MADRID — A significant storyline has emerged ahead of Atletico Madrid’s 2025-26 La Liga campaign, as star Argentine forward Julián Álvarez has been omitted from the squad for the club’s opening fixture against Malaga, scheduled for Wednesday at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The situation is layered by a pre-season revelation: Álvarez made his desire to secure a transfer away from the Madrid-based club clear to Atletico’s front office during the offseason. In response, club leadership has repeatedly stated it has no intention to enter negotiations for the forward’s departure, insisting he remains part of their long-term plans.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Atletico head coach Diego Simeone offered an explanation for Álvarez’s exclusion from the opening match squad, citing fitness as the core reason. The 26-year-old attacker has not yet hit the required physical match readiness after his offseason break, Simeone explained.
Despite the ongoing transfer uncertainty, Simeone made clear he still views Álvarez as a critical piece for the entire upcoming season. He went as far as naming the Argentine the squad’s top talent, and confirmed he expects the forward to be fit and available for selection for Atletico’s second league match of the season, an away trip to face Villarreal this coming Sunday.
Álvarez was not the only high-profile absence from the opening match squad. Newly signed Argentine defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero was also left out, alongside starting striker Alexander Sorloth, who is currently sidelined with an injury that rules him out of contention.
The omission comes amid ongoing speculation around Álvarez’s future, with multiple top European clubs linked with a potential move for the in-demand forward. Simeone’s comments have served to clarify the club’s current stance, quashing rumors of an intentional disciplinary exclusion and reaffirming Álvarez’s place in the team’s plans for the season, at least for the immediate future.