Simeone backs ‘humble’ Julian Alvarez after the striker apologizes to fans

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has praised Julian Alvarez for his humility and character after the Argentine striker publicly apologized to the club’s supporters following their 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna. 

The forward’s apology came amid tensions over his earlier comments about a potential move to Barcelona, which had unsettled parts of the Atletico fanbase.

Simeone welcomed Alvarez’s decision to address the situation, describing him as a hardworking player who values his teammates. 

The Atletico boss said he appreciated the striker’s willingness to apologize, stressing that publicly admitting a mistake or seeking forgiveness was not easy.

“I value the moment of asking for forgiveness because it is not easy. Julian is a humble, hard-working boy who loves his teammates, and I appreciate his apology,” Simeone said. 

He added that he was not interested in judging whether Alvarez’s earlier comments were right or wrong, but welcomed his latest gesture.

The disagreement reportedly began during the 2026 World Cup, when Alvarez spoke about his dream of playing for Barcelona. 

His comments fuelled speculation about his future and contributed to a strained relationship with Atletico supporters, with the striker subjected to boos during some of the club’s early home matches this season.

However, Alvarez’s decisive contribution against Deportivo appeared to help repair the relationship. 

His performance earned him an ovation from large sections of the Metropolitano crowd, while Simeone praised his display and highlighted the importance of having the forward performing at his best.

“He had a fantastic game; the fans celebrated his goal like they do a team goal, and Julián played brilliantly, just like the other day in the Champions League. We need Julián in this form,” the Atletico manager said.

The victory strengthened Atletico’s position in the La Liga title race, leaving them two points behind leaders Barcelona, according to the report. 

Alvarez has also enjoyed an encouraging run of form, scoring two goals and providing an assist in his previous three appearances as the Madrid side continue their push for success.

Despite securing all three points, Simeone admitted Atletico struggled to control the contest against Deportivo and failed to produce the performance they had planned. 

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