Julian Alvarez Shines at Atletico Madrid as Champions League Test Looms

Posted : 20 October 2025

Julian Alvarez has become Atletico Madrid’s standout player, but the club must prove their European credentials to satisfy the Argentine striker’s ambitions.

Julian Alvarez has quickly established himself as Atletico Madrid’s most influential player, yet the Argentine forward remains eager to see if the club can match his ambitions and compete consistently among Europe’s elite. A high-profile test awaits on Tuesday, when Atletico visit Arsenal, last season’s Champions League semifinalists, in a fixture that could define the club’s European credentials.

Since a narrow defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in September, Diego Simeone’s side have bounced back with six unbeaten games across all competitions. That loss had compounded a difficult start to the season following a trophyless 2024/25 campaign, fueling speculation that Barcelona might target Alvarez next summer to replace veteran Robert Lewandowski. Alvarez, however, remained non-committal when asked about the rumours, emphasizing his focus on Atletico.

The striker joined Atletico in 2024 for €85 million ($99 million) from Manchester City and immediately made an impact, scoring 29 goals in his first season. With Antoine Griezmann’s influence waning, Alvarez assumed a central role, particularly during the latter half of the campaign. Despite a controversial disallowed penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16, which ended Atletico’s European run, Alvarez continued to elevate his performances.

This season, Alvarez has started strongly. He netted a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano in a 3-2 victory, scored twice in a 5-2 thrashing of Real Madrid, and contributed a goal plus two assists in a 5-1 rout of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. Earlier frustrations over being substituted were later clarified by Alvarez, who denied any criticism of Simeone, although the coach recognized the importance of keeping the striker content.

Alvarez’s excellence has also drawn praise from his former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who noted the striker’s ability to thrive alongside world-class teammates and expressed admiration for his performances at Atletico.

Atletico face one of their toughest challenges yet against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The return of playmaker Alex Baena from injury is expected to boost both Alvarez and the team, as the pair have already shown promising chemistry in recent matches.

Ultimately, for Alvarez to remain fully satisfied at Atletico, the club must demonstrate that they can defeat top-level teams like Arsenal and continue to compete for trophies on Europe’s biggest stages.

Julian Alvarez Shines at Atletico Madrid as Champions League Test Looms

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