This Wednesday
marks the first month since the Argentine National Team became world champion in Qatar
and the footballers remembered the feat with pure emotion.
One of them was Julián Álvarez, who came as a replacement and ended up being a key man for Lionel Scaloni's team.
In a chat with ESPN,
the Araña spoke about the messages that Marcelo Gallardo, his former coach at River
r, had sent him, highlighted his top moments at the World Cup and referred to the tremendous reception he received upon returning to England, with congratulations from Guardiola included.
Julian's best quotes
From substitute to starter:
"You always try to be available and prepared. From the beginning you knew that I wasn't going to start playing there but I tried to prepare myself to be the best possible in whatever I had to do. A World Cup is a few games and we all have to be pulling in the same direction. That's why the one who comes on from the bench is more important than those who start playing. Over time the games went by, Lautaro (Martínez) had some discomfort and I was able to have more participation".
Chats with the Doll:
"Gallardo sent me messages during the World Cup, that he was proud and congratulated me for what I was doing and that he continue in that way."
Goal for Croatia:
"Every moment of the World Cup will stay with me for the rest of my life, not just the games but what we all live together in the concentration. But that goal, for what it meant, playing a semifinal to go to the final, that it's so important. And it was a nice goal as well, apart from the fact that I had a bit of luck in the last meters, but it was a very nice goal and it will remain in my best memories forever".
It still does not fall:
"We see images all the time, everywhere and they will remain forever. It was an incomparable moment. When I see it now I cannot believe it, it is difficult to fall and give it the value it really has. At the moment It was joy, the satisfaction of having achieved it, it is the ultimate dream personally and for all of us who are passionate about this sport".
The group:
"It is a joy as time goes by we are going to take more dimension and giving more value to what it meant to live that moment, and those 30 days together there, we will never forget it. We had a great time when we were together and I think that was reflected on the pitch."
The celebrations:
"At that time I couldn't see much, I tried to enjoy every moment with my family and my loved ones. You know how hard I worked and made an effort in this time to achieve this. The reception was crazy, coming back from Doha and to see so many people, the emotion, the crazy and happy people everywhere. They were impressive days. You have to enjoy it and celebrate it as we did, and as each one of the Argentines did".
Julián at the festivities (AFP).
Memories
: "The shirt, obviously the most important one from the final. The medal that I will always keep with me and the memories that there are no photos out there but they were enjoying every second with my teammates".
From Messi fan to teammate
: "The video was when I was 11 years old, all the things that happened until today. One day watching the National Team from home or living a World Cup as a fan, to being on the other side and representing the country and Contributing from any point, whether playing or from outside is a source of pride. And that Messi has achieved it, as I said a while ago, football owed him for everything he gave him and gave to all of us who love this sport. It is deserved and a pride for all.
Julián (left) with his brothers and Messi in 2011.
Scaloni
: "A very sincere, very serious, very organized coach, who gives you the right tools to go out on the field and face the game in great shape, the details of each rival. The most important thing is how we are, how he treats us and how we train to be well beyond facing any rival".
Return to Manchester:
"The reception and the game with a full stadium and that they are happy for a teammate, that they give you that praise in England for your achievement is exciting and a source of pride."
Guardiola
: "He congratulated me, that he was proud of what we had done and for the participation I had. He told me that he saw from the outside how the National Team was doing as a group, beyond football, and that he saw himself reflected on the field" .
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