“Spider” weaves its threads… and turns Messi’s glorious day into secondary news.

In a moment that should have been dedicated to Lionel Messi as he surpassed German legend Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup goalscorer, Julian Alvarez stole the limelight with a sudden and shocking announcement in which he announced his clear desire to leave Atletico, in a surprise move that overshadowed the historic star.

In his first interview with ESPN, which owns the broadcast rights, Alvarez said after Argentina’s victory over Austria. “The best thing for everyone is to look for another team,” in a clear and decisive statement that revealed his desire to leave despite being a bench player and not supposed to be in the limelight.

A powerful message

It was the first time the Spider has spoken since his name officially entered the transfer market, having been linked first with Barcelona and then Real Madrid, who made a €150m bid for him as part of Florentino Perez’s campaign pledge, but Atletico rejected it.

While everyone was expecting Alvarez’s message, the force of the announcement and its controversial timing surprised the football community, especially as it came at a moment that should have been entirely dedicated to Messi and his historic achievement.

Messi is the star on the pitch… and Alvarez off it

All eyes were on Messi in the mixed section of the Dallas Stadium, but Alvarez’s challenge to Atletico Madrid quickly spread to the press and appeared in Spain, Argentina and England, where his name was linked with Arsenal, until enthusiasm for Messi’s performance faded in the face of his partner.

Break the unwritten rules

The Argentine national team has unwritten rules, which it is best not to break. One of them says that when it is not appropriate to show your cards, it is better to hide them. This is even more important when you’re overshadowing Messi, and even more important when you spring a big surprise in the transfer market during the World Cup.

But Alvarez broke those rules and captain Messi became the star on the pitch while the Spider was the star off the pitch, in a rare sight of a reserve player stealing the spotlight from the greatest player in history on his glory day.