If football fans across the world weren't already aware of the supreme talents of Julian Alvarez, they certainly are now.
The Manchester City forward put in another superb World Cup performance on Tuesday, scoring twice and winning a penalty as La Albiceleste saw off Croatia 3-0 to reach the final for the sixth time.
Starting in a front-two with his idol Lionel Messi, Alvarez did all the things City fans have already come to love him for since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer. He was sharp and composed on the ball, he led the press energetically and his finishing was lethal.
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The 22-year-old played a role in all three of his side's goals. He won the penalty that Messi converted to become Argentina's all-time leading scorer at World Cups, timing his run to perfection before being felled by the goalkeeper.
There were Messi and Sergio Aguero-esque qualities to Alvarez's first goal, an incredible solo effort that saw him dribble from the halfway line, keep control of the ball despite a few deflections and then coolly stab the ball beyond the keeper. His third, a simple tap-in from six yards, capped a remarkable run from Messi.
Tuesday night wasn't a one-off either. Since he came into Lionel Scaloni's preferred XI after starting Argentina's first two group games on the bench, Alvarez has looked the real deal. With four goals at the tournament he is in the running for the Golden Boot.
Given the impressive start to life he has made at City - despite largely living in the shadow of Erling Haaland - and his World Cup exploits, it's incredible to think that City paid just £14m plus add-ons to sign Alvarez earlier this year. While emerging stars from South America do tend to be cheaper than those already playing in Europe, the reality is that City identified and signed a top-level striker for what must now be a fraction of his true worth.
Alvarez's rise highlights the exceptional work that City's scouting department do, but it also puts to rest the myth that City throw money around like there's no tomorrow. Many critics would have you believe that every signing the Blues make is a Jack Grealish or an Erling Haaland, a record transfer or a deal involving astronomical wages and agent fees.
Alvarez is proof that City make excellent signings regardless of price point, and there are other examples too. Manuel Akanji was a last-minute deadline day buy, but for £15m they got themselves an experienced centre-back well-suited to Pep Guardiola's system.
Sergio Gomez is very much a signing for the future, but has already shown promising signs. At £11m he could prove to be a real bargain. Even players that haven't made the grade yet, such as Kayky, still have a few years to improve. Even if the Brazilian teenager does prove to be a bust, City will be confident of recouping the £9m they paid for him.
City fans already know this of course, but hopefully the success of Alvarez on the world stage will show outsiders that City's squad isn't just built on hefty transfer fees. Money is important, but not as much as quality scouting and recruitment.
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