"I had Simeone as a coach, and I'd go to Barcelona"

Former striker Maxi López says he would have preferred to see Julián Álvarez at Barcelona this summer, arguing the club's style suits the Argentina international better than Atlético Madrid's approach.

Julián Álvarez's summer transfer saga at Atlético Madrid has settled after the striker scored the winning goal against Deportivo and was named man of the match. He publicly apologized to the club's supporters, who are gradually forgiving him following the dispute over unfulfilled promises from the club's hierarchy.

Former River Plate and Barcelona striker Maxi López has weighed in on the situation during an appearance on TyC Sports, suggesting Álvarez would have been better served joining Barcelona instead. López, who played under Diego Simeone at Catania before the Argentine manager's successful tenure at Atlético, acknowledged Simeone's achievements but argued Barcelona's style of play would better suit Álvarez's profile as Argentina's number nine.

"I would have liked to see him at Barcelona because he's Argentina's number nine. He'd be at another level," López said. He noted that Álvarez left Manchester City seeking regular minutes and found them at Atlético, but a breakdown in negotiations with the club's leadership left promises unfulfilled.