Diego Simeone visits Barcelona target during Argentina’s World Cup camp

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·3 Juli 2026

Diego Simeone visits Barcelona target during Argentina’s World Cup camp

The saga linking FC Barcelona with the Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has significantly intensified in the last few days. Some of the developments that have taken place in this regard recently include the Colchoneros filing a case against the Blaugranes at FIFA and Joan Laporta publicly asking Atletico to reconsider their stance regarding the player.

While these two clubs continue with their back and forth offensives, the player himself, after making his desires clear about a departure from the Madrid club, has remained focused on his Argentine national team, with which he is competing for the World Cup 2026.

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For now, he is training for his next match in this competition, against Cape Verde in the Round of 32. While training for this match, he received a visitor, and this meeting could have significant implications for his future.

This visitor was none other than his coach at Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, and as SPORT has reported, the manager also talked to ESPN after this rendezvous. The Colchonero coach was quite confident that the matter involving Alvarez and Barcelona would be resolved soon:

“The only thing Julián should be thinking about right now is Argentina’s match against Cape Verde. He has to focus on that and not think about anything else. It’s difficult because there’s a lot being said, but he shouldn’t pay attention to it. What I do know is that things will be resolved, just as everything in life eventually gets resolved.”

Simeone also revealed his reason to visit the Argentine training camp:

“I came to the training camp to see Giuliano, and I had the chance to speak with Julián for a while. I mainly asked him about how he was doing and how his ankle was. We also talked about how important he is to Argentina. He told me he’s doing very well now, back to 100 percent. In the last match he wasn’t quite as sharp as he usually is, but he’s regained much of his rhythm and is playing with intensity again.”

The Atletico Madrid coach spoke very highly of Julian Alvarez:

“He’s an extraordinary player. The best footballer we have at Atlético. The numbers speak for themselves—they’re outstanding. He’s had great consistency and has brought qualities to the team that show he’s a different kind of player. We’re very happy with him and with his performances.”

“Julián has always conducted himself well, both as a person and as a professional. I can’t say anything more than that. He’s always worked for the team, and I hope he can show his quality with the national team. He has given Atlético an attacking presence that is very difficult to find in any player today. His work as a second striker is spectacular, and he formed a great partnership with Griezmann. We’re very happy with everything he brings because he’s a fantastic footballer.”

For now, it is not known how the meeting between the coach and the player went, and what they talked about in this conversation. However, this could prove to be a significant development in the whole Julian Alvarez saga, irrespective of whether he ends up staying or leaving.

Any conclusive development in this story is expected only to come up after the World Cup, when Barcelona are expected to launch a full-scale operation for their desired forward. But for now, Alvarez would have to continue focusing on his performances with Argentina, as he would be crucial if the Albiceleste are to successfully defend their World Cup title.