In the summer of 2024, many supporters questioned why Man City sold Julian Alvarez to Atlético Madrid and the decision now seems to be a mistake as manager Pep Guardiola said he would love to have the Argentine back at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spanish coach, known for his tactical brilliance and player development, described Álvarez as “incredible” and praised the striker’s success under Diego Simeone in Spain’s capital.
Guardiola full of praise for Álvarez’s progress in Spain
Speaking during a recent media briefing, Guardiola reflected on some of the key players who left City in search of regular playing time, acknowledging that their departures were understandable but still left him wishing he could work with them again.
The City boss highlighted Aymeric Laporte and Julián Álvarez as two players he misses most this season.
“The Treble year, do you remember the players I left on the bench? Aymeric Laporte, an incredible central defender and a regular for the national team, Julián (Álvarez) and others who I would love to have now, but they wanted to play more and left,” Guardiola said, as quoted by Tribuna.
The former Bayern Munich manager explained why Man City sold Julian Alvarez to Atlético Madrid, stating that he wanted to have more playing time. He further went on to emphasise the remarkable talent Álvarez brought to Manchester City, even while competing for minutes with Erling Haaland — arguably one of the best strikers in world football.
“Julián had to compete with Erling (Haaland), which was something extraordinary for us. Now he’s at one of the best teams in the world, Atlético Madrid, with a world-class coach (Diego Simeone) and teammates, and he’s performing incredibly well. Now I’d love to have him with me… but I understand.”
Guardiola’s admiration is unsurprising given Álvarez’s consistent performances for both club and country.
Since joining Atlético Madrid, the 25-year-old has flourished under Simeone’s disciplined and high-intensity system, becoming one of La Liga’s most reliable forwards.
His relentless work rate, versatility, and knack for scoring crucial goals have made him indispensable to the Spanish giants.
Álvarez originally joined Manchester City from River Plate in January 2022, though he officially linked up with the Premier League champions that summer.
In his two seasons in England, he made 103 appearances across all competitions, scoring 36 goals and providing 19 assists.
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Despite often being deployed as a backup to Haaland, Álvarez played a significant role in City’s treble-winning campaign — helping them to lift the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the 2022–23 season.
However, the Argentine forward eventually sought more regular minutes, prompting his move to Atlético Madrid. Guardiola’s comments underline how much City valued his contribution and how highly he is still regarded at the Etihad.
Álvarez reflects on warm farewell with Guardiola
While some transfers can end on tense terms, Álvarez’s departure from Manchester City appears to have been built on mutual respect. The World Cup winner recently opened up about his final exchange with Guardiola, revealing that the pair parted ways on the best possible note.
Speaking to Infobae earlier this season, Álvarez shared how he reached out to Guardiola to express his gratitude after two successful years in Manchester.
“I’m not one to send messages, but yes, I do see what people say. All the coaches I’ve had have treated me very well. In fact, more is said than what it really is,” he said.
He continued, recalling Guardiola’s response: “The last conversations I had with Pep were about ‘thank you very much for everything you gave us in two years.
“There were so many titles. You never caused any problems, you didn’t bring any trouble to the club. Nothing. You always gave your all.’ Not one complaint. They were always words of gratitude and mine too towards the club.”
Although many football supporters including pundits asked why Man City sold Julian Alvarez to Atlético Madrid despite his contributions, the striker, however, made it known that he left Manchester with mutual agreement between him and the club.
The Argentine, known for his humility and quiet determination, became a fan favourite not only for his goals but also for his selfless work ethic. Despite limited minutes due to Haaland’s dominance, Álvarez consistently delivered when called upon — often in crucial matches across multiple competitions.
Now in Madrid, Álvarez’s decision to seek new challenges appears to be paying off handsomely. Since his move, he has featured 67 times for Atlético and has already equalled his Manchester City goal tally of 36, while also registering 11 assists.
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His form has helped Simeone’s side maintain their competitiveness in both domestic and European contests, and he has grown into a vital figure for Argentina as well.
His success has not gone unnoticed across Europe. Over the summer, several top clubs were reportedly monitoring the forward, including Chelsea and Liverpool from the Premier League, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich were also said to have shown interest.
However, Atlético have made it clear that the striker is not for sale, with Simeone viewing him as central to the team’s long-term plans.
