New Official Photo Goes Viral
In the last few hours, Atlético Madrid released the official team photos for the 2026-27 season, and the one featuring Julián Álvarez quickly became a trending topic. The Argentine forward, who had desperately sought a transfer to Barcelona during the summer transfer window, appeared with a somber and almost melancholic look in the official portrait, triggering a flood of memes on social media.
Comments like "He's in prison," "My face when I'm denied vacation," and "Mandatory ID photo" flooded X (formerly Twitter). The contrast with his beaming smile and excitement in his first photos as an Atlético player in 2024 did not go unnoticed by fans.
"Julian Alvarez's photo with Atlético for this season has sparked a meme frenzy"
Simeone's Short Response to Fan Insults
The discontent among the 'Colchoneros' supporters was evident during the league debut against Málaga, which ended in a home victory 2-0. A section of the crowd directed hostile chants at the Argentine striker, who was absent from the squad due to a technical decision. When asked about those insults in a press conference, Diego Simeone replied with a brief and deliberate phrase: "Very respectful of our people", before turning his head to listen to the next question.
When questioned about whether Álvarez and other World Cup winners would be available for Sunday's match against Villarreal, Simeone responded succinctly: "I don't know", and walked out.
A Summer Soap Opera with an Uncertain End
The context is important. Álvarez had informed the club of his desire to leave to "fulfill his dream" of playing for Barcelona. The Catalan club made a formal offer, confirmed by president Joan Laporta, while Real Madrid also tried their luck with a proposal of €150 million. Atlético's CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, rejected both offers and was blunt: "We wouldn't accept even €200 million".
In this scenario, Simeone and Álvarez held a face-to-face meeting last week, according to ESPN, where the coach assured him he would be treated as a central piece of the team as long as he remains at the club. The transfer window closes on September 1.
The Match: Luxury Goals and a Colchonero Triumph
Beyond the off-field noise, Atlético showed quality at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The first half ended goalless, with Jan Oblak as the standout player after making two dangerous saves against the newly promoted visitors, who put up a strong fight.
In the second half, substitutions transformed the game. At 70 minutes, South Korean Kang-in Lee received the ball on the edge of the box, cut inside, and curled a left-footed shot into the top corner. Five minutes before full time, Álex Baena sealed the win with a free kick from 25 meters that went in off the angle.
"It would be unfair to pick just one; both were spectacular goals," Simeone said about the strikes. The coach also praised Baena and dismissed any notion of him being a successor to Antoine Griezmann: "I'm not looking for someone similar to Griezmann, absolutely not. Everyone is different."
With this victory, Simeone extended his record in league debuts to just one defeat in 15 seasons at the helm of Atlético, with 8 wins and 6 draws.
Match Details
- Atlético Madrid 2 - Málaga 0
- Goals: Kang-in Lee (70'), Álex Baena (85')
- Date: August 19, 2026
- Stadium: Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Sources: Infobae, TN, Olé.