Former Manchester City forward, Julian Alvarez, has recently shed light on his reasons for leaving the Etihad Stadium. The 24-year-old Argentine striker made a club-record exit from Manchester City to join Atletico Madrid in a deal worth €95 million. This move came just two years after he was signed from River Plate for £14 million.
Alvarez had an impressive run with Pep Guardiola’s side, winning six trophies during his tenure with the Sky Blues. These included two Premier League titles and the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy. In March 2023, he extended his contract with Manchester City until 2028 but chose to leave ahead of the new season.
The striker also had significant contributions on an international level since moving to East Manchester. He lifted both FIFA World Cup and Copa America trophies with Argentina. During the 2023/24 campaign alone, Alvarez registered 32 direct goal involvements for Manchester City - a testament to his prowess on-field.
Transitioning to La Liga
Alvarez made his debut as an Atletico Madrid player in a match against Villarreal that ended in a 2-2 draw. His first start under Diego Simeone’s leadership was against Girona at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano where they suffered a disappointing defeat by three goals.
Despite this rocky start at Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez remains optimistic about this new chapter of his career in La Liga.
The reason behind the move
In an interview with ESPN, Alvarez revealed why he decided to swap Premier League glory for La Liga challenges. However, details of this revelation were not provided within our context and will be updated once available.
Atletico Madrid forward, Julian Alvarez, said:
“I felt that I needed a change in my career. I needed to look for a new challenge and I believe that this club gives me the tools to give my best.
“I’ve come here to help the team and to fight for every title. I spoke to [Diego] Simeone and he said he wanted me to come here. He said that I was going to help the team and they would enhance my strengths and help me improve on my weaknesses. My aim is to show my best form, help the team win and take Atlético to the highest level.”
Looking ahead into this season's UEFA Champions League format changes could potentially pit him against former teammates at Manchester City - adding an interesting dynamic to Alvarez's career trajectory. Julian Alvarez's move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid marks a significant shift in his career. His contributions at the Etihad Stadium were remarkable, and fans are eager to see how he will perform in La Liga. The upcoming UEFA Champions League could also provide an exciting platform for Alvarez as he may face off against his former team.
