Forlán on Julián Álvarez: 'It's a shame, but we are professionals'

Former Atlético Madrid star Diego Forlán acknowledged the potential departure of Julián Álvarez from the club with a touch of regret, but quickly pivoted to the realities of professional football. "It's a shame, but people have to understand that we are professional players," Forlán stated, reflecting on the situation.

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It's a shame, but people have to understand that we are professional players. It would be a shame but another will appear.

Forlán, who played for Atlético between 2007 and 2011, winning two Pichichi trophies and a Copa del Rey, shared his personal experience of leaving the club. He admitted his exit did not align with his expectations, despite the accolades. "The way I had to leave was not what I would have wanted after all the achievements," he recalled, though he remains touched by the enduring affection from the fans.

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The way I had to leave was not what I would have wanted after all the achievements.

Speaking at an event in Madrid for a documentary about his career, the Uruguayan also highlighted Atlético's significant evolution. He contrasted the team's current status as a major European contender with his own era, when the club often vied for lower European qualification spots. "The institution has grown in recent years and is now on par with the great European teams," Forlán observed, expressing happiness at having been part of the club's earlier resurgence.

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The institution has grown in recent years and is now on par with the great European teams.