Atletico Madrid started the 2026/27 La Liga season with a 2-0 victory over Malaga, however the largest story from the evening had little to do with the outcome.
Julian Alvarez was nowhere to be seen.
The Argentine ahead was not solely absent from Diego Simeone’s beginning XI however overlooked of the matchday squad altogether, together with his omission coming as hypothesis over a potential Atletico Madrid exit continues to develop.
Simeone had attempted to calm the situation earlier than the sport, explaining that Alvarez wanted further coaching after his latest worldwide commitments with Argentina.
Nevertheless, his absence didn’t cease Barcelona transfer links from dominating the environment round Atletico’s opening match.
Understandably, the response from components of the house help was notably hostile.
Alvarez absence sparks main response from Atletico followers
Alvarez’s absence was already a serious speaking level earlier than kick-off, however the state of affairs turned much more noticeable as Atletico Madrid supporters made their emotions recognized.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 Atletico Madrid followers had a banner for Alvarez that acquired taken down The banner mentioned “Julián, thanks for the respect you are displaying us, you fool. Barça and your entourage have tricked you want a spoiled baby”
Some followers have commented on @RNEdeportes in regards to the state of affairs pic.twitter.com/QxZN2qMY5j— Omar abdallah (@omarabdalla0) August 19, 2026
The striker was overlooked for sporting causes, but his future remained within the highlight all through the night.
Some Atletico followers displayed a banner aimed straight on the Argentine and his reported hyperlinks with Barcelona.
“Julian, thanks for the respect you’re displaying us, you fool; Barça and your entourage have tricked you want a spoilt baby.”
The response comes after Alvarez expressed his want to depart Atletico Madrid through the World Cup, including additional rigidity to an already sophisticated state of affairs.
For the followers, the mixture of his potential departure, Barcelona hyperlinks and absence from the squad seems to have created actual frustration.
Atletico finally secured a snug 2-0 win over Malaga to begin their La Liga marketing campaign with three factors, however the discussion after the match continued to revolve across the participant who was not concerned.
Atletico supporters break up on whether or not Alvarez ought to keep or go away
The frustration was additionally clear in reactions from Atletico supporters exterior the stadium.
🙏 “¿JULIÁN? QUE PIDA PERDÓN”.
🔴⚪️ La afición del ATLETI lo tiene claro en la encuesta de @inakivdl.
📺 #ChiringuitoJulián 📺 pic.twitter.com/qFOtIgrCgc
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) August 19, 2026
El Chiringuito TV spoke to followers in regards to the state of affairs, and several other didn’t maintain again when requested what ought to occur to the Barcelona-linked ahead.
“Let him go to Barça without cost,” one fan mentioned.
One other supporter took a special view and prompt that Alvarez ought to stay on the membership however lose his place within the group.
“I’d hold him and put him on the bench,” mentioned one other, whereas one other mentioned, “If he desires to remain, he should apologise.”
The responses make it just about clear that endurance amongst some supporters is starting to put on skinny.
Alvarez stays one among Atletico’s largest names and one among their most vital attacking gamers.
However when a participant is linked with leaving and is then absent from the squad for the opening recreation of the season, hypothesis is of course going to extend.
