Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez reported back for duty three days ahead of schedule when he returned to the Etihad on Friday afternoon with a World Cup medal, the freedom of his hometown in Argentina and the promise of a statue to be commissioned in his honour.
But perhaps the biggest clue that the 22-year-old’s life will never quite be the same is that an online petition calling on him to split up with his long-term girlfriend gathered more than 20,000 signatures.
One angry fan was so upset with YouTube influencer Emelia Ferrero’s refusal to allow a group of admirers pose for a photograph with her beau during Argentina’s manic celebrations that they set-up an appeal imploring Alvarez to end their four-year relationship.
