Julián Álvarez: Atlético de Madrid’s Rising Star

Julián Álvarez stands as the key attacking figure for Atlético de Madrid, possibly the most vital player in Simeone’s squad. The Argentine forward has his sights set on the opposing goal, netting nine goals this season across LaLiga and the Champions League, with seven of those in the domestic league, placing him second in the race for the Pichichi trophy.

In an extensive interview with ‘L’Equipe’, Julián Álvarez reflects on his football journey, beginning in his native Argentina, through England, and culminating at Atlético, where he has established himself as one of the world’s top forwards.

As a child, he had the opportunity to train with Real Madrid at the age of 11. He recalls, “I had the chance to come to Madrid when I was 11 years old. My father accompanied me to Spain for about 20 days. I trained with Real Madrid and then participated in a tournament in Peralada, which we won. However, for me to stay, my entire family would have had to move with me. It was a great experience, but it was still too early for me.”

In today’s modern football landscape, where physicality is crucial, it is uncommon for a central striker at a top European club to stand at 1.70 meters. Julián is aware of this and has had to overcome such biases throughout his career. “I vividly remember my first trial at River Plate. They asked for my birth year and position. I replied: ‘2000, number 9.’ They responded: ‘Number 9? That’s the number 9 for your category!” and pointed to a huge player. But I was not worried at all because I knew my strengths. I could play as a number 9, a bit deeper, on the right, or on the left, and adapt. It was never a problem.”

Moreover, Julián’s uniqueness extends beyond his height. In a world where tattoos dominate player appearances, he remains an exception. “The other day, during national team training, someone mentioned I was the only player without tattoos. I’m not trying to be different. Growing up, my father told us: ‘No tattoos, no cigarettes, no alcohol.’ As adults, everyone makes their own choices, but I don’t feel the need for tattoos. I’m quite calm and enjoy spending time at home with my loved ones. That’s where I feel happiest.”

During his two seasons at Manchester City, he scored 36 goals in 6,007 minutes, but he felt overshadowed by Erling Haaland, limiting his prominence. “I had a fair amount of playing time, although not always in decisive matches, often coming on as a substitute. This realization motivated my move to Spain: ‘I received calls from several clubs. I chose Atlético because I felt I could earn my place here and give my best, thanks to the opportunities presented to me.”

Julián Álvarez’s name frequently emerges in transfer discussions, with links to clubs like Barcelona as a potential replacement for Lewandowski, similar to his previous interest from PSG. He remains focused on his current commitments: “Honestly, I don’t know. I see what is said on social media… In Spain, there’s a lot of talk about me and Barcelona. When I signed for Atlético last year, there was also considerable speculation about Paris. It’s true that there were talks between PSG’s management and my agent; they showed interest in signing me, but nothing materialized. For now, I am concentrated on Atlético. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”

His impressive statistics in recent seasons have placed him among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or, though he has never been a favorite. In 2023, he ranked seventh in this prestigious award but has not been among the top 30 nominees for two consecutive seasons. This does not diminish his drive: “Of course, it’s an honor to be among the 30 best players in the world and attend such an important event. It signifies that you are doing things right. I take pride in it, but I am not concerned about not being in the top 30; I am doing what I love. Playing football is enough for me.”

His remarkable performance is also attributed to the trust placed in him by his coach, Diego Simeone. “We share the same vision of football: passion, hard work, dedication, that drive to compete against two major clubs, to never give up, to always believe. On the field, he trusts me and grants me total freedom: our relationship is very positive,” he affirms.