Julian Alvarez names 32-year-old Brazil star as player he would like to nationalize and play for Argentina instead
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has named Neymar as the player he would like to nationalize and play for Argentina. The 32-year-old Brazilian is regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
In a recent interview, Alvarez was asked to name who he would like to see wear the colors of his national team. He said (via All About Argentina's X):
"A player I would like to nationalize for Argentina? Neymar."
Neymar is arguably one of Brazil's most talented players ever. He is his country's all-time top goalscorer with 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 matches but has yet to lead Brazil to a major title. Injuries have affected most of Neymar's career, hindering his ability to perform at his best.
Alvarez, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the finest strikers in football, winning multiple honors such as the Copa America (2021, 2024), and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with La Albiceleste.
The Argentine caught the attention of top European clubs during his time with his boyhood club River Plate, where he recorded 54 goals and 31 assists in 122 games. He also led the club to major trophies like the Argentine Primera Divison, Copa Argentina, and most notably the 2018 Copa Libertadores.
In 2022, he joined Manchester City for a reported £14 million. In his first season at the Etihad, Alvarez contributed 17 goals and five assists as Pep Guardiola's side won the continental treble. He became the first-ever player to win the FIFA World Cup and the continental treble in the same season.
A failure to cement a regular spot in Guardiola's XI saw Alvarez sign for Atletico Madrid in the summer in a reported £81 million transfer deal. Alvarez has been prolific for Diego Simeone's side so far, netting 12 times and creating two more in 24 outings across competitions.
How have Argentina and Brazil fared in recent times?
Argentina and Brazil are the two most successful South American nations in international men's football. The former has won three FIFA World Cups, while the latter holds the record for most wins with five. However, La Albiceleste boast of more Copa America titles (a record 16) compared to A Selecao's nine.
In recent years, La Albiceleste have enjoyed more success than Brazil. They have won consecutive Copa America titles and are the current holders of the FIFA World Cup. Brazil lost the 2021 Copa America final to their bitter rivals (1-0) and were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Uruguay in the 2024 edition on penalties.