Alvarez’s toughest task now may be mending his bond with Atletico’s fanbase.
Sections of the crowd have made their displeasure clear, with whistles and boos greeting him in the opening weeks of the season.
“It makes total sense that Atleti refused Barcelona’s terms just because he wanted the move,” said Atleti supporter Dani. “Football doesn’t work like that.”
“We aim to compete with the best in La Liga, and you can’t sell your top player straight to a rival for a bargain.”
From a supporter’s perspective, the frustration is easy to understand. When your star striker looks set on leaving—especially to a major rival—regaining trust won’t happen overnight.
“His comments and attitude were a real shock,” said another fan, Ignacio.
“He’s probably been poorly advised by his agent and those around him.
“Even if he apologises, it still feels like he wants out, and with the window now closed, any apology may seem forced.”
The club spent a record £81.5m to sign him from Manchester City in 2024, handing him a six-year deal and making him one of Simeone’s biggest investments.
He has repaid part of that faith with 49 goals and 17 assists in 107 appearances and, for long stretches in Madrid, enjoyed strong backing from the stands. Now, that connection needs rebuilding.
“If he starts scoring again, people will get anxious,” Dani said.
“But some fans never forget. Many still haven’t forgiven Antoine Griezmann for what happened, and he apologised on the pitch in front of 60,000 at the end of last season.”
Griezmann’s 2019 move to Barcelona left a bitter taste among Atletico fans, but when he returned two years later he gradually rebuilt that rapport through performances and commitment.
By the time he departed in 2026, he had won over most supporters and reestablished himself as one of the club’s key figures.
His exit, however, leaves Atletico without an experienced leader up front.
Simeone will look to Alvarez to shoulder more responsibility—not only by scoring—but by leading the press, creating space, and linking play.
He won’t have much time to find his rhythm before the Champions League begins.
Atletico face a gruelling run, with trips to Athletic Club, Liverpool and Real Sociedad, before returning home to meet Osasuna and then Real Madrid in La Liga.
If Alvarez rediscovers the form that made him so influential at Atletico, the summer’s turmoil may gradually fade into the background.