The forward from Manchester City spearheaded Argentina’s оffеnꜱιυе alongside Messi as the Albiceleste secured their first World Cup victory in 36 years in Qatar. The duo is poised to reunite for Lionel Scaloni’s team at the upcoming Copa America, potentially marking Messi’s final appearance with Argentina. Nonetheless, Alvarez expressed his desire for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to continue representing his country.

“It will depend on him but I think if he wants to he can do it comfortably,” Alvarez told GOAL in an exclusive interview. Asked if he and his Argentina team-mates want Messi to keep playing, Alvarez said: “Yes we do too.”

Alvarez, who admired Messi while growing up, finds it surreal that he now shares the field with his childhood hero while representing Argentina. “When I was growing up he was my idol and I remember in the training sessions with the senior team I asked him for a photo,” Alvarez added. “And then when I went to the senior team I got another point of view. It’s something ϲrazy but also really nice and I try to enjoy every moment playing with him. And I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved with the national team in this time and which he got after searching for it so long.”

Messi holds the record as Argentina’s highest scorer, netting 106 goals, a remarkable 50 more than the second-ranked Gabriel Batistuta, whom he surpassed in 2016. Additionally, he surpassed Batistuta’s record as Argentina’s top scorer in the World Cup by registering seven goals in Qatar.