Argentine Star Struggles, Scaloni Concerned

January 31 marked the 26th birthday of Argentine forward Julián Álvarez. While the day was expected to be filled with celebration—cakes, well-wishes from fans, and personal joy—the evening brought little reason to rejoice. Atlético Madrid faced Valencia in La Liga, and Álvarez had the perfect opportunity to mark his birthday with a standout performance. Yet, fortune did not favour the young striker.

Despite several chances, Álvarez failed to score. In fact, his goal drought has deepened, now stretching 11 consecutive league matches without finding the net. Since moving to European football, he has never experienced such a prolonged period of goal scarcity.

The match began unexpectedly for Álvarez. Atlético coach Diego Simeone left him on the bench, instead selecting fellow World Cup winner Thiago Almada in the starting eleven. However, Álvarez’s wait was brief. In the 22nd minute, an unfortunate incident forced him onto the pitch. While defending a corner, teammates Alexander Sørloth and Matías Moreno collided heads, resulting in a serious injury to Sørloth that required hospitalisation. Álvarez was brought on as a replacement.

Even after more than an hour on the field, Álvarez could not break his scoring drought. Previously, his longest barren spell had been in 2024, when he went ten matches without scoring for Manchester City. This current run now surpasses that, marking the most difficult period of his career in front of goal. His struggles are not limited to La Liga; he has also failed to score in Copa del Rey and other domestic competitions, and has looked subdued in Atlético’s last two Champions League matches.

Atlético’s reliance on Álvarez as a primary striker means his slump has affected the team’s results. Currently, they sit 14th in their Champions League group, necessitating a knockout play-off to secure a place in the Round of 16.

With the World Cup approaching, the pressure on Álvarez has intensified, drawing concern from Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. The 2022 World Cup hero appears to be struggling to recapture his previous form. Reports from Argentine media outlet Clarín indicate that Scaloni met with four Argentine players at Atlético Madrid, specifically discussing Álvarez’s goal drought.

Álvarez: 2025–26 Season Statistics

As of now, Álvarez has scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists across 30 matches this season. His last league goal came on 1 November last year, meaning nearly three months have passed without a strike. If his barren run continues, the burden on Álvarez—and on both Atlético Madrid and Argentina—will only increase.