Julian Alvarez has Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland to thank for facilitating his ‘biggest threat’

Julian Alvarez’s ‘biggest threat’ is that other attackers hog the limelight in the final third, says former teammate Kyle Walker.

Arsenal-linked Alvarez is expected to start for the defending world champions when Argentina face England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final clash in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Getty

And speaking with Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on World Cup GameDay ahead of the monster meeting, Walker, who played alongside Alvarez at Manchester City, lavished praise upon the Atletico Madrid hitman.

“He’s unbelievable, I think his biggest threat is that he has other people to take the limelight off of him, so they don’t worry about him and all of a sudden he pounces into action,” Walker said.

“I think we had it at City with Erling [Haaland] as the striker and Julian getting games if and when he could.”

And the Burnley star believes playing alongside Lionel Messi on the international stage means he has the same lethal anonymity when representing his country.

“He does the same with Argentina, Messi is the standout man, but the work ethic he has on and off he ball… he’s someone you have to keep your eye on,” Walker continued.

“They have good players, and Messi gets the headlines, but you do have to look at others as well.”

Will Alvarez leave Atletico Madrid this summer?

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Alvarez this summer as head coach Mikel Arteta looks to build upon the Gunners’ 2025/26 Premier League title success.

The Gunners pipped Alvarez’s former side City to top spot as the capital outfit won their first top-flight championship since the 2003/04 ‘Invincible’ season.

And Arsenal, who would need to battle Barcelona to secure the forward’s services, explored the possibility of using Viktor Gyokeres as a makeweight in any deal for the 26-year-old during initial talks between both sides, talkSPORT understands.

Getty

Alvarez has previously made it clear to club side Atletico that he wants to be sold this summer.

Speaking after Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in the group stage last month, the striker told reporters: “I want to fulfil my dream. I have spoken with the people at the club that I needed to speak to.

“The best thing for my future is a transfer.”

Atletico later released a statement insisting Alvarez wasn’t for sale and that interested side Barcelona would need to trigger the player’s extortionate release clause in order to secure the striker’s services.

“There is no amount of money for which Barça can buy Julian Alvarez. He will not be transferred to Barcelona,” the statement read.

“Either they pay the release clause for €500m or there is no deal.”

Barcelona have already had a £86million bid for Alvarez rejected by Atletico.