Julian Alvarez faces a tense homecoming at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday as Atletico Madrid open their La Liga season against Malaga, following a turbulent summer transfer saga that saw the Argentine striker publicly demand a move away from the club.
Before kickoff, the 26-year-old forward and his fellow Argentine World Cup runners-up must participate in a stadium tribute honoring Atletico's Spanish players who won the 2026 World Cup in New Jersey last month.
The friction began nearly two months ago in the United States during the World Cup group stage. Speaking after Argentina's second group match against Austria, Alvarez stated that a transfer would be the best step for his career and expressed his desire to fulfill his dream of playing elsewhere, making it clear he did not wish to remain at the Metropolitano.
Despite Alvarez's public declaration, Atletico Madrid maintained a firm stance against selling the star striker ahead of the transfer window deadline on September 1. Real Madrid submitted a 150 million euro offer that was rejected immediately by Atletico, while Barcelona also pursued him continuously. Although Barcelona have not completely abandoned their pursuit, Atletico's refusal remains absolute, leaving Alvarez set to continue wearing the red-and-white shirt in the Spanish capital.
Tribute to World Cup champions
In an official statement, Atletico Madrid announced that the club will conduct a pre-match ceremony so supporters can pay tribute to Spain's World Cup winners. The club highlighted four members of Diego Simeone's squad who claimed the trophy on July 19: Alex Baena, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, and Alejandro Grimaldo.
The celebration creates an uncomfortable situation for manager Simeone and the Argentine players in the squad. Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Juan Musso, and new signing Cuti Romero were all on the pitch when Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain in the final, and they will now be expected to applaud their Spanish teammates. Atletico's statement urged supporters to arrive early so as not to miss a moment that the club said would remain in the memory of everyone present at the Metropolitano.
Uncertain role in opening match
Beyond the ceremony, Alvarez faces an uncertain reception from the Metropolitano crowd following his summer transfer request. Public sentiment remains tense, with any potential hostility from supporters expected to be healed only through strong performances and goals during the upcoming campaign.
Alvarez's participation in the opening match is also far from guaranteed. Having been among the last players to report for pre-season training, it is not confirmed whether he will start or even play against Malaga. Simeone may opt for a specialized preparation plan to manage the star's fitness while simultaneously protecting him from a hostile atmosphere, though Atletico also play their second league fixture at home.
Forward Arnau Ortiz, who is now registered with the first-team squad, could feature prominently after an impressive pre-season. Wednesday's match could also see initial home minutes for new recruits Morten Hjulmand and Kang-in Lee. Meanwhile, with Atletico refusing to sell Alvarez, Barcelona have explored alternative attacking options, including a surprising target from Villarreal.
