Julian Alvarez has shortly established himself as Atletico Madrid‘s star regardless of becoming a member of from Manchester Metropolis final season, contributing each offensively and defensively. Nevertheless, after Atletico’s 1-1 draw on Sunday, the Argentine ahead grew to become the middle of controversy after reacting visibly when head coach Diego Simeone substituted him: “All the time me.”
Atletico Madrid traveled to Son Moix Stadium to face RCD Mallorca for Matchday 5 of La Liga, coming off a midweek 3-2 defeat to Liverpool that had been an enormous blow. Positioned within the decrease half of the desk, the Colchoneros wanted a win to regain confidence after a rocky begin to the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Alvarez had the prospect to open the scoring however missed a penalty within the 14th minute, leaving the primary half scoreless. Within the 62nd minute, Simeone made a triple substitution, changing Alvarez with Alexander Sorloth. Ten minutes later, Sorloth was despatched off with a crimson card. The objectives got here later from Connor Gallagher within the 79th minute for Atletico and Vedat Muriqi within the eighty fifth for Mallorca, with the match finally ending 1-1.
Controversy erupted when Alvarez, already on the bench, confirmed seen frustration on the coach’s determination. Cameras caught the Argentine striker saying “Siempre a mí,” or “All the time me,” highlighting his dissatisfaction at being substituted, a development that has occurred incessantly in latest Atletico video games.
Within the post-match press convention, Simeone defined Alvarez’s substitution: “He’s the most effective participant we’ve got, offensively dependable. We’d like him at his finest. He was having an excellent recreation, however I felt we would have liked Sorloth to create some deeper conditions contained in the field. He was despatched off in a complicated play. We have been left with one much less. And with Julián, all of the gamers get upset when he comes off.”
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The 2025-26 season has not began as anticipated for Atletico Madrid, regardless of being one of many Spanish golf equipment that spent probably the most through the summer season switch window. With only one win, three attracts, and two losses throughout all competitions, Simeone remains to be reshaping his squad, and Alvarez seems to be one of the vital affected gamers by the coach’s rotations and lack of consistency.
Lack of belief in Alvarez?
Alvarez led Atletico in purpose contributions final season, ending as the highest scorer with 28 objectives and including eight assists, whereas additionally main the crew in urgent and defensive work fee. But, his contributions appear inadequate to completely fulfill Simeone, who has made him a frequent substitute.
Out of 57 video games performed through the 2024-25 season, Alvarez accomplished 90 minutes in solely 21 matches, lower than half. This development has worsened within the present marketing campaign.
Up to now within the 2025-26 season, Atletico have performed six video games (5 La Liga matches and one Champions League fixture). Alvarez missed solely the UCL recreation towards Liverpool as a result of damage, however within the different 5 La Liga matches, he has performed the total 90 minutes simply as soon as (vs. Elche) and is averaging 73.4 minutes per recreation—a comparatively low quantity for a star together with his bodily items and potential to be top-of-the-line in his place.
