Argentina international forward Julian Alvarez returned to Madrid today, Monday, August 10, 2026, following a short break after the World Cup finals.
The star arrived early in the morning and headed straight to Vithas Madrid Arturo Soria University Hospital for medical tests.
Alvarez joined other international players who had been on holiday after representing their respective national teams.
However, the forward’s return has been overshadowed by intense transfer speculation, with Barcelona reportedly showing strong interest in signing him.
The development has caused considerable concern within Atletico Madrid, who have already filed an official complaint with world football governing body FIFA, alleging that Barcelona is breaching regulations by pursuing the player unlawfully.
Atletico Madrid’s stance
Atletico Madrid’s management has taken a firm stance, insisting that the player is not for sale.
The club has also pointed out that Alvarez has a release clause with a substantial financial value, which would be difficult for Barcelona to meet given their current financial situation.
The player is expected to begin light individual training before meeting head coach Diego Simeone for detailed discussions about his future and the new league season, which is set to begin soon.
