In the lead-up to the Argentine National Team's debut in the 2026 World Cup, Julián Álvarez received a surprise that few expected. British actor Tom Holland, known worldwide for portraying Spider-Man, sent a special message to the forward of the Scaloneta.
Holland, 30, was asked about Álvarez in an interview for DAZN during the promotion of the new superhero movie. His words were clear and enthusiastic: “You would make a great Spider-Man! I would love to meet you someday, I’m a big fan and I hope you have a great World Cup.”
This gesture took place before the match between Spain and Cape Verde, which ended in a goalless draw. The context of Álvarez's nickname is well known among fans. Since he was a child, he has been called “La Araña,” a nickname that gained strength during his time at River Plate.
The celebration that brought him closer to the hero
His way of celebrating goals, mimicking the web-slinging of the famous arachnid, has generated thousands of edited images where he appears in Spidey's classic suit. That connection with the character did not go unnoticed by Holland.
Additionally, the actor revealed that he has the Atlético de Madrid striker on his Fantasy Premier League team, the popular game where points are accumulated based on players' performances. Holland had already shown his admiration for Lionel Messi, and now adds Álvarez to his favorites.
Upon hearing the message, the Argentine forward quickly responded. He shared the interview clip on his Instagram account and wrote a friendly message: “We saved a jersey with the number 9 for you.” He accompanied the post with emojis of a spider and a soccer ball.
Álvarez is currently focused in Kansas with the rest of the squad, concentrating on defending the title won in Qatar 2022, where he himself was one of the standout figures. Scaloni's team will look to start off on the right foot in this new edition of the tournament.
The news generated a lot of buzz among football and cinema fans. The combination of the sports world and the entertainment industry always generates interest, and in this case, the mutual affection was evident.
Holland recently appeared on the red carpet in Madrid alongside his partner and co-star, Zendaya, adding a touch of glamour to this crossover story. Meanwhile, the Argentine “La Araña” is preparing to shine on the field.