Julián Álvarez was born on 31 January 2000 in Calchín, Córdoba, Argentina. He came through the academy at River Plate, making his professional debut in October 2018 and going on to win the Copa Libertadores that same year. By 2021 he had established himself as one of South America's most promising forwards, finishing as the Argentine Primera División's top scorer and earning the South American Footballer of the Year award.
Manchester City signed him in January 2022 for around £14 million, and he made an immediate impression. In his debut season he was part of the squad that won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League treble. His contribution at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was equally notable — he scored four goals across the tournament, including two in the semi-final against Croatia, helping Argentina lift the trophy for the first time since 1986.
A versatile and industrious forward, Álvarez is direct, press-resistant, and capable of creating as well as finishing, with reliable technique on his right foot. During his second City season, manager Pep Guardiola regularly deployed him in an attacking midfield role in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, and he responded with 19 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
In August 2024, Atlético Madrid signed him on a six-year deal reportedly worth up to €95 million, a club-record sale for City. He made his senior international debut for Argentina in June 2021 and has since been a regular fixture in a squad that has won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 as well as the 2022 World Cup.