Julian Alvarez reckons playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland can ultimately help make him an even better player.
Alvarez has had to be patient for starts at Manchester City this season, with goal machine Haaland scoring for fun, notching up 22 goals from just 16 appearances. Despite being in Haaland's giant shadow this season, Alvarez has been involved in 16 of City's 18 games, although mainly from the bench, with just five starts.
But the 22-year-old Argentina striker - who has four goals this term - will start against Sevilla on Wednesday night, in the absence of the injured Haaland, with City already through to the last 16 as group winners.
And Alvarez, who joined City from River Plate in a £14million deal, is adamant Haaland's goalscoring heroics will not block his progress – insisting he can learn from the Norwegian phenomenon.
"First and foremost it's a privilege playing with him, because it's always great to play alongside the best in the world,” said Alvarez. "I've played with him and without him and I think we can learn from each other both ways.
“I like how he always wants to bring the best to the team. We’re very different players, but people have to adapt to different types of play and different styles when players line up. I like to occupy different positions on the pitch.
"I'm used to these types of situations, but I trust in myself and in my own ability and know the other players trust me as well. It's important that however way we can, we win."
Reflecting on his lack of regular game-time this season, Alvarez said: "That's how things are, but you have to accept it. Where I played before, there haven’t been many of them, but at River Plate I had times when I wasn’t playing as regularly, and in the national team I don’t play all the time.
"But I try and train as hard as I can, so I’m ready and able to help the team with my qualities, technique and style, and hopefully do what the coaches ask of me."
Alvarez, who consulted City legend and compatriot Sergio Aguero before joining the Blues, will be a key player for Argentina in Qatar 2022, along with Argentina's star man Lionel Messi. Asked what he had learned from playing alongside Messi for their country, Alvarez said: "You always learn just by watching him – but it's difficult to copy what he does.
"We all know what he's done over the years. He's been the best player in the world, obviously. I'm lucky to be able to share a pitch with him and now I have a chance to play alongside him as part of the national side."
Looking ahead to this month's tournament, which starts in 18 days, Alvarez said: "We know about the World Cup, because there's coverage all over the place about it coming up. We know it's a short time away, but there's lots to do here. We know what we have to do here on a daily basis at City. There will be plenty of time to think about the World Cup once we get together with the national team.”
