Best Quotes from Julián Álvarez's Atlético Madrid Presentation
Julián Álvarez gave his first statements with the Spanish team just days before his LaLiga debut against Villarreal.
The Argentine striker, a new signing for Atlético Madrid from Manchester City, emphasized that the entire squad will do everything possible to take the club "to the top."
"I feel like the team has many important players. I think we’re all going to help to keep Atlético Madrid at the top," said the forward on Friday during his official presentation after signing with the Madrid club until 2030.
The 24-year-old, who is a World Cup champion and two-time Copa América winner with Argentina, joined Atlético for a reported fee of €75 million ($81.7 million) plus €20 million in variables from Manchester City. He leaves the English club after playing 103 matches and scoring 36 goals since arriving in early 2022 from River Plate.
Álvarez, who expressed being "very happy and excited" and feeling "the fans' affection from the first moment," emphasized that his goals are to achieve his "best version and grow as a person to help the team win," and revealed one of the key reasons for his transfer.
"I felt like I needed a change in my career and a new challenge. I feel like this club gives me the space and tools to reach my best as a footballer," said the striker, who highlighted the importance of his teammates and Diego Pablo Simeone, the team’s coach, in making his decision.
"I’ve talked to some of my teammates like Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina, who sent me messages during this time. I was with Giuliano at the Olympics, and I also spoke with Cholo. He told me to come, that I’d help the team and they’d help me improve my skills. It was a challenge for me, and I’m very excited to meet a coach like him, with everything he means to the club and world football," he added, admitting that ‘Cholo’ hasn’t set any goal-scoring targets for him.
The player, who is eager to play at the Cívitas Metropolitano, mentioned that he doesn’t see himself as a "superhero" despite winning the Champions League with Manchester City and the World Cup with Argentina (Qatar 2022). He also expressed his happiness with the excitement he’s generated among the fans.
"From the first moment, even before it was official, people showed me their love and support. When I arrived in the city, the fans' support made me very happy, and I’m very grateful," Álvarez said, emphasizing that he’s always ready to play "in any position" and that as long as he’s on the field helping the team, he’ll be "happy."
Regarding his physical condition after a long season and a summer where he played in the Copa América and later the Paris Olympics with Argentina, the player said, "From the moment I arrived at the club, I’ve been doing specific training to get back to 100% as soon as possible," noted the Argentine, who could make his debut this Monday in the match against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica in the first round of the league championship.