Julian Álvarez trained normally on Saturday and moved himself back into the conversation for Argentina's debut against Argelia, a sharp turn after a severe right ankle sprain had left his status in doubt. He worked through the rondo, sprints, finishing drills and other football-specific exercises with the Argentina squad.
That mattered because the injury had come in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals, and the recovery had required platelet-rich plasma treatment plus specific exercises before he could return to full work. For a player whose availability had been uncertain, finishing a full session just hours before the opener was the clearest sign yet that the problem had eased enough to make him an option.
Álvarez's name was already drawing attention in Kansas City for reasons beyond the training field. On Wednesday morning, he shared an intimate family moment at Hotel Origin with Emilia Ferrero and Amadeo, and he later posted a birthday message for Ferrero in which he thanked her for her love, patience and the way she improves their lives each day. Ferrero replied that her best gift was them, a reminder that the forward was balancing family time with the final stretch of World Cup preparation.
There was still a gap between being available and being used. Training normally makes him a possible option for Lionel Scaloni, but it does not answer whether he starts, comes off the bench or sits out the debut altogether. After a week in which his ankle recovery had raised real doubt, Saturday's session changed the picture; the next decision belongs to Scaloni when Argentina settles on its lineup for the opener.
