FC Barcelona have made an offer to Atletico Madrid for Julián Álvarez.
The reigning La Liga champions are interested in signing the Argentine but Atletico Madrid have an asking price. According to César Luis Merlo, FC Barcelona have sunmitted a €100 million bid to Atletico for Álvarez which was turned down.
Atletico Madrid are requesting €150 million for the Argentine.
José Manuel López spoke about being called up to the Argentina national team for the World Cup and playing alongside Lionel Messi.
López will be part of the Argentina national team for the World Cup and the Argentine also assisted three times for Palmeiras in their 4-1 win against Junior Barranquilla in the Copa Libertadores. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what Lopez had to say. Quotes via TwitPalmeiras:
“I’m very happy. I always imagined that when this moment arrived, I’d cry or have some other different reaction. But I’ve worked so hard and dreamed so much about this that today I mainly feel happiness.
“It’s a moment of great emotion, especially for my family, who have been by my side during the tough times and can now also enjoy this achievement. I’m happy for Palmeiras qualifying, for the team’s performance and of course for the call-up.
“If I stop to think about it, I’ll be living something historic. Sharing this moment with the greatest player in history, Lionel Messi. That’s very special to me. Now I want to make the most of it, work hard, help the national team in whatever way possible and be ready if an opportunity arises. The most important thing is to enjoy this moment an keep giving my best.”
Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira spoke about José Manuel López and knowing that Lopez was going to the World Cup with the Argentina national team.
José Manuel López has been included in the Argentina national team for the World Cup and also had three assists for Palmeiras in their 4-1 win against Junior Barranquilla in the Copa Libertadores. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what coach Abel Ferreira was said. The quotes via TwitPalmeiras:
“There’s no secret at all. I’d known for some time that Flaco López would be called up. Our coaching staff keeps in touch with various national teams and that information was already known internally.
“I didn’t tell him because dealing with that kind of expectation and emotion isn’t always easy. I always told Flaco that his national team was Palmeiras and that to get to the Argentina national team, he first needed to be performing well here.
“My message was simple. If he wanted to be called up, he would have to perform well at Palmeiras. Without that, the path to the national team would be much more difficult.”
Abel Ferreira also spoke about when they first signed the Argentine:
“Flaco López is the result of a lot of hard work. We know how difficult it is to form and develop players of that level, especially in a period when many players are living with the expectation of competing in a World Cup.
“We were heavily criticized for signing him. Flaco was questioned and pressured but when that happens, the answer has to be resilience. It’s about trusting the process and keep working.
“Football is like life. There are phases when everything flows and others when the difficulties show up. The difference isn’t just in winning or losing but in how we face obstacles.
“For me, what defines the best is the attitude in the face of tough moments. And Flaco showed that ability to keep going, believe in the work and evolve.”
The Argentina national team shirt numbers have been announced for the World Cup and Lionel Messi will wear the number 10 shirt for a record time.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni announced his list of players for the World Cup and Lionel Messi will wear the number 10 shirt. Messi first wore the number 10 shirt at a World Cup in 2010 before reaching the final in 2014 in Brazil.
Lionel Messi wore the number 10 shirt in 2018 and in 2022 when Argentina won the World Cup. Messi will once more wear the number 10 shirt for a record fifth time.
No Argentine player has ever worn the number 10 shirt as many times as Lionel Messi will have worn it. Diego Maradona wore the number 10 shirt four times at a World Cup. Here are the shirt numbers:
1: Juan Musso
2: Leonardo Balerdi
3: Nicolás Tagliafico
4: Gonzalo Montiel
5: Leandro Paredes
6: Lisandro Martínez
7: Rodrigo De Paul
8: Valentín Barco
9: Julián Álvarez
10: Lionel Messi
11: Giovani Lo Celso
12: Gerónimo Rulli
13: Cristian Romero
14: Exequiel Palacios
15: Nicolás González
16: Thiago Almada
17: Giuliano Simeone
18: Nico Paz
19: Nicolás Otamendi
20: Alexis Mac Allister
21: José Manuel López
22: Lautaro Martínez
23: Emiliano Martínez
24: Enzo Fernández
25: Facundo Medina
26: Nahuel Molina
José Manuel López had three assists for Palmeiras in their 4-1 win against Junior Barranquilla in the Copa Libertadores.
López has been called-up to the Argentina national team for the World Cup and had three assists for Palmeiras in their win. With the score at 0-0, López received the ball in midfield and went out wide, playing a pass to Jhon Arias who scored to give Palmeiras the 1-0 lead.
With the score at 1-1, Agustin Giay played a cross into the penalty area which found José Manuel López but his header hit the crossbar. In the same play, López would receive the ball, cut inside but his effort would fall to Allan and he would score the second goal of the match for Palmeiras.
At 2-1 Palmeiras, the Argentine received the ball outside of the penalty area, he dribbled out wide into the penalty area and passed it to Jhon Arias who would score his second goal of the match.
Palmeiras would score one more goal and José Manuel López would finish with three assists.
