On 31 January, Argentine striker Julián Álvarez celebrated his 26th birthday, a day meant for cake, celebration, and the adoration of fans. Yet, that evening his club, Atlético Madrid, faced Valencia in La Liga, offering Álvarez the perfect opportunity to mark his birthday with a match-winning performance. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side.
Despite several chances, Álvarez was unable to find the net, extending what has become the most frustrating goal drought of his professional career. He has now gone 11 consecutive league matches without scoring, a length of time he has never experienced since arriving in European football.
The match against Valencia began unexpectedly for Álvarez. Head coach Diego Simeone opted to leave him on the bench, instead starting fellow World Cup-winning Argentine Thiago Almada. However, the “Spider” was called into action earlier than anticipated. In the 22nd minute, a collision between teammates Alexander Sørloth and Argentine Matías Moreno while defending a corner resulted in a serious injury to Sørloth, who had to be taken to hospital. Álvarez was brought on as a substitute.
Even after over an hour on the pitch, Álvarez could not break his scoring duck. Previously, his worst dry spell was during a 10-game stretch for Manchester City in 2024. He has now surpassed that record, failing to score not only in La Liga but also in Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. Even in the Champions League, his form has been subdued, with little impact in Atlético Madrid’s final two group-stage matches.
Álvarez’s struggle has directly affected Atlético’s results. The team finished 14th in their Champions League group, meaning they now must navigate the knockout playoff to secure a Round of 16 spot.
With the World Cup approaching, Álvarez’s inconsistent form has become a concern for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. One of the key figures in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, Álvarez now seems a shadow of his best self. Reports from Argentine outlet Clarín indicate that Scaloni met recently with Atlético’s four Argentine players, addressing Álvarez’s goal drought specifically.
Across all competitions this season, Álvarez has scored just 11 goals and provided 5 assists in 30 appearances. His last La Liga goal came on 1 November, nearly three months ago. If this drought continues, the mounting pressure on the Argentine forward will be immense, both at club and international level.
Álvarez 2025/26 Season Statistics
| Competition | Matches Played | Goals | Assists | Last Goal Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 18 | 8 | 3 | 1 November 2025 |
| Copa del Rey | 6 | 2 | 1 | 15 December 2025 |
| Champions League | 6 | 1 | 1 | 20 December 2025 |
| Total | 30 | 11 | 5 | – |
The coming months will be crucial for Álvarez. Breaking this goal drought is essential not only to restore his confidence but also to reinforce Argentina’s attacking options ahead of the next major international tournaments.