How Kyle Walker is leading Milan after Messi message to Joao Felix | OneFootball

Kyle Walker was spotted giving instructions to Milan teammate Joao Felix at half-time of Sunday’s 2-1 Serie A loss against Milan, telling him that ‘no-one here is Messi, pass the ball’, but this is not the first time that the England international has demonstrated his leadership skills since moving to San Siro.

Here is how the former Manchester City right-back has helped lead Milan since his January switch.

How Walker is leading Milan

Walker’s experience and leadership has always been an attractive part of his game for the Rossoneri.

He spoke about his qualities on and off the pitch during his introductory press conference just after he joined during the January transfer window: “I was the captain at Manchester City and I bring these qualities to Milan. Hopefully, the younger players see me as a leader and I bring these qualities on and off the pitch.”

Official: Kyle Walker joins Milan from Manchester City (picture via www.acmilan.com/it)

RedBird advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic also described Walker as an ‘alpha’ in the dressing room, which he feels encourages the younger players in the Rossoneri camp: “He has a strong character that the team needs, he is an Alpha figure in the locker room. We also feel he could play as a central defender, which he did at Manchester City.”

Just a few games into his Milan career, Walker showed that he is capable of acting as an extension of the coach on the pitch, taking teammate Yunus Musah to one side and giving him verbal and visual instructions for around 15 seconds of the 2-0 win over Empoli in February.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Kyle Walker of AC Milan acknowledges the fans following the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Walker’s legacy and experience has already had an impact on his Milan teammates, too.

Riccardo Sottil has spoken about the desire to replicate the Englishman’s standards and practices in training: “He is a champion, and he has won everything. Seeing him arrive at the training ground and head straight to the gym to work out makes you realise that you must do the same.”

And now Joao Felix is the latest Milan player to receive advice from the 95-time England international, who was told: “Just pass the ball, we are not Messi. No-one here is Messi, pass the ball,” at half-time of Sunday’s 2-1 loss against Napoli in Serie A.