Julián Álvarez
Agent, Salary, Contract, Club and Profile
Argentina €110mm
Key Facts
Date of birth: 31.01.2000
Nationality: Argentina
Current club: Atlético de Madrid
Position: Centre-Forward / Second Striker
Height: 1.70m
Current market value: €110mm
Represented by: Fernando Hidalgo – Football Agent
Main agent: Fernando Hidalgo
Reported salary: €14.58m gross per year
Contract expires: 30.06.2030
About
Julián Álvarez is an Argentine forward who plays for Atlético de Madrid and the Argentina national team. A versatile attacker capable of operating as a centre-forward, second striker or attacking midfielder, he combines intelligent movement, pressing intensity, finishing and strong combination play.
Álvarez developed through River Plate and emerged as one of the most productive forwards in South American football before Manchester City secured his transfer. He spent two seasons in England, winning six major trophies and playing an important role in the club’s historic 2022/23 treble.
Atlético Madrid signed him in August 2024, giving Álvarez a more central attacking role. He quickly became one of the club’s leading forwards and reached 100 Atlético appearances with 46 goals and 16 assists.
At international level, Álvarez has already built an exceptional record. He won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. At the 2026 World Cup, he again played an important role as Argentina reached the final, scoring a decisive extra-time goal against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Representation
Main representative: Fernando Hidalgo
Full name: Fernando Osvaldo Hidalgo
Headquarters: Argentina
Jurisdiction: Argentina, Spain, Italy and other international markets
AFA status: Registered Argentine football intermediary
Linked with Álvarez since: His River Plate career
Also represents: Cristian Pavón and other South American players
Notable former clients: Diego Milito, Claudio López and Mariano González
Related agency page: Fernando Hidalgo – Football Agent
Álvarez has been represented by Fernando Hidalgo throughout the key stages of his professional career.
Hidalgo accompanied him from River Plate through his transfer to Manchester City and later negotiated the major move to Atlético Madrid in 2024.
The Argentine agent operates a relatively small boutique practice compared with many multinational agencies, with a strong focus on high-level South American players and transfers between Argentina and Europe.
Álvarez has become the most valuable player within Hidalgo’s active portfolio and one of the highest-profile individual clients represented by an independent Argentine agent.
Career timeline
2016: Joined River Plate’s academy
October 2018: Made his River Plate senior debut
December 2018: Won the Copa Libertadores with River Plate
2019: Scored his first senior competitive goal
2019: Won the Copa Argentina
2021: Won the Argentine Primera División with River Plate
2021: Finished as one of Argentina’s leading domestic goalscorers
2021: Won the Copa América with Argentina
January 2022: Manchester City agreed to sign him
2022: Won the Finalissima with Argentina
July 2022: Officially joined Manchester City
December 2022: Won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina
2022/23: Won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble
2023: Won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
2023/24: Won a second consecutive Premier League title
2024: Won a second Copa América with Argentina
August 2024: Joined Atlético de Madrid
2024/25: Became one of Atlético’s leading attacking players
2025/26: Continued as a central figure in Atlético’s attack
2026: Represented Argentina at the FIFA World Cup
July 2026: Scored the decisive extra-time goal against Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals
July 2026: Helped Argentina reach a second consecutive World Cup final
2026: Reached 100 appearances for Atlético Madrid, with 46 goals and 16 assists
Transfer history
2018 – River Plate academy to first team – Promoted into senior football
2022 – River Plate to Manchester City – Permanent transfer – Reported fee: approximately €21m
2024 – Manchester City to Atlético de Madrid – Permanent transfer – Reported initial fee: approximately €75m, potentially rising to around €95m with bonuses – Contract until June 2030
Álvarez developed into one of Argentina’s most valuable forwards during his final seasons with River Plate.
Manchester City moved early to secure him in January 2022 before allowing him to remain temporarily with River. His transfer ultimately proved highly successful, with Álvarez scoring 36 goals in 103 appearances and winning six major trophies during two seasons in Manchester.
Atlético Madrid then made a major investment to sign him in 2024. The guaranteed fee was approximately €75m, with performance-related additions capable of increasing the total package towards €95m.
His performances in Madrid subsequently lifted his market value significantly, placing him among the most valuable centre-forwards in world football.
Playing profile
Álvarez is primarily a centre-forward but is considerably more versatile than a traditional number nine. He can operate as a second striker, number ten or from wider attacking positions.
His movement is one of his defining qualities. Álvarez continually changes positions across the attacking line, making it difficult for centre-backs and defensive midfielders to decide who should track him.
He is an excellent presser. His intensity without possession allows him to close defenders quickly, force mistakes and contribute significantly to an aggressive defensive structure.
Álvarez is also a highly accomplished finisher. He can score with either foot, finish first-time and convert chances from outside the penalty area.
His ability to combine with teammates makes him particularly effective when playing alongside another striker. He can drop between the lines, connect midfield with attack and then accelerate into the penalty area.
He is also increasingly dangerous from set pieces and longer-range shooting positions, adding further variety to his attacking game.
His combination of work rate, tactical intelligence and technical quality makes him suitable for several attacking systems and one of the most complete forwards of his generation.
Key strengths
Intelligent attacking movement
Finishing with both feet
High pressing intensity
Combination play
Movement between the lines
Long-range shooting
Off-ball runs
Counter-pressing
First-touch finishing
Positional versatility
Big-game experience
Tactical intelligence
