River Plate youth football co-ordinator Gabriel Rodriguez has revealed that needed just ten minutes of Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez's academy trial to make the decision to sign him.
The versatile attacker, who scored 17 goals in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium last term, was invited to River Plate's academy several years ago after impressing elsewhere. River Plate youth academy guru Rodriguez was altered to his talent by Alfredo Alonso, who was working at Argentinos Juniors at the time.
Once alerted to Alvarez's exciting potential, Rodriguez made contact with the City forward's father and asked him to report to River Plate's academy for a trial. It was a very brave decision by Rodriguez, as he had never actually seen Alvarez play.
But just ten minutes into his trial, the River Plate academy expert had seen enough and fully understood why Alonso had recommended him to the Argentine heavyweights. Rodriguez got Alvarez to sign on the dotted line there and then, tying him down to a deal at one of Argentina's biggest clubs.
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"Argentinos Juniors did not have the structure that River has in its youth football, nor the capacity to host Julian for at least a week of trials," Rodriguez told The Coaches' Voice. "Alfredo was angry because Argentinos Juniors could not provide for the boy's maintenance.
"So I asked him for Julian's father's phone number. I was going to invite him for a trial at River without ever seeing him play.
"Now, back to that conversation with his father. After my introduction and his disbelief, I went on to tell him that I would like Julian to come and see the academy, and train with our youth teams. 'I have seen very good qualities in him', I said. 'And I really believe he could have a place within the institution'.
"His father said he would talk it over at home, with both his wife and Julian. After that, he would call me. One day later, he did just that – and said yes to my offer.
"Julian came to the academy for a trial. Within ten minutes of it starting, I got him signed."
Rodriguez also oversaw the development of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez at River Plate. Alongside Alvarez, the former Benfica ace helped Argentina win last year's World Cup in Qatar, an occasion that Rodriguez will never forget.
Rodriguez added: "They still remember me today, and remain in contact with me through messages. They have grown a lot professionally, but they are still the same boys I knew when they first came to the River academy.
Success hasn't changed them. That's why seeing them win a World Cup, or compete at the highest level in the best leagues in the world, is something that will stay with me until the last days of my life."
