“I don’t like talking about them since my premature Exist for Pep’s wrong Preference’, it’s obvious they regret letting me go”- Julian Alvarez reveals ONE of his Exceptional quality Pep failed to utilize which he he intends to use propel ATM to UCL title

The Champions League returns this week, bringing with it the excitement, drama, and tension that define Europe’s elite club competition. But while defending champions Manchester City are left watching from the sidelines after falling short of qualification, one of their former players will be front and center in a marquee showdown. Julián Álvarez, once a promising but often overlooked figure at the Etihad, has the chance to step into the spotlight as he leads Atlético Madrid in a high-stakes clash against Real Madrid.
Álvarez’s summer departure from City was driven by his desire for more playing time in the biggest matches. Despite his talent and contributions, the Argentine forward frequently found himself overshadowed by Erling Haaland in Guardiola’s system. Even as City stormed to a historic treble in 2023, Álvarez had a limited role in their most crucial moments. He was restricted to just a one-minute cameo in the Champions League semi-final victory over Real Madrid and remained an unused substitute in the final against Inter Milan. For a player with his ambition and quality, that lack of involvement in the defining matches of City’s campaign was a frustrating reality.
As City now face a battle to reclaim their place in next season’s competition, Álvarez is targeting a deep run with Atlético Madrid, eager to prove he belongs at the highest level. However, to keep their European dream alive, Atlético must accomplish something even Guardiola’s all-conquering City side failed to do last season—eliminate Real Madrid. The Madrid derby is one of the most anticipated ties of the Champions League round of 16, and Álvarez is set to play a pivotal role when Atlético travel to the Santiago Bernabéu for Tuesday night’s first leg.
The Argentine forward has already shown he can make an impact against Real Madrid, scoring in last month’s 1-1 league draw at the Metropolitano. But the stakes are even higher now. Atlético’s hopes of progressing rest heavily on his shoulders, and this is exactly the kind of challenge he craved when he decided to leave City. After spending two seasons as Haaland’s understudy, Álvarez is finally relishing the opportunity to be the main man in a major European clash.
Reflecting on his decision to leave Manchester, Álvarez admitted that his lack of involvement in City’s key Champions League matches played a significant role in his move to Atlético. Speaking to Marca this week, he expressed his frustration at being a spectator rather than a protagonist on the biggest stage:
“You always want to play in the most important matches. I didn’t get to play the Champions League final in 2023, and in the semi-final against Real Madrid, I was on the pitch for just a minute. Of course, I would have loved to be more involved. That was part of the reason I started thinking about making a change.”
Despite his frustrations, Álvarez looks back on his time at City with immense gratitude. He acknowledges that the club played a crucial role in his development, providing him with the platform to transition from South American football to the European elite.
“At City, since the moment I arrived, they trusted me. They brought me from River Plate to Europe, gave me opportunities, and I played many matches. I scored goals, won titles, and was part of a historic team. It was a perfect experience. If I had stayed, I know I would have been comfortable. I always say that I am incredibly grateful to the club.”
However, despite City’s success, something inside Álvarez told him it was time for a new challenge. It wasn’t about dissatisfaction or lack of ambition—rather, it was a personal feeling that he needed a different environment to grow further.
“I needed something. Something inside me told me I had to seek a new challenge. It wasn’t about motivation, because I will always have the drive to push myself. But I felt that I needed something else—a new experience, a different challenge in my career. And I believed that Atlético Madrid could be the right place for me to develop further and find my best version as a footballer.”
His decision to leave was met with mutual understanding and respect from Guardiola and the City hierarchy. There was no bitterness, no controversy—just a shared appreciation for what they had achieved together.
“The last conversations I had with Pep were filled with gratitude. He told me, ‘Thank you for everything you gave us in these two years. You never caused problems, you always gave your best.’ There were no complaints, no issues—just words of appreciation. And I felt the same way. I will always be grateful to City for what they gave me.”
Now, with his City chapter behind him, Álvarez has the perfect opportunity to show the world—and perhaps his former club—what he is capable of as a leading man. His decision to leave Manchester was a bold one, but if he can help Atlético Madrid get past Real Madrid and mount a serious challenge for the Champions League, it will be fully vindicated.
Tuesday night at the Bernabéu will be the ultimate test. The pressure is immense, the opposition formidable, but Álvarez finally has what he wanted—center stage in Europe’s biggest competition. Now, it’s up to him to seize the moment.