Simeone welcomes Alvarez apology after failed Barcelona move

Atletico de Madrid manager Diego Simeone has praised Julian Alvarez for apologising to the club’s supporters after his comments about wanting to join FC Barcelona.

The striker issued the apology this week after scoring the winning goal in Atletico’s 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna. His remarks had angered fans after he expressed a desire to fulfil his ambition of playing for Barcelona during the World Cup.

Alvarez had been determined to force through a move, but the transfer was blocked by the club. He has since acknowledged that decision and accepted responsibility for the timing and manner of what he said.

“I wanted to apologise to our fans for my words during the World Cup. It was a mistake on my part, both in the way I said it and the timing,” he stated.

“I understand why the fans are angry. If I were a fan, I would have been angry too.”

The comments led to Alvarez being booed and jeered by Atletico supporters at the start of the campaign. Simeone said the forward’s decision to ask for forgiveness demonstrated the right attitude as the season progresses.

“I value very much the moment of asking for forgiveness because it is not easy,” Simeone said, as quoted by Marca.

“Julian is a humble, hard-working boy who loves his teammates, and I appreciate his apology because it positions him in the place that he is. I am not here to judge whether it was right or wrong. Life develops and I appreciate this. It is welcome.”

Simeone was also impressed by Alvarez’s performance against Deportivo La Coruna, with the forward’s goal celebrated by the supporters as if it had been scored by the team collectively.

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

The result was particularly satisfying for Simeone, who drew a comparison with Alvarez’s previous display in Stuttgart.

“I am very happy with the result and thank God Julian was like he was in Stuttgart to give us three points today,” he said.

The former Manchester City striker was also strongly linked with Arsenal. Those reports could return to prominence when the January transfer window approaches.