Julián Álvarez is not just unhappy at Atlético Madrid, the man looks absolutely miserable, and his official squad picture for the upcoming season proves it. The 26-year-old striker was trending all over social media on Wednesday after that headshot dropped, and it’s easy to see why. Unlike every other year, there’s zero smile, he looks genuinely unhappy, and frankly, it’s a huge red flag.
The Blocked Move and That Stone-Faced Shot
This isn’t just some random photo opp. It’s no secret the guy wants out of Madrid, plain and simple. And Atlético Madrid? They’ve blocked every single offer for their star striker so far, even a massive reported $114 million bid from their LaLiga rivals, FC Barcelona. That’s a huge commitment from the club, no doubt, but what good is it if your star player is mentally checked out and showing the world exactly how he feels right on the official team photo? His visible displeasure screams more than just a bad mood.
Left Out of the Opener, But Coach Says He’s Still Counting On Him?
And then Wednesday happened. Álvarez was left out of the squad entirely for Atlético Madrid’s LaLiga opener against Malaga. Coach Diego Simeone said on Tuesday that Álvarez wasn’t “physically ready” for the match at Estadio Metropolitano. Okay, sure, physical readiness. But is it really just that? Simeone says he’s still counting on Álvarez for the season and even called him the team’s best player. The coach expects Álvarez to be available to play in Sunday’s league game against Villarreal. That’s some serious mixed signals, isn’t it? Also missing from the squad were newly signed defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero and injured striker Alexander Sorloth, but the focus is all on Álvarez.
So, what happens next? All eyes are on Sunday’s league game against Villarreal. Can Álvarez actually be “physically ready” and shake off this obvious frustration? Or is this just the beginning of a messy season where the club’s “best player” is a public relations nightmare? This is going to be wild to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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