Argentinean strikers Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez could join an exclusive list of players depending on the Champions League final result.
Both strikers face each other in the UEFA Champions League final on 10 June 2023. Julian plays for English Premier League champions Manchester City while Lautaro is the captain of Seria A giants Inter Milan.
They now have the opportunity to join an exclusive list of players who have won both the Champions League and the World Cup in the same season. One of them could be crowned the 12th player to win both prestigious trophies in the same season.
Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez will end the season as World Cup winner 𝐀𝐍𝐃 Champions League winner 😱 pic.twitter.com/RXoZl8RmD6
— 433 (@433) May 18, 2023
The two strikers were part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 Qatar World Cup back in December. Alvarez had played an important part in the campaign with 4 goals and an assist. While Lautaro was a bit subpar in the World Cup and did not contribute much.
The list of players to win both UCL and World Cup in the same season
Currently, eleven players have won both the Champions League and the World Cup in the same season.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Uli Hoeness, Jupp Kapelmann, Paul Breitner, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, and Sepp Maier were the first to join this list. All of them were part of the German team that had won the World Cup in 1974 and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich the same year.
Nine players have won the World Cup and the Champions League in the same season, featuring in both finals.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 17, 2023
Either Julian Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez could join the list as the first from Argentina. 🏆🇦🇷#UCL pic.twitter.com/PO83esUvJp
Christian Karembeu became the eighth player on the list in 1998. He won with both France and the Spanish club Real Madrid. Roberto Carlos did it in 2002 with Brazil and Real Madrid.
Sami Khedira did the double for Real Madrid and Germany in 2014. Four years later in 2018, Raphael Varane did the same with Real Madrid and France. Varane was the last to achieve this feat.
If either Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez wins the UCL, he will be the 12th player and the 1st Argentinian player on the list.
Manchester City or Inter Milan: Who will win the Champions League?
Manchester City have had a terrific season. They have already won the Premier League, making it three consecutive times. They also have a potential treble on the cards as they have both the FA Cup and UCL finals to look forward to.
Pep Guardiola’s side just a couple of weeks back had humiliated Real Madrid 4-0. The team has been unbeaten for 23 games and looks utterly unstoppable. With world-class players in Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Rodri, and many more, City seems to be the favorite for the trophy.
This is their second-ever UCL final, with them losing the first one back in 2021 against Chelsea. If they win, it will be their maiden UCL title.
Inter Milan may not be as strong as City right now, but they have history. The three-time winners last won in 2010 under Jose Mourinho. The current side is an aging squad, one that has struggled in the domestic league.
The team was not expected to end up in the Champions League final, as they had some tough opponents like Bayern Munich and Barcelona. They beat rivals AC Milan 3-0 in the semi-finals and are now looking to win a fourth UCL title. They are also in the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina.
Both of them will have to finish the rest of their league season and the domestic cup final as well. They will then face off in the final on June 10 in the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
Who do you think will win the UCL final? Manchester City or Inter Milan? And which Argentine player will become part of history? Let us know in the comments down below!
