After his vacation following the 2026 World Cup, Julián Álvarez had an uncomfortable return to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The Argentine forward was called up again by Diego Simeone after the tension generated during the transfer market and received a resounding boo from the fans of Atlético de Madrid before the match against Villarreal, for the second round of LaLiga.
The situation arose when the stadium announcer announced the starting lineup and substitutes. When Álvarez's image appeared on the stadium screens wearing the number 19 jersey, the boos came down from the stands and accompanied the announcement of his name.
The forward started the match on the bench and experienced the moment with visible sadness. While he remained sitting and downcast, Juan Musso, his teammate both at Colchonero and in the Argentine National Team, approached to support him.
The reception was a continuation of a discomfort that began during the transfer market. Álvarez had publicly expressed his intention to leave the Madrid team to seek a transfer to Barcelona, although ultimately the operation did not go through and the attacker remained at the club.
