It’s not every day that your new boss casually predicts you’ll become a world champion — but that’s exactly what happened to Julián Álvarez when he first joined Manchester City.
The Argentine striker recently opened up about a surprising conversation he had with Pep Guardiola back in 2022, just after making the leap from River Plate to one of Europe’s top clubs.
And, as it turns out, Pep had a crystal ball moment that would eventually come true on football’s biggest stage.
Quiet Beginnings, Big Claims
Alvarez recalled his first few days at City, still adjusting to the Premier League pace and mostly keeping to himself.
A group of teammates — including Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo, Ederson, and Rodri — were having a lively chat about which national teams were strongest ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I didn’t say anything,” Alvarez said. “I had just arrived and was still getting used to everything.”
But in the middle of that discussion, Guardiola turned to the group and said something that stuck with him.
“You know who hasn’t said anything? He’s going to be the champion,” Pep said, pointing directly at Alvarez.
A World Cup Win and a City Treble
Fast forward to the end of 2022, and Guardiola’s bold declaration proved spot on.
Argentina went on to win the World Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating France in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Alvarez played a crucial role in that tournament — and it was just the beginning.
Back at City, Alvarez was instrumental in helping the team secure a historic treble during the 2022-23 season.
But despite his breakout performances, his time in Manchester ended after just two years.
A New Chapter in Spain
In the summer of 2024, Alvarez made a headline-grabbing £81 million move to Atletico Madrid.
Under Diego Simeone’s management, he’s been thriving — scoring 29 goals in 54 matches in his first season alone.
It’s a shift that shocked many fans — and even Guardiola himself, who later admitted he didn’t expect Alvarez to actually leave.
Guardiola’s Honest Take on Letting Alvarez Go
Looking back, Guardiola shared that Alvarez had been in talks with other clubs for a while, and though City didn’t necessarily plan to let him go, the transfer eventually went through.
“I’m happy with the squad,” Guardiola said at the time. “But yes, maybe it was a mistake.
Julian wanted more time on the pitch, and I respect that.”
He acknowledged that depth was important and that with players like Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb (once recovered from injury), and others available, City could manage — but he still felt the sting of losing a talent like Alvarez.
A Star on the Rise
Whether it was Pep’s intuition or just sheer luck, his prediction turned out to be a defining moment for Álvarez.
From his quiet entrance at Manchester City to becoming a world champion and now a leading star at Atletico Madrid, it’s safe to say the 25-year-old striker is just getting started.