If the matching goal celebration hadn’t already got you excited enough about Julian Alvarez, allow us to draw another tantalising Sergio Aguero parallel.
Sergio, as we well know, loved a hat-trick. He fired 12 of them in the Premier League alone to establish a new record in England’s top flight, with each of the matchballs taking pride of place in his living room.
Alvarez, who is understood to be closing in on a £17.9million move to Manchester City, enjoyed a stunning breakout season with Argentinian giants River Plate last season, scoring 20 goals in 35 appearances en route to Primera Division glory.
Within that haul were the first two hat-tricks of the 21-year-old’s fledgling career.
He pilfered four in a 5-0 win over Patronato in November, his second treble of the season after a standout showing against a club with a cherished link to City.
Pablo Zabaleta joined San Lorenzo’s academy as a 12-year-old, living in club-owned accommodation in Buenos Aires.
A combative midfielder in his early days, Zabaleta progressed through the ranks to make his professional breakthrough before Europe came calling, with a 2005 switch to Espanyol preceding a glorious nine years in east Manchester.
San Lorenzo retained a place in Zaba’s heart as he celebrated their 2014 Copa Libertadores triumph. If Alvarez completes his move to City, he has a little bit of making up to do to a club great after his exploits on October 18 last year.
Champions elect River hosted San Lorenzo at El Monumental and Nicolas Ezequiel Fernandez lashed into the bottom corner to put the visitors in front midway through the first half.
We’re really trying not to labour the point on weighty Kun comparisons, but his sublime 31st equaliser here… well.
Alvarez allowed Santiago Simon’s pass to run into his path before clattering an unstoppable low, dipping strike from 22 yards. It was a strike his hero Aguero would have been proud to call his own.
The game was still level as it ticked into the final half-hour, when Julian was on hand to show his poaching instincts - coolly prodding into an unguarded net after San Lorenzo goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico saved with his legs.
San Lorenzo pressed gamely for an equaliser but that left them exposed on the break and Alvarez caught out their high defensive line six minutes from time.
The young forward still had plenty to do as he scampered onto Robert Rojas’ through ball down the right. Torrico tearing out of his area served to make Alvarez’s mind up and he slotted home an ice-cool finish from a tight angle to complete his treble.
It sealed a very complete hat-trick, comprised of three very different goals. Aguero, Zabaleta and anyone else with City affiliations would love to see similar in a sky blue shirt at some point in the near future.
To be honest, it’s the least he can do, isn’t it Pablo?
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