"It was a mistake": Julian Alvarez apologizes to Atlético supporters after summer exit bid

Alvarez apologized to Atlético supporters after publicly pushing for a Barcelona move over the summer, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

Julian Alvarez has made peace with Atlético Madrid supporters after a turbulent summer in which he publicly expressed his desire to join Barcelona. The Argentine striker, who had been booed and insulted by fans at the start of the season, scored the decisive goal in Atlético's 1-0 win over La Coruña on Saturday at the Metropolitano.

After the match, Alvarez addressed his behaviour during the World Cup period. "I wanted to apologize to our supporters for what I said during the World Cup. It was a mistake. The way I said it and the timing were inappropriate," he told Movistar Plus Deportes. He acknowledged understanding the fans' anger, saying he would have felt the same way as a supporter, and thanked them for their generosity and backing.

Alvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in August 2024 for €75 million on a contract until 2030. When Barcelona attempted to sign him during the summer transfer window, Madrid's board blocked the move and accused Barcelona of approaching the player improperly. After his failed push for a transfer, Alvarez initially refused to rejoin the squad, missing training sessions. Manager Diego Simeone praised his apology, describing him as a humble and hardworking player who cares about his teammates.