Julián Álvarez returned to training with Atlético de Madrid on August 10 convinced the club is ignoring him, and told teammates not to count on him for the start of the season, according to Spanish media reports.
The reunion came after more than a month away from the squad and was far from peaceful. Reports say Álvarez arrived at the club's Ciudad Deportiva training facility hoping to speak face to face with head coach Diego Simeone and chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, to repeat his wish to leave and try to find a way out of his situation, according to Mundo Deportivo.
That meeting never happened. Simeone was out of Madrid and missed training, while Gil Marín did not appear at the club all day, the report said, a development that reportedly deepened the forward's frustration.
Álvarez's World Cup comments
Álvarez first made his wish to leave Atlético Madrid public during the World Cup. He said he did not think it was the moment to talk about it but that he could not hide either, adding that he tries to be an honest person. He said he had spoken with people at the club and with those he needed to speak to, and that he believed a transfer was best for everyone, saying he wanted to fulfill his dream.
After the tournament ended, Atlético granted the forward three weeks of vacation. He returned on August 10 determined to press the club for a move.
Barcelona's interest and agent talks
On August 4, news emerged of FC Barcelona's latest move to sign the forward. According to the outlet Jijantes, Barcelona sporting director Deco and Joao Amaral traveled to Madrid and met with Fernando Hidalgo, Álvarez's agent, to keep shaping their strategy for a deal that remains the sporting department's top priority. The meeting took place on Wednesday, August 5, in a discreet location away from media attention.
Before that meeting, Hidalgo had already issued a warning to Atlético. According to transfer specialist journalist Juan Jesús, writing on social media, the agent formally told Deco, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Atlético's board that morning that the player had decided to dig in. The announcement set off what has been described as an internal earthquake at Atlético, one that intensified with the forward's return to training.
Message to teammates
According to the reports, Álvarez told club teammates that he was going to dig in and that they should not count on him for the start of the season, a stance that opens the door to him forcing his exit from Atlético despite the club's efforts to keep him.
The situation is also being felt inside the squad. According to Cadena Ser, the players are willing to back Álvarez and help him return to normal if he ends up staying in Madrid. Some reports also suggest the club is speeding up the signing of Cuti Romero in an effort to satisfy the forward and persuade him to stay.
Álvarez's numbers at Atlético
Álvarez, who was runner-up at the World Cup with Argentina's national team, has posted strong numbers since joining Atlético Madrid in 2024. In 106 appearances he has scored 49 goals and provided 17 assists, statistics that have drawn interest from clubs including Barcelona.
