Football

Julián Álvarez included in squad for San Mamés after controversial exit

The Atlético de Madrid forward was named in the team for the match against Athletic Club following his failed move to Barcelona.

4 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Julián Álvarez included in squad for San Mamés after controversial exit — Photo: Argentina.gob.ar · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Julián Álvarez has been included in Atlético de Madrid's squad for the match against Athletic Club at San Mamés. The Argentine forward, who had expressed his desire to leave the club to join Barcelona, also trained normally during the week, allowing his return to the team after the controversy surrounding his potential departure.

Paulo Futre, a former player for Atlético de Madrid, dedicated a message to Julián Álvarez, stating that "forgiveness is not with words, it's with goals." This comment came after the announcement of Álvarez's intention to switch teams, which generated controversy among fans and in the media.

Diego Pablo Simeone, Atlético's coach, also referred to Futre's words, suggesting that the way for the forward to regain the fans' trust is through his performance on the pitch. "As Futre says, forgiveness is not with words, it's with goals," Simeone expressed at a press conference.

Archive photo: Julián Álvarez included in squad for San Mamés after controversial exit — Archive photoPhoto: Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The transfer market has closed and Álvarez remains with Atlético, meaning that his anticipated move to Barcelona did not materialize. This represents a significant shift following previous speculation.

Julián Álvarez's situation has garnered attention on both social media and sports media, where there is discussion about how his performance in upcoming matches will influence fan reactions.

Finally, the match against Athletic Club will be crucial for Álvarez, who now has the opportunity to prove his worth and seek the support of Atlético's followers following the controversy over his desire to leave.

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