Julián Álvarez's Discoverer Speaks Out About Real Madrid and His Future

One of the big names in LaLiga since his arrival at Atlético de Madrid is Julián Álvarez. The Argentine footballer left River Plate heading to Manchester City, where he was always a second option behind Erling Haaland. The Argentine striker briefly trained at La Fábrica but had to return to his home country, where he completed his soccer training in the youth academy of the millonario team.

His departure from the sky blue entity occurred last summer, tired of not having many opportunities and not enjoying as many starts as he would have liked. Thus, he joined Atlético de Madrid where 'Cholo' Simeone has perfectly understood his demands and virtues. The '19' rojiblanco is one of the best soccer arguments of the Spanish capital team.

But that comfortable situation in the rojiblanca sports discipline is due to a decision made by Julián Álvarez himself, rejecting past approaches from Real Madrid in the transfer market. Piero Foglia, his discoverer and one of his first coaches, has been very candid about that turning point in the young Atlético de Madrid striker's career. "Madrid was looking for talents in South America", recalls Foglia, who quickly realized that "he was skillful, fast, hit the ball very well, and had a lot of personality".

That's why, "we traveled to Spain and they tested him in a tournament in Peralada where he performed in the best possible way". Real Madrid's sports management quickly realized that Julián Álvarez showed fantastic competitive projections, so they decided on his signing. "The analysis was that he was still too young to face the reality of uprooting", notes Foglia.

Very Marked Path

That was the main argument that served to reject the white club. Julián Álvarez returned to Argentina until River Plate's scouts realized his great talent. Being in the same country, Julián Álvarez's inner circle accepted the move to the millonaria academy.

"Madrid also behaved very well, it was not invasive knowing that he was a child of that age. But the important thing is that Julián has this reality today" at Atlético de Madrid, says Piero Foglia. The discoverer of Julián Álvarez, thus, considers that the Álvarez family's decision was "correct".

Without that determination, the '19' of Atlético de Madrid would not now be among 'Cholo' Simeone's drafts for the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Foglia believes that Julián Álvarez is destined to achieve success and great competitive greatness in his new stage in Spain... to the point that he sees him lifting the 'Orejona' with the rojiblanco club.

Julián Álvarez is one of the great footballers of the European elite. Real Madrid has always had a certain 'weakness' for the Argentine forward and even reportedly tried to sign him recently according to some rumors. His departure from River Plate at 18 years old was the ideal moment to make that return to the white club a reality, but Manchester City arrived first with a better offer.