The 26-year-old's future has been a topic of discussion, with the player trying to negotiate his exit from the Spanish club. This latest development suggests that Álvarez may not be a part of the team's plans for the upcoming La Liga season. However, it's worth noting that Simeone has also left out other players, including Marcos Llorente, Álex Baena, and Juan Musso, who returned to training later than the rest of the squad after participating in the 2026 World Cup.
The absence of Álvarez from the squad for the final pre-season friendly is likely a sign that the club is not counting on him for the start of the season. According to Olé, the plan is for Álvarez to return to the first team during La Liga, but it's unclear if he will be ready for the opening match against Málaga on August 19.
Meanwhile, Barcelona continues to pursue Álvarez as one of their top transfer targets, but the club's efforts to sign him have been hindered by the player's desire to leave Atlético Madrid. As a result, the Catalan club is exploring alternative options to strengthen their attack, with Colombian striker Luis Suárez emerging as a potential candidate. Suárez, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, has been linked to Barcelona in recent weeks and has been offered by his agent, Fali Ramadani, after playing for Colombia at the 2026 World Cup.
The uncertainty surrounding Álvarez's future at Atlético Madrid is likely to continue until the transfer window closes, but one thing is clear: the player's absence from the squad for the final pre-season friendly is a sign that his situation is far from resolved.