“Álvarez out of Atlético Madrid fuels speculation about Barcelona.”

Diego Simeone has decided to leave Argentine forward Julián Álvarez out of Atlético Madrid's squad for the friendly against Olympique de Marseille, thus delaying the player's debut in the new season with the colchoneros. The uncertainty surrounding Álvarez's future is growing, particularly due to his desire to join Barcelona.

According to the Catalan newspaper “Sport,” Álvarez's absence was not a surprise, as the player only managed to complete five days of physical training with the team during pre-season. However, the situation goes beyond physical condition. In a meeting last Wednesday, the forward revealed to Simeone that he no longer feels enough enthusiasm to continue at Atlético. Álvarez's desire to move to Barcelona is becoming increasingly evident, with his agent requesting an urgent meeting with the club's executive director, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, to discuss the player's future.

Gil Marín has been out of Madrid on holiday, which has delayed the anticipated meeting and contributed to the growing rumors about the Argentine forward's departure. Almost the entire squad has been called up for the trip to Marseille, with the exception of the injured Alexander Sorloth. The internationals who joined preparations this week, including Alex Baena, Marcos Llorente, goalkeeper Musso, and Álvarez, were all left out of the list. Álvarez's absence further highlights his unwillingness to wear the Atlético shirt again.

Simeone, for his part, is standing firm regarding his Argentine striker, considering him one of the key pieces of his offensive project. However, Álvarez's final decision may become more complicated due to the mental impact this situation is having on him.

Attention now turns to next week, when Atlético begins its La Liga campaign at home, facing Málaga on August 19. In theory, the internationals should integrate into Simeone's plans for that match, which makes Álvarez's presence a topic of great discussion. The second league match, also at home, will be against Villarreal, where the fans' reaction to the Argentine striker could influence the unfolding of the crisis. The club's management is closely monitoring the fans' response, as a hostile reception for Álvarez could precipitate an even more complicated scenario.

This situation recalls what happened with Portuguese player João Félix, who faced hostility from fans due to his desire to leave, culminating in his transfer. Álvarez's saga may follow a similar path, depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks.