Julian Alvarez is expected to partner Lionel Messi in attack for Argentina against England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, a match that marks Messi's first encounter with the Three Lions. The former Manchester City forward, now at Atletico Madrid, has been pivotal in Argentina's run to the last four, including a stunning extra-time strike against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Stunning WAG in the Stands
Alvarez's long-term girlfriend, Emilia Ferrero, a 26-year-old former hockey player and PE teacher from the same small Argentine town of Calchin, will be cheering him on. The couple started dating in 2020 but kept their romance private until 2022, shortly after Alvarez's move from River Plate to City. Ferrero has largely shunned the spotlight but has amassed over 780,000 Instagram followers, a figure that has risen sharply during the World Cup. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Amadeo, on January 2, who has also traveled to North America to support Alvarez.
Eye-Watering Release Clause
Alvarez's impressive form has attracted interest from top European clubs, including Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. However, any potential suitors face a significant obstacle: his release clause is reportedly €500 million (£430 million), well over double the current world-record transfer fee of £200 million set by Neymar's move to PSG in 2017. Barcelona is understood to be Alvarez's preferred next destination if he decides to move on.
Real Reason for Leaving City
Alvarez left Manchester City in 2024 for a record-breaking £81 million fee, the largest sale in the club's history. The move surprised many given City's Premier League dominance, but Alvarez revealed he was seeking a fresh challenge. "I played loads of matches, scored plenty of goals, and we won titles. That was perfect. And if I'd stayed there, I'd have been comfortable too. I've always said I'm very grateful to the club, but I did need something," he told Infobae. "Something inside me was telling me I needed a different challenge, to seek something new – not a lack of motivation, because I'll always want to keep striving for more – but something I can't quite put my finger on. And I felt that this could be the place for me to develop further, to become the best version of myself as a footballer."
