Julian Alvarez explains why he didn’t sign for Real Madrid

Julian Alvarez is the attacking reference for Atletico Madrid and maybe a very powerful man in Simeone’s group. The Argentine has the opposition aim between his sights, which has seen him rating 9 targets this season between LaLiga and the Champions League, seven of them within the home championship, which locations him second within the race for the Pichichi trophy.

In an intensive interview with ‘L’Equipe’, Julian Alvarez critiques his whole profession as a participant from the second he left his native Argentina, by way of England and till he arrived at Atletico, the place he has established himself as the most effective strikers on the planet.

As a baby, he tried out for Actual Madrid, however says it was not the fitting time to make the leap to Europe: “I had the chance to come back to Madrid after I was 11 years outdated. My father accompanied me to Spain for about 20 days. I educated with Actual Madrid after which performed in a match in Peralada, which we gained. However to remain, my entire household would have needed to come and reside with me. It was an ideal expertise, however it was nonetheless too early for me.”

Once I was 11 years outdated I educated with Actual Madrid (…); however to remain, my entire household would have needed to come and reside with me

Julián Álvarez, Atlético de Madrid ahead.

In fashionable soccer, the place physicality is so essential, it’s uncommon for the centre-forward of one in all Europe’s high groups to be 1.70 metres tall. Julian is aware of this, and since he was a baby he has needed to overcome these prejudices wherever he has gone: “I keep in mind very nicely my first trial at River Plate. “They requested me my yr of beginning and my place. I replied: ‘2000, quantity 9’. They stated to me: ‘Quantity 9? It is the quantity 9 of your class!’, and so they pointed to an enormous man. However I wasn’t anxious in any respect, as a result of I knew my strengths. I might play as a quantity 9, somewhat bit additional again, on the fitting, on the left, and adapt. It was by no means an issue.”

Not solely due to his peak is he a ‘bizarre man’ in right this moment’s soccer. Dressing rooms are filled with tattoos, arms filled with drawings, backs that do not see a chunk of pores and skin with out ink, legs fully adorned… However Julian is minimize from a unique material: “The opposite day, within the nationwide group camp, somebody commented to me that I used to be the one participant with out tattoos. I do not do it to be totally different. As a baby, my father used to say to us: ‘No tattoos, no cigarettes, no alcohol’. As adults, everybody makes their very own selections, however I do not really feel the necessity to have tattoos.

The reality is that I am fairly calm and I take pleasure in spending time at residence with my family members. That is the place I really feel happiest.”

Once I was younger, my father used to say, ‘No tattoos, no cigarettes, no alcohol’

Julián Álvarez, Atlético de Madrid ahead

In two seasons with Manchester Metropolis, he scored 36 targets in 6,007 minutes, however maybe Haaland’s determine eclipsed him and he was not as outstanding as he would have favored. “I had various enjoying time, though not all the time within the decisive matches. I typically got here on instead.” This final reflection is what made him come to Spain: “I acquired calls from a number of golf equipment. I selected to come back to Atletico as a result of I felt I might earn a spot right here and provides my greatest, due to the area they provided me.”

Julian Alvarez’s identify is a recurring one within the markets. He’s rumored to be a alternative for Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona, as he as soon as was for PSG. Julian focuses on the crimson and white. “Frankly, I do not know. I see what is claimed on social networks… In Spain there may be plenty of discuss me and Barcelona. Once I signed for Atletico final yr, there was additionally plenty of discuss Paris. It’s true that there have been conversations between the PSG board and my agent; they confirmed curiosity in signing me, however it didn’t materialize. For the second, I’m targeted on Atletico. We’ll see what occurs on the finish of the season,” he says.

In Spain they speak so much about me and Barcelona. Once I signed for Atletico final yr, there was additionally plenty of discuss Paris

Julián Álvarez, Atlético de Madrid ahead.

His numbers in latest seasons have positioned him among the many candidates for the Ballon d’Or, though by no means as a favourite. In 2023 he completed seventh on this award, however he has gone two seasons with out being among the many 30 nominees. He isn’t shedding sleep over it. “Clearly, it is an honor to be among the many 30 greatest gamers on the planet and to attend such an essential occasion. It means you are doing issues proper. I am pleased with it, however I am not anxious about not being among the many 30 nominees. I am doing what I am keen about. I do not want reward to be comfortable. Enjoying soccer is sufficient for me”.

His good efficiency can be primarily based on the boldness that his coach, Cholo Simeone, provides him on the pitch. “We share the identical imaginative and prescient of soccer: ardour, arduous work, dedication, that need to struggle towards two huge golf equipment, to by no means hand over, to all the time consider,” he says. “On the pitch, he trusts me and offers me whole freedom: our relationship may be very optimistic.”