Julián Álvarez issued an apology to Atlético Madrid supporters for statements made during the 2026 World Cup, in a step aimed at mending his relationship with the stands following the summer controversy over his desire to leave.
The Argentine striker’s apology came via Movistar after scoring the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday evening, as his performances have begun to show steady improvement in recent matches.
The story dates back to his participation in the World Cup when, following the match against Austria, he announced that he had spoken with Atlético officials regarding his future, stating at the time: “I believe the best option for everyone is a transfer, and I want to pursue my dream.”
While Álvarez did not explicitly name Barcelona in those statements, the Catalan club was heavily linked with his desire to move. Atlético stood firm on keeping him, resulting in the player staying and facing backlash from a segment of the supporters, including jeers that persisted into the new season, before he scored against Stuttgart in European competition and then handed his team a 1-0 victory over Deportivo.
Álvarez said: “I wanted to apologize to our fans for my words during the World Cup. It was a mistake on my part, both in how I phrased it and in its timing, especially since I understand the fans’ anger. Had I been a fan, I would have been angry too, particularly after all the support they gave me. They have been very generous with me, and I appreciate that immensely.”
He added: “I also want to thank the team for supporting me throughout this period. I feel progressively better, and I am grateful to all my teammates for standing by me. I am working to improve, and in recent matches, I’ve felt better physically and on the ball. I want to help the team and give my absolute best.”
He continued: “When you feel good in your life, it reflects on the pitch. Although we are professionals, everything affects us. I feel good and ready to compete for everything,” concluding: “I hope to turn this situation around through hard work and humility.”
For his part, Diego Simeone commented on his striker’s apology, stating: “I deeply respect people who apologize; it is always a difficult thing to do. I am happy for Julián; he will feel much more at ease now, and when he says something like this, he truly means it.”
The Atlético manager added: “We need him. If the club wants to reach the levels our fans dream of, we need Julián performing at his absolute best.”
