LOS ANGELES -- LA Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez has earned a place on The Guardian's annual list of the top 60 best talents in world football.
Long considered one of the top young players in North America, Alvarez has enjoyed a strong first season in Major League Soccer tallying three assists in 14 games, while earning a place on Mexico's roster for the 2019 U-17 FIFA World Cup. The 17-year-old talent from East Los Angeles is one of two MLS players on the list, joining Sporting Kansas City's Gianluca Busio.
"Los Angeles-born Álvarez used to feature for US youth national teams but switched to Mexico in 2016 and is set to play a major role for El Tri at the upcoming Under-17 World Cup. Left-footed Álvarez is full of tricks, creativity and has scored some special goals," The Guardian's Tom Marshall wrote. "Álvarez's raw talent has earned high praise from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has taken the young Mexican-American under his wing and not been shy in labeling him the best talent in MLS "by far".. Already part of the Galaxy first team, Álvarez’s next target is to get more regular minutes and impact MLS games."
