Julian Alvarez Misses Atletico Madrid Training Amidst Reported Mental Health Concerns

Last Updated:August 28, 2026, 7:46 PM IST

Julian Alvarez misses Atletico Madrid training because of depression amidst Barcelona transfer battle. Atleti CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin speaks out.

Julian Alvarez is reportedly suffering from mental health issues (Picture credit: AFP)

Star Argentine and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has missed training with his club due to depression, according to a report in COPE. He is currently being targeted by Barcelona but is reportedly suffering from severe mental health issues.

Alvarez missed training ahead of Atletico Madrid’s away clash against Sevilla on Saturday night and, as a result, will not feature at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Alvarez is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, with the Catalan club viewing him as their top target to succeed Robert Lewandowski as their No. 9.

Reports from Argentina in early June claimed that Alvarez had agreed to a five-year contract with Barcelona.

Yet Atleti are unwilling to negotiate with the reigning La Liga champions and are instead attempting to steer Alvarez towards Arsenal, according to reports. The Argentine was booed by Atletico fans at the Metropolitano during their season opener against Villarreal, suggesting a growing disconnect between him and the Madrid club’s supporters.

After Barcelona president Joan Laporta took the unusual step of using the club’s official channels to express interest in Alvarez, Atletico Madrid hit back via MARKclaiming the Blaugrana have ‘0% chance’ of signing their target, while also issuing an official statement.

On Thursday, Atleti CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin said that Alvarez was doing ‘really badly ‘, claiming that certain people had been responsible for ‘deceiving and confusing him’.

“And I am very sorry, because I know him, we have been working with him for a long time. He is a great person, a great professional and a great footballer, [who is] completely confused and right now going through a very, very difficult situation, on a personal and professional level,” Marin said while speaking to the media at the Champions League draw.

While it would be wrong to make assumptions about something as serious as mental health, Alvarez’s current predicament could be taking a toll on him. He appears determined to pursue his ‘dream’, as he described it during the FIFA World Cup, of joining Barcelona, with just five days remaining in the summer transfer window.

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Will Julian Alvarez join Barcelona this transfer window?

It is unlikely Julian Alvarez will join Barcelona this transfer window, as Atletico Madrid has stated Barcelona has “0% chance” of signing him and has rejected a €150 million bid from Real Madrid, insisting on his €500 million release clause. Barcelona views Alvarez as their top target to succeed Robert Lewandowski.

What is the future for Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid?

Julian Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid is uncertain as he has expressed a desire to leave the club to “fulfil his dream”. He is currently a target for Barcelona, who view him as a successor to Robert Lewandowski.

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