Argentine footballer Julian Alvarez will play this season and another five years for Atletico de Madrid, managed by his compatriot Diego Simeone, after two years at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, both clubs announced, in one of the star transfers of the summer.
The signing of Alvarez brings shine to a Spanish league that is still suffering from the loss of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and which this season will see the stellar arrival of Frenchman Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid.
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“Julian Alvarez, world and American champion with the Argentine national team, has signed a contract for the next six seasons,” explained the Madrid club, where his compatriot, the coach of the red-and-white club, Cholo Simeone, awaits him.
Julian Alvarez cost the English club 16 million euros ($17.4 million) when it signed him from River Plate and since then his rise has been meteoric he won the World Cup and the Copa America with Argentina, and two English league titles and a Champions League with City.
Atletico did not disclose the price of the 24-year-old’s transfer, which the Spanish sports press put at around 90 million euros ($98.4 million), which would make him the second most expensive in Atletico’s history after that of Portuguese Joao Felix, who exceeded 100 million euros.
“We confirm the permanent signing of Julian Alvarez for Atletico de Madrid. We wish you the best, Julian,” was all Manchester City could say on social media.
Norwegian Erling Haaland was Guardiola’s undisputed starting striker, which is believed to have contributed to the Argentine’s departure.
“He wanted to leave, he wanted new challenges. Atletico de Madrid is a top club in Spain, it was a pleasure to work with him and I hope he finds what he is looking for,” explained the City manager ahead of the Community Shield (English Super Cup) against Manchester United on Saturday.
“He was here for two years and we won everything together, his contribution was enormous,” Guardiola acknowledged.
Versatile forward
The Argentine “is a versatile, fast, skillful forward with great efficiency to link up with his teammates. He is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder,” Atletico explained in its statement, entitled “Welcome, Julian Alvarez!”
Formed in the lower categories of River Plate, where he arrived in 2016, Alvarez debuted with the first team of the Argentine club on October 27, 2018, and a few weeks later won the Copa Libertadores, entering the field during extra time of the final, recalled the Spanish club.
He was the top scorer in the Argentine league in the 2020/21 season with 18 goals and ended his career with the Argentine club with 54 goals and 31 assists in 122 games, before making the leap to England in 2022.
He has been an international since June 3, 2021, and is one of the important players in the recent great stage of Argentina captained by Lionel Messi.
“Today I say goodbye to this amazing club with many emotions. They were two very special years. During this time I grew and experienced a lot as a player and as a person. To the directors and the coaching staff, thank you for your trust and support. Your teachings and your vision helped me develop in a great way,” the player wrote on Instagram.
“To my teammates, I would like to thank you for every moment we shared, for the effort and dedication in every training session and in every match. I learned a lot from each one of you and I take with me memories and friendships that will last forever,” he added.
“To the fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great support and for making me feel at home from day one. I will always be very proud to have been part of this family. Manchester City will always have a particular place in my heart. I wish them every success in the future and I will continue to support the club from wherever I am. Thank you very much!” concluded the South American footballer.
