Julián Álvarez’s situation at Atlético Madrid took another unexpected turn on Saturday.
After returning to action in Atlético’s 3-0 defeat against Athletic Club at San Mamés, Álvarez did not take part in the post-match training session with the other substitutes. Diego Simeone was unaware of the situation until a reporter informed him during his post-match press conference.
Simeone’s reaction immediately added another layer of uncertainty to an already complicated relationship between the Argentine forward and Atlético.
When informed that Álvarez had not gone onto the pitch to train with the other substitutes after the game, Simeone reacted with surprise before declining to comment further.
The development came only days after the summer transfer window closed with Álvarez still at Atlético despite his unsuccessful attempt to leave the club.
Álvarez Misses Post-Match Training Session
Álvarez began Saturday’s match on the bench as Simeone continued reintegrating him following a turbulent end to the transfer window.
Athletic scored twice immediately after halftime through Nico Williams in the 46th minute and Robert Navarro in the 48th. Simeone responded by making several changes, with Álvarez entering alongside Koke, Arnau Martínez and new signing Cristian Romero.
Álvarez was active after coming on and produced Atlético’s best opportunity of the second half. His left-footed effort on the turn in the 70th minute was stopped by Unai Simón. Oihan Sancet eventually scored Athletic’s third goal in the 90th minute.
The more significant development involving Álvarez came after the final whistle.
Atlético’s substitutes went back onto the San Mamés pitch for additional physical work, but Álvarez was not among them.
Simeone apparently had not been told.
During his press conference, a journalist asked the Atlético coach about Álvarez’s absence from the session. Simeone initially responded by asking whether that had happened. Once the reporter confirmed it, Simeone said he had nothing to comment on.
No confirmed explanation for Álvarez’s absence from the post-match work had been provided at the time of the report.
Another Complication After Failed Barcelona Transfer
The incident comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Álvarez.
His attempt to leave Atlético during the summer created significant tension between the player, the club and supporters.
Álvarez wanted to join Barcelona, but the move did not happen before the transfer window closed. Atlético had resisted Barcelona’s pursuit, and the forward ultimately remained in Madrid. His relationship with sections of the fanbase deteriorated considerably during the process.
Álvarez also missed Atlético’s previous match against Sevilla after suffering what the club described as an indisposition. He returned to training before the Athletic fixture, with Simeone saying beforehand that the forward had been working well enough to return to the squad.
Simeone nevertheless decided against immediately restoring him to the starting lineup.
The coach’s plan was to gradually reintegrate Álvarez after his recent absence, which made the forward’s failure to participate in the post-match work at San Mamés particularly notable.
Atlético Faces Difficult Task With Álvarez
Álvarez’s relationship with Atlético supporters also remains unresolved.
Cadena SER reported after the Athletic defeat that there are serious doubts within the Spanish football discussion over how Atlético can repair the relationship. Some analysts believe strong performances and goals could eventually help Álvarez regain respect, even if restoring his previous connection with supporters proves considerably more difficult.
Atlético’s priority since the transfer window closed has been to reintegrate the striker rather than continue discussing an exit that can no longer happen during the current window.
Saturday was supposed to represent another step in that process.
Álvarez returned to competitive action, played approximately half an hour and came close to scoring. But his absence from the post-match training session created a fresh question immediately afterward.
The most revealing reaction came from Simeone himself.
The Atlético coach did not know Álvarez had missed the session until he was told during his press conference, and once he learned what had happened, he declined to discuss it.
