Julián Álvarez is called up by Atlético de Madrid after transfer saga

Julián Álvarez has been included in the list of players called up by coach Diego Simeone for Atlético de Madrid’s next fixture, a clash against Athletic Club in Bilbao in the fourth round of La Liga. The news comes after weeks of intense behind‑the‑scenes activity, during which the striker unsuccessfully pursued a transfer to Barcelona, keeping the story in the sports headlines.

The return to the pitch and the coach’s comments

The call‑up for Saturday’s game confirms Álvarez’s continued place in the rojiblanco squad, confirmed after the European transfer window closed. The striker, who missed the season’s opening match due to lack of rhythm, played 33 minutes in the second game against Villarreal — where he received criticism from the crowd — and missed the latest encounter in Seville because he felt unwell and was unable to train for three days.

In a press conference, Simeone reflected on the player’s situation, emphasizing the importance of learning. “He’s training very well. Tomorrow he’ll be called up, he’ll be part of the group that travels to Bilbao. We’re expecting the best from him as we do from all his teammates,” the coach said. Simeone added: “I want to be very clear. To me, life is full of opportunities and this may be an opportunity for Julián to sort out many things in his life. I think we spend all the time learning and, unfortunately, we spend a lot of time judging. We all judge. Why this? Why that? We need to judge less and focus more on learning.”

The Barcelona transfer impasse

Julián Álvarez’s situation gained prominence in recent weeks due to negotiations for a possible move to Barcelona that never materialised. Atlético de Madrid, for its part, maintained a firm stance throughout the process. Miguel Ángel Gil, one of the club’s major shareholders, publicly stated on several occasions that no negotiations with Barcelona took place for the striker.

Atlético de Madrid’s firm stance

The rojiblanco club made it clear that its way of operating and negotiating is based on values such as transparency, mutual respect between institutions and consistency. According to Atlético, the team does not oppose conversations or negotiations with any club per se, but demands that conduct be ethical and professional. For the club, the episode involving Álvarez and Barcelona was a “matter of principle, of respect and of doing things properly”.

Atlético de Madrid alleged that Barcelona had negotiated “behind the club’s back”, approached the player before direct confrontations last season, spread “false messages” through spokespeople and used “all kinds of tactics” that do not align with how Atlético’s management believes a negotiation should be conducted. The Madrid entity described the incident as a “very dirty attack by land, sea and air”, considering Barcelona’s conduct “unpresentable from start to finish”.

Julián Álvarez’s path at Atlético

With his stay at Atlético de Madrid secured, Julián Álvarez will need to focus on rebuilding his image and on his physical preparation. The player, who joined the club’s pre‑season on August 10 after his holidays, follows a collective and individualised plan, with specific training under Luis Piñedo, the club’s fitness coach. Atlético is working to recover the player, who, according to the club, “was used and misled” during the period of uncertainty.

Álvarez’s first opportunity will be this Saturday in Bilbao, where he is expected to start on the bench. The next away fixtures for Atlético include a Champions League clash against Liverpool and a La Liga match against Real Sociedad. The next home game will be against Osasuna.

With information from Clarin.com, MARCA.