“The boy” asked to take a photo with Messi, 10 years later he played in the semi-finals of the World Cup, scoring 2 goals in a row

The victory over Croatia in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals not only gave Argentina a ticket to the final but was also a meaningful match for Julián Álvarez – the star who scored a double in the match. 

Messi and Álvarez (shirt number 9) in the 3-0 win against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Photo: AP

On the morning of December 14, Messi and his teammates on the Argentina team had a convincing 3-0 victory over 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia. This victory helps the South American team boldly enter the final of the largest football tournament on the planet.

The turning point of the match came from the penalty kick in the 31st minute. The Croatian goalkeeper collided with striker Julián Álvarez in a controversial situation. The referee decided to award the Argentina team a penalty kick. Messi did it successfully, increasing the score to 1-0, opening the “3-star” win.

The goal not only created a turning point in the match but was also very meaningful to young striker Álvarez, according to Insider.

During his teenage years, Álvarez always shared his dream: To play with Messi at a World Cup.

On the morning of December 14, Álvarez’s dream came true, even beyond expectations.

After Álvarez earned the penalty for the home team, Messi was the one who took it and scored the opening goal. In the second goal, it was Messi who sparked Álvarez’s solo run from home and scored. The third goal was also a combination of this duo: Messi assisted, Álvarez scored.

10 years ago, Álvarez admired Messi like other boys in Argentina. When he had the opportunity to meet his idol, the 12-year-old boy that year asked to take a photo with Messi.

Immediately after the match on the morning of December 14, Álvarez’s “decade” photo taken with Messi spread quickly on social networks. From reporters, celebrities to sports newspapers and netizens, everyone shared this photo.

At the age of 12, Alvarez asked to take a photo with Messi (left photo) and Alvarez’s celebration when playing with his idol on the Argentina team. Photo: Twitter

“Julian Alvarez went from asking to take a photo with his idol Messi to scoring and celebrating with his idol. The stars have turned their dreams into reality,” ESPN posted on Twitter with a photo taken together between Alvarez and Messi 10 years ago.

Fabrizio Romano, a famous Italian transfer reporter, wrote on Twitter on December 14: “10 years ago: Álvarez asked to take a photo with Messi, wishing to play with his idol at the World Cup. Today : Álvarez scored a double in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and celebrated with his idol.”

“Great duo. 10 years ago, Alvarez even asked to take a photo with Messi. Now, that boy has grown up and scored for Argentina in the World Cup. More specifically, the creator is his idol Messi.” , Mimi Fawaz, a BBC reporter, shared on Twitter with a photo.

Peter Yang, a netizen, also shared the photo with the note: “Please take a photo and score with your idol 10 years later. It can only be Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.”

According to Insider, this is Messi’s 5th World Cup and Álvarez’s first World Cup. The responsibility of these two stars is to help the Argentina team overcome the winner of the semi-final match between France and Morocco on the morning of December 15 to win the prestigious World Cup championship. The 2022 World Cup final is scheduled to take place at 10:00 p.m. on December 18 (Vietnam time).