How to watch Champions League: Live streams, TV channels and latest fixtures for 2026/27 season schedule originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The return of the UEFA Champions League has fans anticipating a thrilling competition from start to finish, as the most prestigious knockout soccer tournament in the world soldiers on seeking to crown a new champion for the 2026/27 season.
Two-time defending ***** le-holders Paris Saint-Germain are now looking to become just the third club ever to win three consecutive European championships.
They will look to hold off last year's finalists ***** nal as well as fellow Premier League giants Man City and Liverpool. Other top contenders include Real Madrid helmed by Champions League icon Jose Mourinho, their Clasico rivals Barcelona, German giants Bayern Munich, and many other massive European brands.
All roads lead to the final on June 5, 2027 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

#live

In a recent report, journalist Mark Brus mentioned that Manchester City are locked in a three-way battle for Atletico Madrid winger Alex Baena. It is believed that the Mancunian giants would have to rival Newcastle United and Aston Villa in the race to land the Spanish wide player.
Baena has made an excellent start to this campaign as he put in a few productive displays for Atletico Madrid in the final third. The 25-year-old has scored three goals and grabbed one ***** ist in three appearances for Diego Simeone's side in the league.
The Spanish talent is currently among the most talented wingers in La Liga. Hence, Man City would do well to lure him to the Etihad Stadium next year.
His current contract at the Madrid club will run out in the summer of 2030, which could make it tough for the Mancunian giants to snap him up on the cheap this January or at the end of the campaign.
MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 19: Alex Baena of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Atletico de Madrid and Malaga CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on August 19, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

#baena #three #city #mancunian

Julián Álvarez ended the summer window still on Atlético Madrid's books, but that outcome has settled almost nothing. Barcelona spent the entire market chasing the Argentine, Atlético publicly rejected the pursuit in increasingly hostile terms, and ******* nal explored an offer of their own while the whole thing threatened to boil over. The question now isn't whether the saga is over – it plainly isn't – but which of the three forces at play, Atlético's contractual leverage, Barcelona's valuation, or Álvarez's own stated preference, actually decides what happens next.
Álvarez himself gave the clearest signal of intent back in June, telling ESPN after Argentina's World Cup win over Austria that a transfer to Barcelona was the best thing for everyone and that he wanted to fulfil his dream. Those words were music to Joan Laporta's ears and poison to Atlético's dressing room. Everything that has followed, including deadline day passing without a deal, sits downstream of that one public admission.
Álvarez's Atlético contract runs until June 2030 and carries a release clause of around €500 million – a figure so far beyond market reality that it functions purely as leverage, not a genuine asking price. Barcelona say they made a €100 million bid; Atlético sources initially denied receiving any offer at all before later confirming one had arrived, structured across six yearly instalments and worth that same €100 million.
On July 30, with the dispute already curdling, Atlético reported Barcelona to the Spanish Football Federation over their pursuit of the player. No public update from the federation had followed by the time The Athletic's reconstruction of the saga was published. Álvarez remained at the Metropolitano when the window shut, and reports suggest he is expected to stay at Atlético at least until the January window reopens the conversation.
Before the summer even began, senior Atlético sources indicated the club would let Álvarez leave for €150 million provided a deal closed by July 20. That deadline passed with no agreement, and Atlético's position hardened dramatically. By late June, chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín was drawing a line that had nothing to do with valuation gaps.

#window #federation #summer #nothing

Atlético Madrid privately gave Julián Álvarez written permission to discuss a move to Barcelona, according to El Chiringuito TV. Journalist Jordi Jota claims to have personally seen the document, a detail that sits awkwardly alongside Atlético's public insistence throughout the summer that Álvarez would not be sold to a direct La Liga rival.
It is worth being precise about what is being alleged here. The claim, as Football España detail, is that Atlético authorised Álvarez to negotiate or discuss a Barcelona transfer, not that the club had agreed to sell him or that he was granted unconditional consent to join. That distinction matters given how far apart the two positions otherwise appear.
Álvarez has been central to Atlético's attack since arriving from Manchester City in 2024, racking up 49 goals and 17 ****** ists in 107 appearances across competitions. He remains under contract at the Metropolitano until 2030, yet his desire for a fresh challenge has dominated this summer's transfer uncertainty, with Barcelona repeatedly cited as his preferred destination.
That backdrop is also why the earlier RFEF disciplinary question over an alleged unauthorised Barcelona approach carries weight now. If Atlético did put written permission on record, it complicates the narrative that any Barça contact was improper from the outset.
MARCA report that Barcelona's roughly €100 million offer for Álvarez fell short of Atlético's valuation, a figure that has not been independently confirmed beyond that outlet's reporting. Given the scale of the numbers being discussed, it is easy to see why Atlético's board would want any concession to Barcelona handled quietly rather than announced.

#Barcelona #lvarez #written

Another chapter has opened in the 'Julian Alvarez case'.
Following the public exchange between Atleti CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin and Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste after the Champions League draw, Los Colchoneros manager Diego Simeone faced the media today ahead of their match against Sevilla.
The coach once again gave his view on the summer's biggest transfer saga, involving Alvarez, Barcelona, and Atletico.
Speaking to the media, Simeone confirmed that Alvarez will miss the match after sitting out the last three training sessions, but he remained optimistic when asked whether the striker's situation could eventually be turned around at the Metropolitano.
"I understand that all the questions are going to be about what is happening with Julian. The club was very firm and clear in what it explained," Simeone explained, as quoted by SPORT.

#alvarez #Media #explained #miguel

This photograph shows the UEFA Champions League trophy before the draw ceremony for the league phase of the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League football tournament at the Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco on August 27, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw was completed Thursday in Monaco, setting up a schedule loaded with heavyweight matchups as teams look to take the trophy that Paris Saint-Germain won against ****** nal in Budapest in May.
The league phase kicks off with Matchday 1 on September 8-10 and runs through January, before the knockout rounds lead to the final on June 5 at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, home of Spanish club Atlético Madrid.
In the United States, CBS Sports holds the exclusive English-language rights to the tournament as part of an agreement that runs through the 2029-30 season, with Paramount+ streaming every match.
In parallel, TelevisaUnivision carries the Spanish-language rights until the end of this current season across Univision, UniMás and TUDN, also available to stream on ViX.

#madrid

Holders Paris Saint-Germain will host Spanish ***** leholders Barcelona and visit Manchester City among their eight Champions League games this season, while Bayern Munich welcome ***** nal but go to Atlético Madrid and Manchester United in their list of fixtures.
The league phase draw carried out by former stars Thierry Henry and David Villa in Monaco on Thursday also paired record winners Real Madrid with English ***** leholders ***** nal, Italian champions Inter Milan, RB Leipzig and Austrian debutants LASK in some of their eight matches.
The dates and order of the fixtures will be worked out in the coming days for the 36-strong league phase where each team plays a partly random selection of eight games based on seedings and other factors. The first league games will be September 8-10 and the last will be on January 27.
The knock-out stage then ensues, culminating in the final at Atlético's Metropolitano in Madrid on June 5.
Como of Italy have a dream date with twice defending champions PSG as well coach Cesc Fàbregas' former side Barça and United, while fellow tournament newcomers Viking of Norway entertain Bundesliga champions Bayern, who also meet Real Betis, Lille, Slavia Prague and Bodø/Glimt.

#games #real

French former football player Thierry Henry shows the paper slip of Real Madrid CF (ESP) during the draw ceremony for the league phase of the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League football tournament at the Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco on August 27, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid learned their opponents for the 2026/27 Champions League league phase on Thursday, as UEFA held this season's draw in Geneva. Under the competition's Swiss-style format, now in its third year, Real Madrid will play eight league-phase matches, four at home and four away, against sides drawn from four seeding pots rather than the old group of four.
This year's draw pairs Real Madrid with Inter Milan and ******* nal from Pot One, PSV Eindhoven and Roma from Pot Two, Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk from Pot Three, and LASK and AEK Athens from Pot Four. It is a mix of old rivals and near strangers, given that ******* nal beat Real Madrid out of the quarter-finals only two years ago, Roma once knocked them out under coach José Mourinho's old adversaries, and LASK have never faced them at all.
Real Madrid go into the campaign looking to bounce back from a run of three quarter-final exits in four seasons, sandwiched around their 15th European Cup in 2023/24. The league phase runs from September through January, with matchday dates and kick-off times still to be confirmed by UEFA, before the knockout rounds begin in February and build toward the final at Madrid's own Estadio Metropolitano next June.
Pot one of the draw brings the heaviest company, Inter Milan at home and ******* nal away. Real Madrid's record against Inter is one of the most one-sided in the competition, eight wins from nine home meetings and four straight victories in their recent run. ******* nal is a different proposition. The two clubs have met just twice, back in 2005/06, before colliding again in the 2024-25 quarter-finals, when ******* nal won 5-1 on aggregate and hold the head-to-head edge from all three meetings.

#madrid #league #arsenal

Former Manchester United defender Willy Kambwala has officially joined Serie A side Como on loan with an option to buy from Villarreal, the clubs have confirmed on Wednesday morning.
"Como is pleased to announce the signing of central defender Willy Kambwala from Villarreal CF on loan until the end of the 2026/27 season, with an option to make the move permanent," read a statement on the Como website.
Reports in Italy indicate that Como will have an option to make Kamwala's transfer permanent at a cost of €10m and that he will sign a contract until the summer of 2031 in the event that his move is extended.
MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 25: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid and Willy Kambwala of Villarreal CF compete for a header during the La Liga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on January 25, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
"I'm extremely happy to be here, at this great club and in this beautiful city," said Kambwala upon his signing for Como.

#option #january #atletico #defender

Atlético Madrid star Julián Alvarez has early this week dropped a fresh hint regarding his eagerness to take his talents to La Liga rivals Barcelona before the summer is out.
This of course comes fresh off a harrowing evening for the Argentine on Sunday.
Afforded a place on the bench for Atlético's league meeting with Villarreal, Alvarez found himself the target of a heavy and incessant round of boos, whistles and jeers on the part of the Metropolitano crowd.
After the attacker announced his desire to move on earlier this summer, the Rojiblancos faithful made crystal clear that they have not forgiven Alvarez in any way, shape or form.
Safe to say, then, that the 26-year-old's latest activity on social media is unlikely to go down overly well, either…

#madrid #liga #afforded

What happened to Julian Alvarez? Barcelona transfer speculation grows as Atletico Madrid star booed at home originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of the best forwards in Spain, Julian Alvarez is a wanted man, but instead of securing the move he desires, it has only created strife at his current club.
Having spent the last two seasons with La Liga side Atletico Madrid, Alvarez has pushed heavily to join Barcelona this summer, but his desired transfer has not materialized the way he likely had hoped. Instead, it has left him an isolated and disgruntled figure at Atleti, who refuse to cooperate with his intentions.
Thus, when Atletico Madrid opened their 2026-27 season at home against Villarreal on August 23, Alvarez was verbally ***** aulted by the Atleti supporters, creating a tense and hostile situation that must be resolved before the transfer window closes in a week.
The Sporting News explains what happened at the match, where negotiations for a transfer sit, and why Alvarez has pushed so heavily for a move away from the Metropolitano.

#alvarez #madrid #Barcelona #instead

Tension at the Metropolitano after the boos aimed at Julián Álvarez headline a matchday in which FC Barcelona showed overwhelming dominance against Elche, Mourinho stepped in amid the 'Vinicius case', and Ligue 1 witnessed Ferran Torres' instant resurrection in Paris. On top of that, the transfer market is delivering dramatic twists just days before the deadline.
The atmosphere among the Atlético faithful is reaching boiling point. Atlético de Madrid fans showed strong disapproval toward Julián Álvarez after he made clear his intention to leave the club. After the final whistle against Villarreal, boos echoed around the stands, and the forward headed alone to the dressing room by decision of the club hierarchy to avoid further incidents.
The reigning champion kicked off LaLiga by laying down the law with an emphatic 0-5 win. In a brilliant attacking display, Raphinha and Fermín led the team with a brace each, joined by Adeyemi opening his account as a Barça scorer. A standout cameo from debutant Gordon in just 20 minutes put the finishing touch on an imposing start.
José Mourinho has spoken out after the controversial incidents in Cornellá. The Real Madrid coach publicly defended the Brazilian attacker, taking command within the Madrid dressing room and trying to ease the external pressure once again closing in on his biggest star.
He came, he saw, he conquered. Ferran Torres enjoyed a dream start in Ligue 1, rescuing PSG from the brink against Rennes. After trailing 0-2 at half-time, the Spanish forward took control in an extraordinary second half and scored a crucial brace to level the match.

#lvarez

On a scorching afternoon in Madrid, Atlético de Madrid finally got their first weekend home kickoff of the season, with over 60,000 fans packed into the Metropolitano to welcome the Rojiblancos and properly usher in the new campaign against fellow Champions League side Villarreal.
Two penalties, a red card, and a very complicated homecoming later, Atleti walked away with a point they were truthfully fortunate to get.
Let's dive into the takeaways!
Between the heat and a lineup still finding its feet, this always had the makings of a sluggish start. Several of these players are only just back from a shortened summer, still getting reacquainted, and it showed.
For the opening hour, Atleti dominated the shooting charts on paper, outshooting Villarreal 11 to 6. But only two efforts were on target, and the underlying picture told a very different story. Villarreal had 23 touches in Atleti's box to Atleti's 19 in theirs. The visitors also created three big chances in the first half alone, while Atleti created zero. They even out-passed Atleti, 271 to 217. The Rojiblancos were a team going through the motions of control without really controlling anything.

#still #only #metropolitano #champions

Atletico Madrid is set to face Villarreal in their second La Liga encounter at their home ground on Sunday.
Date: Sunday, 23rd August.
Kick-off: 4pm BST.
Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid.
Diego Simeone faces an intriguing blend of major injury setbacks and exciting personnel returns ahead of today's clash.

#liga #riyadh

Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has provided an update on the status of star attacker Julián Alvarez for the club's next outing. This of course comes amid the ongoing speculation surrounding the name of the Argentine.
Atlético are primed to kick their 2026/27 campaign back into gear on Sunday evening, in a high-profile Gameweek 2 meeting with Villarreal. The Rojiblancos head into the matchup hopeful of making it two wins from two to open the new season in Spain's top-flight.
In the days leading up to the clash, much of the chatter in Spain's capital has continued to center on the situation of the aforementioned Julián Alvarez, who sat out his side's season opener against Málaga.
Alvarez has again been hotly tipped for a Metropolitano exit this week, amid a fresh round of links with Premier League champions ***** nal.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Saturday, the subject of his fellow countryman's status to face Villarreal in 24 hours' time was therefore put to the aforementioned Diego Simeone.

#simeone #juli #head

Atletico Madrid are moving with some urgency in the transfer market, and Nicolas Jackson has emerged as a serious target. According to Marca, Mateu Alemany travelled to London on Thursday in an attempt to push discussions forward for the Chelsea forward, with Atletico seeking attacking help after an injury to Alexander Sorloth and with Julian Alvarez still short of top condition.
This is the sort of deal that makes sense on several levels, even if the mechanics look awkward. Atletico want another forward, Jackson knows Spanish football, and Chelsea have a squad that still feels crowded in key attacking areas. The issue, as ever, is cost. Atletico have already stretched themselves after the Cristian Romero deal, reported as £33 million plus £7 million in variables, so any move for Jackson appears dependent on favourable terms.
That means a loan is the obvious route, with Atletico reportedly hoping Chelsea would cover part of the player's salary. In plain terms, they want quality without paying the full freight. Clubs across Europe are trying the same trick, because the market is inflated and proven attacking players are expensive.
Marca's report places Jackson among the preferred options inside the Metropolitano. There are other names under consideration, but his profile is clear. He has pace, he attacks **** e, and he already showed in Spain that he can trouble defenders at a high level. His rise at Villarreal earned him a move to Chelsea for around £37 million after Bournemouth failed to complete a transfer for him earlier in that season.
Photo IMAGO

#jackson #deal

Barcelona's interest in Julian Alvarez continues to create headlines, with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone forced to address the situation after his side opened their 2026/27 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Malaga.
The Argentine forward did not feature in the match as he continues working towards full match fitness.
However, even in his absence from the pitch, Alvarez remained one of the main talking points around the Metropolitano.
Barcelona's interest in the Atletico star has added further tension to the situation.
While the Catalan club are understood to be exploring different options to strengthen their attack, Alvarez remains one of the names linked with a potential move.

#alvarez #interest #julian

Cristian Romero on Saturday completed his move to Atlético de Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur, after a club-to-club agreement was reached on Wednesday.
Romero on Friday flew to Madrid, underwent his medical and signed his new contract to 2031. The 28-year-old took training for the first time on Saturday, and he could be in the squad Wednesday when Atlético host Malága to begin its 2026/27 campaign. Romero had drawn interest from Inter Milan, FC Barcelona and even Spurs' city rivals ***** nal, once it became clear that the Argentina international would be leaving Tottenham; he said goodbye to Spurs fans in a video posted to social media on Friday.
Sporting director Mateu Alemany has closed this deal for an initial fee of €33 million, according to Marca. The Madrid daily reports that Spurs can receive another €7 million in bonuses. Spurs will retain a 15 percent sell-on clause, per reports in England. The fee is in line with each of the other deals Alemany has concluded this summer, the exception being Alejandro Grimaldo's €20 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Diego Simeone had long courted Romero, a 58-time Argentina international who led Spurs to a Europa League crown in 2025. Atleti attempted to sign him last year, but Spurs slapped an €80 million price tag on Romero and eventually renewed his contract to 2029 while naming him club captain. One summer later, after a turbulent campaign that saw Romero rip club management multiple times, Spurs are moving on — and Simeone is getting his top defensive target at last.
Following a 156-game Spurs career, Romero is expected to be the anchor of a refurbished defense at the Metropolitano. He can line up in a trio alongside Dávid Hancko and Marc Pubill to form a 3-5-2 where Grimaldo and Marcos Llorente would play as wing-backs. He can play in a four-man defense alongside either Hancko or Pubill; the other could slide over to full-back.

#SPURS #club #TOTTENHAM

Juventus have not given up on Alexander Sørloth, with Luciano Spalletti still keen to add the Atlético Madrid striker even after the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani, and a deal that could hinge on the future of Nico González.
According to Tuttosport, Spalletti has long admired Sørloth as the kind of penalty-box target man his system craves, and personally contacted the Norway international to outline his plans.
Talks with Atlético had been opened under the previous regime of Damien Comolli and Marco Ottolini, and Sørloth was said to be enthusiastic about a move to Turin, only for Juventus's boardroom upheaval, Comolli's exit and the arrivals of chief executive Giovanni Carnevali and sporting director Frederic Massara, to slow everything down.
Atlético's valuation of around €40m has been a further obstacle.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Nico Gonzalez of Atletico de Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on September 27, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

#madrid #spain #september #atletico

Bianca Censori gave fans a rare glimpse of her softer side during Kanye West's concert in Madrid, Spain, this week—and it wasn't her outfit that had everyone talking.
After Kanye's performance at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the Australian native was spotted leaving an afterparty wearing a daring black satin mini dress featuring a plunging neckline, an open back, and a detachable skirt wrapped around the hips of a bodysuit. She completed the look with her copper hair styled in loose waves and debuted subtle curtain bangs parted down the middle.
instagram.com/zendonesian
The father of four, meanwhile, opted for an all-black leather ensemble with zippered detailing and oversized flap pockets.
A viral Reddit post from the event showed Bianca smiling as she held a young boy while Kanye performed.

#reddit

Atlético Madrid star Julián Alvarez has been advised by sources close to him to take into consideration issuing a personal apology to his employers.
This comes after the Argentine went public with his desire to depart the Metropolitano amid interest from La Liga rivals Barcelona.
The name of frontman Alvarez has of course positioned itself centre stage in the media headlines throughout Spain across the summer to date. After Robert Lewandowski was allowed to depart the aforementioned Barcelona on a free transfer, the 26-year-old was identified as the ideal replacement.
Desperate to secure a Camp Nou switch, Alvarez therefore confirmed whilst on international duty that:
"I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the best thing for everyone is ‌a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream."

#Barcelona #juli #metropolitano

La Liga giants Atlético Madrid have this weekend announced a fresh addition to the club's first-team ranks in the middle of the park.
The latest player to have put pen to paper on terms in Spain's capital? Morten Hjulmand.
The name of Danish international Hjulmand has of course dominated the headlines at Atlético Madrid over the last week. This comes after word was forthcoming that, amid a search for fresh blood in midfield, the Metropolitano brass had identified the 27-year-old as their no.1 target.
Talks, in turn, were kicked into gear with both the board at Portuguese outfit Sporting CP, and Hjulmand's team of representatives.
And after an agreement with the latter was quickly tied up, an accord has today been confirmed at club level, too.

On Tuesday, La Liga announced the complete fixture list for the 2026-27 season, with Real Madrid now knowing who they will play across the 38 matchdays. After two years without winning the ******* le, there is a strong desire to return it to the Bernabeu next May, and with Jose Mourinho now at the helm, their chances are good.
Real Madrid will start the season on the weekend of the 16th of August with a home match against Copa del Rey holders Real Sociedad, with their first away fixture the following weekend at Elche. Newly-promoted side Malaga then travel to the Bernabeu before they round off their first set of five matches with matches against Real Betis (away) and Rayo Vallecano (home).
Fans will eagerly anticipate the first El Clasico fixture of the season, which takes place on MD10 – the weekend of the 25th of October – at the Spotify Camp Nou, with the return match being at the Bernabeu on MD35 in May. As for city rivals Atletico Madrid, Mourinho’s side will travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on MD7 before welcoming Diego Simeone’s men to Catalonia on MD30, scheduled for early April.
Real Madrid are certainly in a better way to win the La Liga ******* le than they were a few weeks ago. The arrival of Mourinho, coupled with Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva being signed, has injected fresh optimism into the Bernabeu, and that could increase further with more new signings.
Real Madrid are currently working on plans to sign a new central defender and midfielder, and if they were to tempt Michael Olise away from Bayern Munich with a record-breaking offer, they would surely be favourites to conquer Barcelona and Atleti in the race to win the 2026-27 La Liga ******* le.

Atlético Madrid star Marc Pubill has revealed his take that Barcelona -linked teammate Julián Alvarez is likely to be on the move before the summer is out.
This of course comes fresh off the Argentine confirming his desire for a new challenge earlier this month.
Amid widespread links with the aforementioned Barcelona, Alvarez made use of a recent interview with ESPN to explain:
"I don't want to hide or act like I don't want to be clear. I try to be honest. I spoke to Atlético people and I think the best for everyone involved is for me to leave. I want to fulfil my dream."
And the impact of these comments has evidently since hit home amongst the talented attacker's teammates at the Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid’s unveiling of their new home kit for the 2026-27 season has generated unexpected discussion, with much of the focus falling not on the players featured in the campaign, but on one notable absentee.
The club presented their traditional red-and-white striped shirt with Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Giuliano Simeone and Alex Baena taking centre stage.
However, the absence of Julian Alvarez has become a talking point, especially given the uncertainty surrounding his future.
With Barcelona continuing to monitor the Argentine forward’s situation, fans have interpreted his omission from the promotional material as another indication that his long-term future at the Metropolitano remains unresolved.
The decision not to include Alvarez in Atletico Madrid’s kit launch has inevitably attracted attention.

Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth refuses to comment on speculation linking him with a move to Juventus while talks between the Bianconeri and the Colchoneros have slowed down in recent weeks.
Atletico Madrid striker Sorloth replied to a specific question about his potential move to Juventus after his Norway side beat Senegal 3-2 at the World Cup on Monday.
When asked about his thoughts on a potential transfer to Turin, the Norway international replied: “Nothing, why?”
“There’s nothing to say,” he added. “No comment.”
MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 13: Alexander Sorloth of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring a goal which is later disallowed during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Valencia CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on December 13, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

La Liga giants Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the situation of Manchester United star Benjamin Šeško with a view to next season.
This comes amid an ongoing search for centre-forward reinforcements at the Spotify Camp Nou.
It is of course common knowledge at this point that, following the departure of Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer, Barcelona are on the lookout for a new goalscorer this summer.
The Blaugrana have identified Julián Alvarez of La Liga rivals Atlético Madrid as their no.1 target to fill the role.
In the knowledge that those in the boardroom at the Metropolitano will do whatever it takes to keep hold of their star frontman, though, Deco and co. have been forced to draw up a shortlist of alternatives, too.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates in the semi-final second leg to advance 2-1 on aggregate. The result eliminates Los Colchoneros from European competition and ends a 20-year wait for the London club at this stage of the tournament.
The tie had been level heading into the second leg, the sides having drawn 1-1 at the Metropolitano in Madrid, where Viktor Gyökeres converted from the spot for ******* nal and Julián Álvarez equalised for Atletico via a penalty of his own.
Bukayo Saka (23) scored the only goal of the second leg in the 44th minute, turning in a rebound at close range after Jan Oblak had parried a shot from Leandro Trossard. It was a straightforward finish from inside the six-yard box, but it proved sufficient to send ******* nal through on aggregate.
Reports ahead of kick-off had noted that fireworks were set off outside Atletico’s team hotel at approximately 1:30 a.m. the night before the match, an apparent attempt to disrupt the visitors’ preparations – though Simeone made no public reference to it in the build-up to kick-off.
Arsenal’s defensive organisation was central to securing the result. With a 1-0 lead and aggregate parity broken, Mikel Arteta’s side managed the second half without conceding the chance that would have forced extra time, restricting Atletico to speculative efforts from distance.

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez followed through on his election promise to make a €150m bid for a star player on Tuesday – in a manner. It is said that Atletico Madrid took a call from Los Blancos but did not receive an official bid.
In the warm light of a Wednesday morning in Madrid, it is increasingly being seen as a simple election ploy from Perez. Real Madrid emitted a statement on Tuesday evening, saying that they had submitted a €150m bid for Julian Alvarez, but that it had been turned down, thanking Los Colchoneros in the process. Atletico responded with derision on social media, asking Los Blancos to stop ‘stealing’ their academy players.
Image via Getty Images
As explained by Marca, Real Madrid do not intend to continue their pursuit of Alvarez. Originally, Paris Saint-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves, and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, were cited as the potential targets of Real Madrid’s bid, with all three having been signalled as players that they were interested in beforehand. Diario AS say that Real Madrid have no plans to further pursue the signing of Alvarez, who is not in a position of particular need for Los Blancos either.
If Alvarez is to leave the Metropolitano this summer, then it seems he will most likely be headed abroad. Barcelona have expressed a strong interest in Alvarez, but Atletico have turned down a bid from the Catalans too, and seem reluctant to sell within La Liga. AS go on to say that **** nal are now the best-placed side to sign Alvarez, with Paris Saint-Germain ending their interest in the Argentina international last month. The Gunners hold a long-term interest, and would have the funds to make an offer that could interest Atletico.

There will never be another footballer quite like Divock Origi.
Footballers' careers are short at the best of times, but it is hard to imagine another player's career that could be so aptly described as lightning in a bottle.
And not just lightning of a common variety - the best kind of lightning. The kind that wins you Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues. The kind that produces moments that you tell your children about.
I was there when Origi scooped it past a helpless Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the Kop End to send Liverpool to Madrid. I was in the wide sloping stands of the Metropolitano Stadium when he scooped it past a despairing Hugo Lloris to stamp the passport of a sixth European cup - destination Anfield - back where it belonged.
Goals like that don't come along too often.