Jarrod Bowen reacts to heartfelt Edson Alvarez message as West Ham ace hits Mexico milestone

Edson Alvarez and his Mexico side kicked off the World Cup in style, and his West Ham United comrades have been congratulating him.

The 28-year-old spent the 2025-26 season out on loan with Turkish giants Fenerbahce, where he played 18 times for them in all competitions.

However, the midfielder didn't enjoy the best of relationships with Fenerbahce supporters, meaning they're unlikely to trigger his permanent option this summer.

Contracted with West Ham until the summer of 2028, Alvarez is scheduled to link back up with Nuno Espirito Santo's squad following the conclusion of Mexico's World Cup.

Being a home nation though, Javier Aguirre's men are hoping to go deep into the tournament.

And so, with the iconic Azteca stadium the setting for the opening game of the tournament, he and Mexico got off to the perfect start.

Current and ex-West Ham stars react to Edson Alvarez Mexico post

In a rematch of the opening game from the 2010 World Cup, Mexico and South Africa clashed in the Mexican capital.

A Julian Quinones strike inside the opening 10 minutes gave the home team their dream start, but Bafana Bafana held out until half-time.

However, after Sphephelo Sithole's red card four minutes into the second half, Mexico were able to add a second on 67 minutes through Raul Jimenez' header.

That's how the scores would end in Mexico City, and whilst he didn't start the game, Alvarez did enter the fray as a substitute for the final 15 minutes.

After the game, the 28-year-old Hammers outcast took to his Instagram account to mark the win, as well accomplishing a lifelong dream with his nation.

"As a child I dreamed of representing Mexico. Today I completed 100 matches with the National Team on the most special stage I have ever lived," he wrote (translated to English).

"A World Cup at home, my family, my daughters, our people in the stands and an energy that can't be explained.

"The pride of defending this shield is still as great as the first day. Let's go."

In response to the post, a number of current and former West Ham players liked it, including West Ham's official Instagram account.

Jarrod Bowen, Ollie Scarles and Konstantinos Mavropanos all liked the post.

Meanwhile, ex-Hammers defenders Nayef Aguerd and Emerson Palmieri also did the same.

How did Alvarez perform for Mexico vs South Africa?

Despite only getting on the final 15 minutes against South Africa, Alvarez was still able to put himself firmly in the game.

As per FotMob, he completed 14 of his 15 pass attempts accurately, whilst also playing six passes into the final third.

On top of that, he was accurate with his lone long ball attempt, made one tackle and recovery, as well as winning both of his two ground duels respectively.

Alvarez only took 17 touches after coming on, but with Mexico seeing their captain and central defender Cesar Montes sent off in stoppage time at the end of the match, he could be set for a larger role moving forward.

Whilst a central midfielder by trade, Alvarez can operate in central defence if needed, and so West Ham fans may well be seeing more of their returning loanee at the tournament.