The World Cup is well underway, and with the group stage now drawing to a close, excitement is beginning to heat up ahead of the jeopardy that is the knockout rounds.
But it’s been a quiet start for Atlético Madrid’s main men who are on international duty this summer.
Alvarez benched as Messi and Argentina shine
After a blockbuster year in the Spanish capital, hopes were high for striker Julián Alvarez. He shone at the World Cup four years ago, inheriting the striking berth from Lautaro Martínez after a shock opening day defeat to Saudi Arabia,
before he went on to play a crucial role as Argentina lifted the trophy for the first time since Diego Maradona’s heyday.
This time around, however, it’s been a different story.
The Atleti hitman has once again had to settle for a bit-part role, with Martínez starting up top alongside the mercurial Lionel Messi. And it has been the little magician, that is the 38-year-old Messi, who has delivered so far. Argentina has scored five goals in their opening two games, and Messi has scored all of them, resulting in him being installed as the short-priced betting favourite to finish the summer as top scorer. The latest World Cup odds position the Inter Miami man as the clear 7/4 favourite to win the Golden Boot this summer, with Atleti’s Alvarez way out at 250/1.
But that’s not all. In recent days, Alvarez has rocked the Metropolitano as he has officially demanded a transfer amid interest from FC Barcelona. The news has drawn the ire of the Rojiblancos faithful, who have supported their talismanic striker at every turn since he arrived at the club two years ago.
So, with Alvarez not only faltering at the World Cup but also on the brink of leaving Atleti, we decided that now would be the perfect time to look back through the history books at some Rojiblancos stars who have shone on the global stage in recent years. Here are the club’s best performers from each of the last three World Cups.
2022: Rodrigo De Paul
Argentina could well be on their way to a second straight World Cup title, but heading into the 2022 showpiece four years ago in Qatar, the landscape was much different. Many thought that tournament would mark the last time Lionel ever appeared on the global stage, and as such, represented his last chance — at the ripe old age of 35 — to finally claim the World Cup for the first time ever, at the fifth time of asking.
The Albiceleste went into the tournament as favourites after winning the Copa America 18 months prior, and the time was very much built around the sensational Messi. But standing out amongst that supporting cast was De Paul, whose tenacious presence in the centre of midfield protected Messi at every given opportunity.
De Paul started all seven of Argentina’s games en route to the title, playing every minute of the three group stage games and the round of 16 triumph against Australia. While he never got on the scoresheet nor made an assist, his lung-busting displays in midfield that allowed the likes of Messi, Alvarez, Ángel Di Maria, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister to shine. Was it not for Atleti’s man, the famous gold trophy may have never headed back to Buenos Aires at all.
2018: Antoine Griezmann
We could have made the case for Griezmann to have been Atletico’s best representative in 2022 after leading France to a second straight final. However, there can be no doubt that he was the star of the show in France’s title-winning campaign at Russia 2018.
Grizou was already the jewel in the French crown heading into that World Cup. He had shone at Euro 2016 two years prior, winning the golden boot award after netting six goals, only to see Les Bleus beaten by Portugal in the final on home turf.
But in Russia, neither Griezmann nor his French comrades were about to be denied. He netted in the opening day win against Australia and was on song again in the thrilling 4-3 Round of 16 win against Argentina. In the quarters, he netted a goal and an assist against Uruguay, before going on to assist Samuel Umtiti’s semifinal winner against Belgium. The final was then all about Griezmann. He netted France’s opener from the penalty spot before providing another pair of assists as Les Bleus downed Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.
2014: Diego Godin
The 2014 World Cup came off the back of Atlético Madrid’s most successful ever season. They had just claimed a shock La Liga victory ahead of rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as reaching a first Champions League final in 40 years, where they came within two minutes of victory.
Much of that campaign was built upon the defensive steel of centre-back Diego Godín, and he headed to the World Cup knowing his Uruguay side would have to run the gauntlet. They were drawn into the group of death alongside England and Uruguay, and a 3-1 opening day defeat against lowly Costa Rica only made the task all the more difficult.
Then, Godín stood up to be counted. He anchored the Uruguayan backline in the 2-1 win against England, before then heading home the winner in the final group game against Italy, sending his side through as runners-up to the upstart Costa Ricans. The Celeste would then fall victim to James Rodríguez’s brilliance in the round of 16, losing 2-0 and exiting the competition, but not before Godín had confirmed himself as one of the planet’s truly elite central defenders.
