Julián Alvarez inspired Atlético Madrid to a stunning 2-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday with a fantastic free kick goal. After the game Alvarez said Lionel Messi was his inspiration for the goal.
More specifically, Messi netted a picture-perfect free kick goal in the Champions League against Liverpool at the Camp Nou back in 2019. The former Barcelona great guided his free kick into the top corner for his 600th career goal.
On Wednesday his Argentina teammate once again went for the top corner, only this time it came against Barcelona.
Let’s take a look at the two goals.
Julián Alvarez free kick vs Lionel Messi free kick
Alvarez’s kick came from 25 yards out as he went around the wall and snuck past the outstretched hand of Joan García.
Absolute brilliance from Julián Álvarez 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/SeyR3AjDrg
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2026
Messi’s kick was from a little further back. The Barcelona icon provided a stroke of genius with a rocket to the upper 90.
We’re going to have to give this round to Messi.
Alvarez said after Atleti’s 2-0 victory that Messi’s golazo from 2019 was on his mind when he stepped up for his free kick.
“I've watched Messi's goal against Liverpool here (at the Camp Nou) several times, but I wasn't entirely sure it was going into that exact corner,” Alvarez said after the game.
Perhaps the two World Cup winners can hold a free kick competition at Argentina’s next international camp to determine a winner.
Liverpool came back to shock Barcelona 4-0 in 2019. Six years later Barcelona will need to be on the opposite side of the comeback train in order to defeat Alvarez’s Atleti in the second leg.
