Guardiola. Despite this, Álvarez was unsure if he would get a starting place in the World Cup, likely waiting patiently for his chance.

That chance came against Poland. Although he had come on as a substitute in the previous two matches, he had not been able to make much of an impact. Starting against Poland, Álvarez showed exactly what he was capable of. He scored Argentina's second goal, helping secure a victory and confirming their place as group champions. With excellent control and a powerful finish inside the box, he found the back of the net.

In the Round of 16 match against Australia, Álvarez demonstrated his greatest quality: relentless persistence. Whether or not he had the ball, he was always willing to chase it down. His relentless pressure forced a mistake from the Australian goalkeeper, which Álvarez capitalised on to score.

He gave the Dutch defence no rest in the quarter-final either. His constant presence kept the Netherlands on edge throughout the game.

In the semi-final against Croatia, Álvarez provided a glimpse of the great player he is destined to become. He was involved in all three of Argentina's goals. He won the penalty for Messi's opener after being fouled by Croatian goalkeeper Livaković. He then ran almost the entire length of the pitch to score Argentina's second goal, receiving Messi's pass and making a determined dash into the Croatian half, finishing the move with a bit of luck but also plenty of skill.

Although Messi deserves full credit for the third goal, Álvarez was in the right place to capitalise on Messi's brilliant assist.

Álvarez's boundless energy and tireless running have allowed Messi to perform at his best. While Messi was an outstanding presser earlier in his career, age has limited his ability to maintain that intensity. Álvarez seems to make up for that, pressing relentlessly and keeping opposition defences constantly on edge, worried that he might appear at any moment to steal the ball.

Having overtaken a striker of Lautaro Martínez's calibre, Álvarez has become Argentina's beacon of hope. Alongside Messi's five goals, Álvarez has netted four. Referring to Argentina simply as "Messi's team" would now be an injustice.

Álvarez is firmly in the race for the Golden Boot, and if he surpasses both Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the final, no one would be happier than Messi himself.

Get ready to witness Álvarez's relentless attacks on France's defence. Julián Álvarez is coming to take it all.