Statistics have taken over the modern game and when Erling Haaland is around that is only to be expected.
Manchester City won the goalscoring lottery this summer when signing the Norway sensation for £51million from Borussia Dortmund and he has already repaid that bargain transfer fee with 29 goals in 24 appearances. Alarmingly for Premier League rivals, there will be more to come from him after the World Cup break.
However, no matter what number Haaland ends up on this season, the only figure that realistically matters for City is how many trophies he gets his hands on. As manager Pep Guardiola would no doubt argue, his goals are the icing on the cake for the hard work that goes in behind him defensively and from build-up routines.
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Haaland might see it slightly differently as an elite goal-getter, but having been unable to strut his stuff in Qatar he will be chomping at the bit to start hitting the net once again. His supply line at City has been equally prolific, so far this season, but the World Cup has seemingly forced Guardiola into one change.
Successful clubs at any level need 'Haalands' and they need willing contributors behind them. Guardiola is fortunate to have them in abundance, while Julian Alvarez and his impact on the Argentina team this tournament must not be understated or ignored.
Lionel Messi stole the headlines as he dragged the South Americans through Group C, following their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opener. Alvarez was spared that embarrassment while sitting on the bench, but he ultimately sparked up an Argentina rethink on their way to the final and that must now be replicated domestically.
In three separate roles, Alvarez proved the perfect foil to Messi and could be so for Haaland moving forward. It was always going to take him some time to settle after City took their €21.4million 'gamble' 12 months ago.
But his arrival can be seen as a risk no more. Alvarez is ready to play an important role.
City and their entourage knew it would happen. "Arriving from Argentina and kickstarting your career in the Premier League, especially in a team filled with amazing players like City, is easier said than done," proclaimed Sergio Aguero when pressed on his compatriot, Alvarez, earlier in the World Cup.
"However, he's had a superb adaptation. He has been able to find the net but, most importantly, he's been able to suit Pep's vision perfectly, applying constant pressure, sprinting non-stop, finding gaps and partnering up. It's been his first few months, but he's proven he's a talented and reliable player."
And that is exactly why statistics only tell half the story. With his goals, assists and meteoric status in the game, it was always going to be the Messi show for Argentina, similarly to the position that Alvarez finds himself at City as Haaland continues to take centre stage with his output.
But you get the feeling Alvarez, who does not drum up quite the same numbers, would not have it any other way. He is not and never was destined to be the shadows, but City simply have to cast light on a dream complementary player who has started to shine on his own pathway and appears a snip at the fee they paid.
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