As youngsters, they grew up playing together for River Plate. At the World Cup, they shared a room as Argentina lifted the trophy for the third time. But today, when Chelsea and Man City meet, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez will be desperate to get one over the other.
In 2016, Alvarez joined the same River youth system Enzo was already thriving in. The pair soon became firm friends and, before long, team-mates in River’s senior team. They both moved to Europe in the summer of 2022, Alvarez to City and Enzo to Benfica, with their performances earning spots in Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Both were central to La Albiceleste’s triumph in Qatar, and both are now showing their value in English football, with Alvarez having cemented a place in Man City’s starting XI. So they will likely both line up at the Bridge today, but as adversaries rather than companions.
‘We’ve spoken a little,’ Enzo tells us with a chuckle. ‘We both know it is going to be a good game.
‘It’s been a journey for both of us. We started out at River together so we know each other well. We are both very proud to have come to the Premier League, the best league in the world.
‘To see now where we are, Chelsea and Manchester City, is just brilliant.’
Their story today will not finish at full-time, adding an extra layer of spice to an already mouthwatering fixture.
‘Straight after the game, we are travelling together to Argentina to join up with the national team,’ Enzo says.
‘So I hope to go with a win!’