Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has moved to clear up controversy over his reaction to being taken off last week. The Argentina international was seen looking upset on the bench during their 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca, after missing a penalty and then being taken off just after the hour-mark.
Alvarez then made headlines for appearing to say ‘It’s always me’, which many interpreted as a complaint of Diego Simeone’s substitution policy. Any tension was certainly released in an emphatic manner against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night, as Alvarez scored a hat-trick, including a stunning winner with three minutes to go. Speaking to LaLigaTV after the game, as covered by Marca, Alvarez said that things had not been going their way.
“We needed to get three points and gain confidence by winning. We were playing well, but small things weren’t giving us the results. We have to keep working hard to keep this winning streak going.”
WHAT A PHOTO. pic.twitter.com/UrxxPx3wty
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) September 24, 2025
Julian Alvarez denies Diego Simeone complaint
Ahead of and after their clash with Rayo, Simeone had tried to cool the matter, by stating that Alvarez was his best player, and that they were in need of him. Alvarez explained the incident away though.
“It’s part of football. Sometimes you have to make mistakes, sometimes you have to score. You have to work to help the team and improve every day,” he said following his dramatic personal turnaround in four days.
“The words they said… The lip reading they did on me had nothing to do with what I’d said. I swore and he was mad at me, to be honest. This always happens with social media, but it’s all good. Let’s keep improving so we don’t lose any points along the way.”
Alvarez looks ahead to Madrid derby
There will be no let up for Los Colchoneros though, as they face Real Madrid on Saturday afernoon after a taxing win over Rayo.
“We need to rest and think about the home game we’re going to play with our fans. It’s going to be a great show, and we’ll give everything we have to take the three points.”
I have never been a Real Madrid fan since I discovered Spanish 1st Division futbol in 1973, as a young 20 year old American, U.S. Marine, stationed at Marine Barracks Rota Spain.
I began playing on base, for the Marine side, with a real Spanish coach that taught, as be he could, American athletes (the finer points of Spanish football) who knew only American football, basketball and baseball.
I was enthralled with the beauty of the game I saw on TV (beautiful, manicured green grass and the skill with which the Spanish players controlled the ball without using their hands which is what is so different between futbol and the American sports.)
I also followed 3rd division side Rota in the newly constructed Campo de Feria, just outside of town. I didn’t miss a game. My first love was a pitiful losing side called Barcelona, who brought in my all-time favorite player Johann Cruyff, who turned around the azul y grana and won the league.
The 1974 World Cup revealed one of the greatest teams ever, the Orange Holland Total Futbol side led by Cruyff. The next year Barca brought Cruyff’s fellow World Cup teammate Johann Neeskens to Barcelona to provide a strong side against eventual champion Real Madrid.
But when it came to the MADRID Derby, I was always an Atletico Madrid fan. (Maybe because they wore the red, white and blue of the United States’ flag and were always considered the under dog)
Bottom line, after marrying a Rotena Andalucian girl 50 years ago, I am a die hard Real Betis fan, “monque pierda!” We spend several months a year living in Rota Spain and enjoying the great lifestyle of Spain.
There is no doubt Real Madrid has earned the title as the best in Spain because of their astute business practices, sound and patient financial deals and of course, they reside in the post Spanish Civil War capital of Madrid, which many Barcelona fans hate . . . but that is what makes that rivalry so interesting and heated.