Julian Alvarez looks set to complete a move from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a> in the coming days. The Argentine previously moved to the English champions just two years ago for around $23 million. Despite hitting the ground running in arguably the toughest soccer division in the world, Alvarez has not become a regular starter under manager Pep Guardiola.



The attacker has picked up 84 total combined appearances with City in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a>. Nevertheless, Alvarez has come off of the bench in 34 of these matches. Not only did the versatile forward not nail down a starting spot in the squad, but he sat on the bench in recent important fixtures. This was essentially the final straw for the Argentine.



Alvarez recently <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/alvarez-may-have-to-leave-man-city-to-become-superstar/">admitted</a> that it is “annoying to be out in big games” while on international duty at the Olympics. With the star looking for more playing time, Atleti seems willing to make the forward their lead man going forward. 



The Athletic‘s David Ornstein <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681745/2024/08/06/julian-alvarez-atletico-madrid-transfer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> the Spanish club has agreed to sign Alvarez from City in a deal worth up to $103 million. About $82 million of this fee will be guaranteed, leaving the extra $21 million in potential add-ons. If officially completed, it would be a record sale for the Premier League side.



<h2>Alvarez previously considered bigger prospect than Aguero</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240806_WST_520856_Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-1-1200x675_674a7818.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-520873" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Prior to his move to Europe, Alvarez earned comparisons to fellow Argentine striker Sergio Aguero. After all, the two have similar builds, play the same positions, and made a name for themselves in the Argentine Primera Division. Aguero, now retired, will be remembered as one of the greatest South Americans in Premier League history. The forward collected a dozen major trophies at City, including five league titles. He also currently has the fifth-most goals in the division’s modern history.



To even be compared to such a great player as Aguero is high praise. However, many Argentines believed Alvarez was an even better prospect than Aguero while the forward was playing for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/river-plate-tv-schedule/">River Plate</a>.



The comparisons between the two players will likely only intensify moving forward. Aguero also previously played for City and Atleti as well, but in reverse. The former legend featured for the Spanish side before making the big move to England in 2011. Alvarez’s chance to become the focal point at Atleti would give the star a chance to prove that he is, in fact, supreme to Aguero.



<h2>Becoming focal point at Atletico Madrid should give Alvarez major boost</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240806_WST_520856_Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-2-1200x675_5ce82311.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-520874" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Looking at the statistics, Alvarez will have to step up his game a little bit to be considered officially in the same ballpark as Aguero. The former star recorded either a goal or assist every 128 minutes in LaLiga play while with Atleti. This was throughout five seasons with the Spanish giants. Alvarez, on the other hand, has managed a direct goal involvement every 137 minutes in the Premier League.



The soon-to-be Atleti player is still 24 and will soon enter his prime. Potentially becoming the focal point with the Spanish side would also allow Alvarez a better chance to settle. He should be able to get into a good groove knowing that he is likely to become a regular starter under Diego Simeone.



Outside of personal statistics, Alvarez could also help his cause by bringing Atleti a LaLiga or Champions League title as well. Aguero did not manage to win either trophy during his five-year spell in Spain. Atleti is typically seen as the third-best team in LaLiga behind <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a>. Because of this, the Colchoneros have only collected two top-flight titles since 1996.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

How Julian Alvarez can surpass Sergio Aguero's records at Atleti

Julian Alvarez looks set to follow in the footsteps of fellow Argentina star Sergio Aguero by playing for Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

How Julian Alvarez can surpass Sergio Aguero's records at Atleti - World Soccer Talk

Many athletes, notably soccer players, are exploring esports as a new competitive arena.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/riqui-puig-among-investors-in-new-soccer-esports-game-20230420-WST-429320.html">Several professional players</a>, including Iago Aspas, Azpilicueta, Casemiro, and David de Gea, are either sole or joint proprietors of an esports organization. Outside of Spain, Sergio Aguero, formerly of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a>, owns the most well-known team, KRU Esports of Argentina.



Currently, his squad competes in VALORANT’s VCT Americas, one of the most important first-person shooters on PC. They disbanded their League of Legends squad in 2023, but there are whispers that they would be interested in rejoining the sport and participating in the Spanish Superliga.



<h2>KRU Esports welcomes Lionel Messi as partner with Sergio Aguero</h2>



Fans of competitive video gaming were taken aback Tuesday night to learn that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/will-lionel-messi-return-to-barca-in-january-star-reveals-plans-20231105-WST-467457.html">Lionel Messi</a>, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, was planning to enter the industry. Along with his best friend and former teammate Aguero, he will soon be a co-owner of the KRU Esports team.



The Argentinean squad published an <a href="https://www.kruesports.gg/lionel-messi-es-el-nuevo-socio-del-kun-aguero-en-kru-esports" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official statement</a> to announce the news. It said: “Sergio Kun Aguero, CEO of KRU Esports and former professional football player, and Lionel Messi, the best footballer of all time, seal an alliance as partners of KRU, the esports organization created in 2020 by Kun.”



Following the release of the company’s announcement, Sergio Aguero issued a comment on the deal. On Tuesday, the former Argentina striker announced Messi as a co-owner of KRU in a <a href="https://twitter.com/KRUesports/status/1721936107145732440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1721936107145732440%7Ctwgr%5E092562d2f6120a5d603690484872d81e2074da12%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fesi.si.com%2Fnews%2Flionel-messi-joins-kru-esports-as-co-owner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brief video</a> that concluded with the Inter Miami great stating, “Okay, let’s play.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231108_WST_468193_Messi-Aguero-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-468232" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-Aguero-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-Aguero-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-Aguero-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-Aguero.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero are taking their well-documented friendship into the esports scene</figcaption></figure>



“I am happy to share a club with Leo, of course now in a new stage and with other challenges. It is an honor that he is part of KRU. He is the best footballer in history, and also a great friend. His presence is relevant because he projects values such as perseverance, humility and resilience. He is an inspirational figure and will be a great contribution to the scene in general”, Aguero said.



<h2>What does this mean for the esports world?</h2>



In terms of publicity for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/saudi-arabia-to-host-esports-world-cup-in-the-summer-of-2024-20231031-WST-466210.html">esports</a> business as a whole, this is a watershed event, since it represents the debut of one of the most renowned athletic public personalities in the world. After just four hours, the X post had already amassed over 10 million views and over 120,000 likes.



Aguero founded KRU in 2020, and the team has quickly become a powerhouse in the esports scene, with championships won in games including Rocket League, FIFA, League of Legends, and Valorant.



In 2019, the Manchester City striker started broadcasting during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Subsequently, he invested in the esports market. Most notably, Aguero created KRU Esports the following year. Previous speculation mentioned the possibility that Aguero would sell KRU.



Nonetheless, the news that the speculation was unfounded was met with relief by many admirers. On the contrary, Aguero rose to co-owner. That brought widespread praise from the esports world. With this news, KRU Esports hopes to become the most successful esports organization in South America. The team’s prospects piqued the interest of many fans.



Messi’s presence in the MLS has brought <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-messi-meets-america-series-from-apple-and-mls-20231011-WST-461389.html">unprecedented attention to soccer</a> in the United States; similarly, there is great hope that his entry into esports will do the same.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Lionel Messi ventures into eSports as co-owner with Kun Aguero

Lionel Messi is teaming up with Sergio Aguero and his esports organization KRU to grow the brand as competitive gaming grows.

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Lionel Messi ventures into eSports as co-owner with Kun Aguero