Julián Álvarez rejoins Atlético training after 3-1 win at Sevilla

Julián Álvarez returned to the Cerro del Espino training ground on Sunday after missing three sessions and being excluded from the squad for the 3-1 victory over Sevilla.

Atlético Madrid secured a 3-1 victory against Sevilla in LaLiga on Saturday, August 29, despite the absence of star forward Julián Álvarez. Álex Baena provided the offensive spark for the visitors, scoring twice to secure the three points at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Coach Diego Simeone opted to leave Álvarez out of the matchday squad entirely while the club addressed ongoing transfer speculation involving Barcelona. Following the result, the Argentina international rejoined his teammates for a group session on Sunday, August 30, marking his first appearance with the collective since last Tuesday.

Julián Álvarez training return follows a week where the forward missed three scheduled sessions. He was absent from group work on Wednesday and Thursday before transitioning to individual drills on Friday. The club officially characterized the player as being "unwell" during this period of absence. CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín provided further context, describing the striker as "confused" and navigating a "very difficult situation, both personally and professionally." The executive explicitly blamed Barcelona for the current instability surrounding the player's status.

Gil Marín Rejects Barcelona Negotiations

Despite the interest from the Catalan club, Atlético Madrid has maintained a rigid stance regarding a potential domestic transfer. CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín reiterated on Friday that the club would not engage in talks with their LaLiga rivals. "We won't negotiate with Barcelona, with absolute certainty," Gil Marín stated, effectively blocking a move to the Camp Nou. However, the club has not completely closed the door on a sale, indicating they would be open to a departure elsewhere if the player expressed a desire to leave for a team outside of Barcelona.

While the boardroom conflict persists, Barcelona has reportedly moved on to other targets, entering advanced talks with Arsenal for the transfer of Gabriel Jesus. Simultaneously, Manchester United has been offered Atlético striker Alexander Sørloth as the summer transfer window nears its conclusion. These movements occur as Simeone attempts to reintegrate his star forward into the sporting project at the Cerro del Espino training facility.

Simeone Addresses Personal Process

Following the 3-1 win over Sevilla, Diego Simeone addressed the media regarding the forward's mental and physical state. The manager labeled the current circumstances as a "personal process" for the player. Simeone emphasized the club's commitment to supporting the Argentina international, stating that the coaching staff is there to help him in a sporting sense. The manager further described Álvarez as an "extraordinary player" whose contributions are vital to the team's success on the pitch.

Sunday's training session served as the first time Álvarez worked alongside the full squad since the transfer saga intensified last week. The session took place at the club's primary training base, Cerro del Espino, as the team began preparations for their upcoming fixtures. The forward had previously been restricted to solo work on Friday while his teammates prepared for the trip to Seville.

Transfer Market Context

At 10:38 AM ET on August 30, reports confirmed that the standoff between the two Spanish giants remains unresolved. The refusal to negotiate with Barcelona stems from a directive by Gil Marín to protect the club's competitive interests within LaLiga. As Álvarez returns to the grass with his teammates, the focus shifts to whether he will be included in future matchday squads or if a move to a non-Barcelona destination will materialize before the deadline. For now, the player remains an Atlético Madrid asset, reintegrating into the daily routine under Simeone’s supervision following the successful 3-1 result in Seville.