Valdano warns Julián Álvarez could poison Atlético’s locker room

Julián Álvarez, the Argentine striker of Atlético de Madrid, has missed three consecutive training sessions, prompting former player and coach Jorge Valdano to warn that the forward could poison both the dressing‑room and the stadium, while the club reportedly values him at more than €150 million.

The story was first reported by Kiko Huesca and EFEChema G., whose byline appears under the headline ‘FuentePeriodista’. La situación de Julián Álvarez sigue dando mucho de qué hablar, extending beyond Atlético’s own environment to the wider football world.

Internal tension and dressing‑room risk

Valdano, a 1986 Mundial champion with Argentina, said, “El Atlético se queda con un problema, un jugador que, de una manera involuntaria, va a envenenar el vestuario y el estadio, las dos cosas.” He described the scenario as very uncomfortable for the club.

He added that he believes in Julián’s nobility, noting the player gives his all in every match. Valdano stressed there is no doubt about his professionalism and quality, but warned that many goals and many words are needed to resolve the situation.

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According to Valdano, the handling of the episode by the player and his entourage has been poor. He claimed the striker “cometió un error en el camino, muy posiblemente mal aconsejado” and that correcting that mistake will not be easy.

Market reality and Barcelona exclusion

Valdano also ruled out Barcelona as a realistic destination, calling the club a “territorio vedado” for Álvarez. He defended Atlético’s asking price of over €150 million, arguing that the market contains more money than talent and that any mediocre player commands a fortune.

Despite the internal drama, Valdano praised Atlético’s squad depth, saying the team has the quality to compete at the highest level. He recalled the club’s recent Champions League run, which progressed to the final stages last season, and expressed confidence in its ability to achieve great things this campaign.

The juxtaposition of a potentially toxic locker‑room atmosphere with a roster capable of European success highlights the club’s dual challenge. How Atlético navigates the personal issue while maintaining its competitive ambitions will shape the narrative of the coming months.