Rodrigo de Paul explains key reason why Julian Alvarez switched Manchester City for Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo de Paul believes there is one key reason why Julian Alvarez opted to leave Manchester City in the summer transfer window to join La Liga.

The 24-year-old Argentina international first joined Pep Guardiola’s Etihad Stadium project in the summer of 2022, after the Premier League champions reached an agreement with River Plate over a £14 million deal six months previous.

During his time in the sky blue of Manchester City, Julian Alvarez won a total of two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

However, Alvarez decided to leave the club during the recent summer in a somewhat surprising move, with Atletico Madrid paying an initial €75 million for the forward’s services–an amount Manchester City simply could not refuse.

The Argentina international has scored once in his opening six games for the Spanish outfit, who are currently unbeaten in the new La Liga campaign.

His international teammate – and new club teammate – Rodrigo de Paul has now spoken on Julian Alvarez’s decision to leave Manchester City for a new challenge in Spain, in search of more consistent opportunities in the leading striker role.

De Paul believes the surprise transfer switch was mainly due to Julian Alvarez’s drive to challenge himself, after winning almost everything available with both Argentina and Manchester City.

“We sent some messages, but I think it also speaks of Julián (Alvarez), of his personality and hunger, of his desire to challenge himself,” De Paul told CNN Espanol when speaking about the summer move.

“Because you think that Julián is a 23-year-old person who has won everything; the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the Copa América, the World Cup where he played, he won everything and he is not satisfied, right?

“I say that, it is wanting to push the limits, understanding that there is always a little more. So, this challenge that he takes on and that is not easy, because the expectations of Atlético Madrid, which is normal for a player of his quality, are very high.”

He continued, “And he changed this by having found a place in Manchester of tranquillity and knowing that they have a great team. He wants, he always wants a little more.

“So, I think it speaks of who he is, his mentality, his hunger and well, we, at least I as a teammate in the national team, will try to help him achieve what he came looking for, which are titles.”

Pep Guardiola’s side have had an excellent start to the new Premier League season, with Erling Halaand scoring nine goals in the opening four games – all of which Manchester City have won.