Alvarez did not feature in Atletico Madrid’s season opener this week, having returned late to training after his World Cup duties. Nevertheless, head coach Diego Simeone confirmed that the striker will be part of the squad for the upcoming match against Villarreal. “Yes, he’ll be in tomorrow’s squad and he’s progressing at his own pace. We’ll try to manage a difficult game against a strong opponent with good players,” Simeone stated.
If Alvarez had been left out of the Villarreal clash, Atletico could have faced a tricky situation, especially given the supporters’ clear opinions about the forward. The club will not host their next home match until September 16, with three away fixtures coming up in a row against Sevilla, Athletic Club, and Real Sociedad.
Alvarez’s return to the Metropolitano would have occurred after the transfer window closed, potentially giving him several away fixtures to settle in and settle personal and on-field form. Instead, Atletico believes that having him available benefits both the sporting side and helps quell speculation surrounding his future.
Simeone reaffirmed the club’s stance on Alvarez’s future, echoing the position previously articulated by club leadership. He stressed that there is no division or conflict, and emphasized the importance of Alvarez to the team’s plans. “Let it be clear: there is no uncertainty. Miguel Angel Gil Marin spoke clearly yesterday,” Simeone said, underscoring the club’s unified approach.
The manager also highlighted Alvarez’s significance to achieving Atletico’s objectives and pledged ongoing support from the club. “For me, he’s an extremely important player for our sporting objectives. We’ll be with him and look after him from a sporting perspective. Why? Because he’s our player. As long as he’s at Atletico, I’ll look after him,” Simeone asserted.
Simeone acknowledged conversations with Alvarez but noted that only the player can truly express his own feelings. He added that he believes the club has chosen the right path, focusing on building a cohesive team. “It’s difficult to say how another person feels because I’m not that person. What I see is that he’s working in the best possible way, working with his teammates and showing respect to everyone. I have no doubt about the path we’ve decided to take with the club, which is to build a great team. That’s our objective,” the coach stated.
The situation continues to attract attention as Alvarez remains a key asset for Atletico Madrid, with the club asserting that his contributions on and off the pitch are integral to their plans for the season ahead.
