Diego Simeone warns Alvarez after failed Atletico exit

Julián Alvarez remains an Atlético Madrid player, but Diego Simeone’s latest comments show that the attempted move to Barcelona has not been fully put aside. The Argentina forward also faced whistles from part of the club’s support during the episode, leaving him with work to do to restore his standing at the Metropolitano.

Speaking on Friday before Atlético’s meeting with Athletic, Simeone said Alvarez was training well and confirmed that he would be included in the squad. The coach avoided presenting the transfer saga as a lasting obstacle, instead pointing to the season’s upcoming matches and the team’s objectives. His assessment of the player’s situation, however, carried a clear warning.

Simeone said the episode had given Alvarez an opportunity to make changes in his life and expressed hope that the transfer uncertainty had become a lesson for him. The coach did not publicly condemn the striker, but indicated that the consequences of his wish to leave could not simply disappear once the market closed. He also endorsed Paulo Futre’s advice that Alvarez should recover his smile by scoring. For Atlético’s forward, performances and goals now offer the clearest route back to the supporters’ trust.