Álvarez apologises to Atlético fans for World Cup exit comments

Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez has apologised to the club's fans for comments he made during the World Cup suggesting he wanted to leave, saying he understands why supporters were angry with him.

The Argentina international was strongly linked with Barcelona in the summer transfer window. According to the reports, he said during the World Cup that he thought it would be best if Atlético sold him. The club turned down Barcelona's offer, and Álvarez was whistled and jeered by his own supporters at the start of the season.

Speaking to Movistar after Saturday's 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruña, he said: "I wanted to apologise to our people for my words during the World Cup."

He described the comments as a mistake "both in how I expressed myself and the timing", adding that he would have been angry too if he were a fan.

Álvarez also thanked the supporters for standing by him. "They've been very generous, and I really value that," he said.

Goals return as mood softens

The 26-year-old, who joined from Manchester City in 2024, has become a key player under Diego Simeone over the past two seasons. The tension around him has eased in recent weeks.

He scored his first goals of the season against Stuttgart in the Champions League, then got the only goal against Deportivo at the Metropolitano stadium on Saturday — described in the reports as one of his brightest displays this season.

Álvarez credited his teammates for their support during the difficult period and said he is working to improve. "I've felt better in these last few matches… both physically and with the ball," he said.

For Nigerian fans who follow La Liga and the Champions League closely, the apology closes a public row that had made him a target of his own crowd. With his goals back, Atlético will hope he can carry that form into their domestic and European campaigns.