"Football Owes Messi a worldcup"

A man with seven Ballons d'Or and four Champions League triumphs, along with league titles from spells in Spain and France, has come agonisingly close to capturing a global honour in the past - with final heartbreak endured in 2014.

Messi broke his senior international trophy duck when helping Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, while Finalissima glory against Euro 2020 winners Italy has been savoured since them.

Alvarez hopes Messi can go all the way and further enhance his legacy, telling El Pais: “It would be very nice if it could be achieved for all Argentines and because I think that football owes it to Messi for everything he means for football worldwide. I don't know if we are candidates but we are here to fight anyone.”