‘I Swore and He Was Angry With Me’ – Julian Alvarez Hits Back at Lip-Readers as Atletico Madrid Striker Addresses Reported Tension With Diego Simeone After Match-Winning Hat-Trick

Julian Alvarez Responds to Lip-Reading Controversy

In football, moments of frustration are often magnified by cameras and social media. Few players know this better than Julian Alvarez, who found himself at the center of a storm after Atletico Madrid’s clash with Mallorca. Cameras caught the Argentine striker muttering angrily as he was substituted, and soon lip-readers across social media claimed he had lashed out at his coach, Diego Simeone.

The whispers of discontent grew louder when Alvarez’s form dipped — a six-game goal drought combined with Atletico’s inconsistent start to the season provided fertile ground for speculation. Fans wondered if the former River Plate and Manchester City forward was struggling under Simeone’s notoriously demanding regime.

But on a warm evening at the Civitas Metropolitano, Alvarez delivered the perfect response. A hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano not only gave Atletico a dramatic 3-2 comeback win, it also gave him the platform to clear the air.

‘I Swore and He Was Angry With Me’ – Alvarez Sets Record Straight

After the final whistle, Alvarez didn’t dodge the controversy. He addressed the lip-reading claims head-on, telling reporters:

“The words they said… The lip-reading they did had nothing to do with what I’d said. I swore and he was angry with me, to be honest. This always happens with social media, but it’s all good. Let’s keep improving so we don’t drop points along the way.”

The striker admitted he was frustrated, but insisted the anger was directed at himself rather than Simeone. Footballers live in the heat of the moment, and Alvarez’s reaction was simply the release of tension after a tough game.

Social media may have exaggerated the incident, but Alvarez’s calm explanation helped ease fears of a rift in the Atletico dressing room.

Hat-Trick Heroics Against Rayo Vallecano

If words weren’t enough, Alvarez let his boots provide the strongest answer. His hat-trick was a classic striker’s performance: intelligent movement, clinical finishing, and above all, composure under pressure.

His first goal showed sharp instincts, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to pull Atletico level. The second came from clever positioning and an unerring right-footed finish. But it was the third — a sweetly struck left-footed effort in the dying minutes — that brought the house down.

“The third was very nice, it was a left-footed one, and it was right at the end to turn the game around. I’ll stick with the third,” Alvarez smiled afterwards, clearly savoring a night that may come to define his season.

Diego Simeone’s Public Backing

Diego Simeone, never shy of strong declarations, was effusive in his praise.

“Julian is the best player we have,” Simeone said simply after the win. For a coach who has managed stars from Radamel Falcao to Antoine Griezmann, the words carried weight.

It was also a clear message to Alvarez and to the wider football world: Simeone trusts his striker, values him highly, and sees him as the cornerstone of Atletico’s attack.

With the Madrid Derby looming on September 27, Simeone’s faith could not have been voiced at a better time.

The Weight of Expectations

Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona – La Liga EA Sports

For Alvarez, life at Atletico Madrid has been a whirlwind. After his move from Manchester City, he was heralded as the man to bring fresh firepower to Simeone’s attack. With his versatility, work rate, and knack for goals, he seemed a perfect fit.

Yet adjusting to a new league and a coach as demanding as Simeone was never going to be simple. At City, Alvarez often played in the shadow of Erling Haaland, adapting to minutes off the bench. At Atletico, the expectation is different: he is the main man, the striker expected to deliver week in, week out.

That responsibility can be heavy, and the six-match drought was a reminder of the fine margins strikers live with. But performances like the one against Rayo show why Atletico fought so hard to bring him to Spain.

The Social Media Factor

The lip-reading controversy highlights a modern truth about footballers’ lives: every gesture, every word, every grimace is dissected in real time. In an era where clips can go viral within minutes, players like Alvarez live under an unforgiving microscope.

“Social media can blow things out of proportion,” Alvarez admitted, and he’s right. A single frustrated comment was turned into a narrative about broken relationships and dressing-room unrest. For Atletico, a club that thrives on unity and the “Cholismo” spirit, such stories can be distracting.

By confronting the issue openly, Alvarez not only protected his relationship with Simeone but also reminded fans that he is human. Frustration is part of football. What matters is how you respond.

Madrid Derby on the Horizon

There’s no time for Alvarez to dwell. Atletico’s next test is the biggest of them all: the Madrid Derby against Real Madrid. Matches don’t come bigger, and Alvarez now heads into it with momentum, confidence, and his manager’s backing.

For Atletico fans, his hat-trick is a timely boost. Beating Rayo was essential for morale, but beating Real would send a statement. And if Alvarez is to fully write himself into Atleti folklore, scoring against Los Blancos is the perfect way to do it.

Why Simeone and Alvarez Fit Together

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On paper, Simeone and Alvarez may seem an odd couple. Simeone is all grit, intensity, and defensive structure. Alvarez, by contrast, is a player known for flair, creativity, and a natural goal-scoring instinct.

But in truth, they complement each other. Alvarez’s tireless pressing and willingness to track back fit neatly into Simeone’s ethos. Meanwhile, Simeone’s trust gives Alvarez the confidence to express himself in attack.

Saturday’s hat-trick was more than three goals — it was evidence of a partnership that, if nurtured, could define Atletico’s future.

Conclusion: Storm Passed, Focus Ahead

So, was there ever really a rift between Julian Alvarez and Diego Simeone? The striker’s words suggest not. Yes, there was frustration, yes there were angry words, but they were aimed at himself, not his coach.

Football is full of emotions, and in the pressure cooker of La Liga, tensions spill over. What matters is how players and managers respond. Alvarez responded with honesty off the pitch and brilliance on it. Simeone responded with faith and praise.

Together, they now look ahead — to the derby, to the Champions League, and to a season where Atletico’s fortunes may rest heavily on the shoulders of a 24-year-old Argentine who, with every passing week, looks more like the leader of Simeone’s next great side.