Julián Álvarez recently made headlines by leaving Manchester City after two seasons to join Atlético Madrid in search of a new challenge. The Argentina international, who had a contract with City until June 2028, completed his move to Atlético for a fee of £82 million ($104m).
During his unveiling, Álvarez expressed his desire for a change in his career and stated that Atlético Madrid provides him with the tools to perform at his best. Despite scoring 19 goals in 54 appearances for City last season, he found himself playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland.
Álvarez emphasized his commitment to helping Atlético Madrid compete for titles and expressed his excitement to work under the guidance of manager Diego Simeone. He acknowledged the influence of both Simeone and his former coach, Pep Guardiola, referring to them as two of the best coaches in the world.
The 24-year-old forward reflected on his time at Manchester City, where he won six trophies, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League. He also played a pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup victory in 2022 and their recent Copa América triumph.
Looking ahead to the upcoming LaLiga season, Álvarez expressed his eagerness to contribute to Atlético's success and help elevate the club to new heights. He remains humble about his achievements, stating that he still has room to learn and grow as a player.
Atlético Madrid is set to kick off their LaLiga campaign on August 19 with an away fixture against Villarreal. Álvarez's arrival has generated excitement among fans as they anticipate his impact on the team's performance in the upcoming season.