From one crack to another crack, what Mario Kempes said about Julián Álvarez

Mario Alberto Kempes was a purebred goal scorer, champion of the 1978 World Cup and scorer of the 1978 World Cup with the Argentine National Team. A native from Cordoba, El Matador spread his talent and goals from Instituto to Valencia, passing through Rosario Central, River Plate and the Albiceleste National Team in the 70s and 80s. With two World Cups under his belt, he is one of the three best Argentine players in history.

Regarding how he sees his fellow countryman and also from the province Julián Álvarez in terms of his present footballing situation, Mario clarified: "They are both 9. Now Julián is playing a little further back, in River he played a little further forward. Here at City he is playing further back because Haaland is there and he is the goal scorer. But look at Guardiola's intelligence not to give him away first, because normally when you have such a young player you give him away to another team so that he can get into another rhythm at the English level. But such has been the impact of this boy, who for me is a "ha boy", that he has really put a lid on many people's mouths".

On the other hand, the Nacional 1981 champion with El Millonario added: "Because many people said yes, "he comes from River, he is a scorer, a very good player", but in England it is totally different: he arrives in England, he triumphs, he stops the mouths of many people who did not believe in him and arrives at the World Cup. Now, he finds in Lautaro that competition that he has to have in the National Team or in the teams".

Kempes' final opinion on the Spider living in Manchester

"It so happens that Lautaro is a great player, a great scorer, but he didn't hit the target. And a goal scorer who doesn't score is still an important player, but not at the moment of truth. Julian comes in, he gives in to Scaloni, he starts to score goals, he is very restless, he is a player who covers all the outs to the opponents, he gets along perfectly with Messi, well, with Messi they all get along perfectly. He enters a sweet moment for him and takes his place".