Madrid Mayor Speaks Out on Julián Álvarez: 'We Need Him Back on Track'

Amid a transfer storm and fan frustration, Julián Álvarez is enduring the toughest period since joining Atlético Madrid. Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida has called for patience and support for the Argentine striker, who has yet to score this season after moving from Manchester City for £81.5 million ($110 million) in summer 2026. Álvarez, 26, has made 109 appearances for Atlético, scoring 49 goals and providing 18 assists – a rate of 0.45 goals per game. This season, however, he has only one assist in a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool, his first full 90-minute start. The goal drought, combined with his public desire to leave 'to fulfill a dream', has angered Atlético fans, who even booed him on his return to the Metropolitano. Mayor Almeida, in an interview with Cadena Cope, tried to defuse tensions: 'I don't ask for an apology. I ask him to score goals. We need to get Julián back on track'. He warned that if the situation doesn't improve, Álvarez's value will halve next year. This puts Atlético in a bind: hold a depreciating asset or sell at a discount. Barcelona approached Atlético in the summer but were rejected, while Arsenal are also monitoring the situation. Interest from multiple big clubs gives Atlético an 'exit route' if the relationship can't be repaired. However, the mayor's public intervention is unusual, turning an internal club matter into a political and public opinion issue. Tactically, manager Diego Simeone starting Álvarez for the full Liverpool game suggests he still trusts the player despite the goal drought. The assist to Marcos Llorente is a positive sign, but only a goal can fully shift the narrative. Pressure from the stands and media will only increase if he continues to misfire. Contrarily, the sample size is too small to conclude Álvarez is in decline. He has only started one game this season, against a tough Liverpool side. Disruption from injury or adaptation after a record transfer are factors to consider. Spanish football culture, especially at a club like Atlético that values fighting spirit, makes a star's public wish to leave hard to swallow. But as Mayor Almeida said, everything ultimately comes down to goals. If Álvarez starts scoring, the boos will fade and the story will shift from 'crisis' to 'comeback'. Atlético Madrid stands at a crossroads: keep Álvarez and bet on a form revival, or sell in January before his value drops further. With interest from Barcelona and Arsenal, they can still recoup the investment. The decision will affect the whole season and team stability. Conclusion: Julián Álvarez is not a bad player. 49 goals in 109 games is a respectable record. He is simply in a tough patch that any star can experience. How he and the club overcome it matters. Will one goal be enough to erase all tension? Or is a parting inevitable? Time will tell, but the story of Julián Álvarez in Madrid still has many chapters to come.