Lautaro Martínez hopes Argentina teammate Julián Álvarez can soon get over his failed attempt to leave Atlético Madrid this summer.
Álvarez had made a public transfer request during the 2026 World Cup to try and force his way out of Atlético.
The former Manchester City forward, who was a target of Barcelona and Arsenal, was forced to remain at the Metropolitano after Atlético refused to negotiate a deal with any club this summer.
“I did speak to him and sent him a message,” Inter Milan captain Martínez said when asked Álvarez’s situation in Monday’s news conference.
“I showed him my full support because, apart from the fact that we’re teammates, that we play in the same position and are competing for a place in the national team, he’s a friend.
“I’m sure the situation he’s been through and is still going through isn’t easy, but well, the decision lies with his club and his club’s president.”
Álvarez was whistled and booed by Atlético fans in his first appearance for the team this season.
He missed two days of training, citing illness as the reason, the week before the transfer window closed in Spain.
“I wish him all the best,” Martínez said. “I hope he gets well soon and continues to show what he’s shown so far, because he’s a brilliant player — one of the best in the world, too.”
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Atlético coach Diego Simeone said on Friday that he hoped the situation had served Álvarez as “a learning experience for him.”
Simeone recently stated he would “do everything” he could to make the 2022 World Cup winner “feel important” on his return.
Álvarez came off the bench before the hour in Saturday’s 3-0 league defeat at Athletic, the star forward’s first appearance since the summer transfer window closed.
He has scored 49 goals in 108 games for Atlético since joining for €95m ($110m) from Manchester City in August 2024, but is yet to win any silverware in Madrid.
