On July 15, the Manchester Evening News reported that Argentina will compete with England for a World Cup final spot, with Messi and Alvarez expected to partner up front.

The England team, coached by Tuchel, needs to be wary of another familiar face from the Premier League – former Manchester City forward Alvarez. He played a crucial role in Argentina's journey to the semi-finals, including scoring a spectacular goal against Switzerland in extra time during the quarter-finals.

After two seasons at the Etihad, 26-year-old Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid in La Liga for a transfer fee of £81 million, solidifying his reputation as a world-class attacker. Nicknamed "La Araña" (The Spider) for his iconic web-spinning celebration, he is expected to shine again when facing England's defense, which may include former teammate Stones.

When Alvarez takes the field in Atlanta, his girlfriend Emilia Ferrero will be cheering him on from the stands. The 26-year-old, a former hockey player and sports teacher, was born in Calchín, the same small town in Argentina as Alvarez. The couple is believed to have started dating in 2020 but only went public with their relationship in 2022 after Alvarez's transfer from River Plate to Manchester City. Unlike many WAGs, Ferrero mostly stays out of the spotlight, but she has amassed over 780,000 followers on social media, a number that grew significantly during this World Cup. Earlier this year, the couple welcomed their first child, son Amadeo, born on January 2. He has also traveled with the team to North America to cheer for his father in person.

Given his excellent performances for both club and country, it's no surprise that Alvarez has attracted the attention of top European clubs. Premier League champions Arsenal are believed to be long-term admirers, with Arteta keen to strengthen his attacking options before the new season. La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are also interested, with Barcelona considered Alvarez's preferred destination if he were to leave. However, any suitor will face a huge obstacle – a staggering release clause in his contract. Reportedly, Alvarez's release clause is as high as 500 million euros (approximately £430 million), meaning any club hoping to poach him from Atletico Madrid might need to pay more than double the world record transfer fee of £200 million set by Neymar's move from Barcelona to Paris in 2017.

Alvarez is no stranger to high-profile transfers. When he left Manchester City in 2024, he set the club's record for the highest sale at £81 million. The move was surprising at the time, as Manchester City dominated the Premier League, while Atletico Madrid was still chasing Spain's traditional powerhouses. Alvarez later revealed that he simply craved a new challenge. In an interview, he stated: "I played many games, scored many goals, and we won titles. It was perfect. I would have been comfortable staying there too. I always said I was very grateful to the club, but I did need something. Deep down there was a voice telling me I needed a different challenge, to seek something new – not a lack of motivation, because I always want to achieve more – but something unexplainable. I felt that here I could develop further and become my best self. That was part of the reason."

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com