The 25-year-old has had an explosive start to the 2025/26 season, scoring six times in seven matches, building on a remarkable debut year where he made 37 appearances, registering 17 goals and four assists. As reported by Softfootball, his recent hat-trick in a Madrid derby has further solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s most proficient strikers.
<p.Guardiola, in an interview shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account before Manchester City’s upcoming match, expressed both pride and understanding regarding Álvarez’s exit:
Julián Álvarez is top. That’s why now he’s at one of the best clubs in the world, Atleti, playing for a top-class manager and performing unbelievably. Maybe I’d love to have him, but I understand why he left.
<p.Guardiola noted that Álvarez’s choice was influenced by a need for consistent playing time, which was challenging to guarantee with Erling Haaland as the focal point of City’s attack. He elaborated:
He was very determined to leave because he wanted to play all the minutes he has now.
Despite the separation, Guardiola conveyed a strong sense of affection for the World Cup winner, recalling his significant contributions during City’s treble-winning season and Club World Cup victory. He remarked:
He helped us achieve something unique… seeing him succeed now makes us proud. He’s incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour.
Álvarez’s journey from a role at City to becoming a key player at Atlético illustrates that sometimes, stepping back can lead to new opportunities.
