Julián Álvarez Misses Atlético Training Due to Illness After 2-2 Villarreal Draw

Julián Álvarez missed Wednesday's session at the Majadahonda Sports Centre due to illness following his 66th-minute appearance in a 2-2 draw against Villarreal.

Julián Álvarez missed Atlético Madrid's training session on Wednesday due to an illness, following the team's 2-2 draw against Villarreal on Sunday. The 26-year-old striker returned to competitive action during that match, entering the pitch in the 66th minute. This appearance followed a prolonged absence after his participation with the Argentina national team at the 2026 World Cup. Despite the health setback, the forward is expected to be fit for the upcoming LaLiga fixture against league leaders Sevilla.

During the session at the Majadahonda Sports Centre, manager Diego Simeone began tactical preparations for the clash with Sevilla without his high-profile attacker. Álvarez faced a hostile reception from his own supporters during the Villarreal match, where he was booed and jeered. This reaction stems from the player's reported desire to transfer to Barcelona. The Catalan club previously submitted a €100 million ($116m) offer to be paid in six installments starting in early June, but Atlético Madrid rejected the bid, instead pointing to a €500 million ($583m) release clause.

Transfer Market Tension and Roster Updates

With the transfer window set to close on September 1, Arsenal has reportedly reignited interest in the Argentine forward. Atlético management has maintained throughout the summer that the striker will remain at the club, citing a contract that runs until 2030. While Álvarez dealt with his illness, other squad members faced varying availability. Alexander Sørloth remains a significant doubt for the next match, having missed the first two games of the season with an injury. Sørloth continued to train separately from the main group on Wednesday.

In contrast, Obed Vargas, Carlos Martín, Thomas Lemar, and José María Giménez all participated in the full team training session. Despite their involvement, all four players could potentially depart the club before the September 1 deadline. The training environment remains fluid as Simeone manages a squad featuring both injury concerns and unresolved transfer statuses.

Global Football Developments

Beyond the activities at Majadahonda, several international transfer negotiations are progressing. Sources indicate that Liverpool has reignited talks with Paris Saint-Germain regarding Bradley Barcola. Simultaneously, Tottenham Hotspur has reached an agreement with Manchester City for the loan of Omar Marmoush. In administrative news, former football stars Cafu, Roberto Carlos, and Javier Zanetti have publicly expressed their support for Gianni Infantino.

Preparing for Sevilla

Atlético Madrid currently focuses on integrating returning players while navigating the final week of the summer window. The club's insistence on the €500m valuation for Álvarez remains the primary barrier to a Barcelona move. As the team pivots from the 2-2 result against Villarreal, the medical staff will monitor the striker's recovery from his challenging evening to ensure he is available for the top-of-the-table encounter. The return of Lemar and Giménez to the grass provides Simeone with additional defensive and midfield options, even as speculation regarding their futures persists. Alex Kirkland contributed reporting to these developments as the club prepares for the visit to Sevilla.