Hat-trick hero Alvarez 'the best player we have', says Atletico's Simeone

Diego Simeone believes that Atletico Madrid's hat-trick hero Julian Alvarez is "the best player we have" following his midweek treble in their 3-2 win against Rayo Vallecano. 

Alvarez had opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Pep Chavarria's sensational strike and Alvaro Garcia's finish turned the contest on its head with 13 minutes remaining. 

However, Alvarez popped up with two goals in eight minutes late on to secure just Atletico's second win of the season, moving them up to ninth in the early LaLiga standings. 

Indeed, it was the Argentine forward's first career hat-trick in Europe's top five leagues across all competitions (166 appearances for Atletico and Manchester City). 

Alvarez also posted a joint-team-high total of chances created (three, level with Marcos Llorente and Nahuel Molina), with all three of his shots in the contest on target. 

"[Alvarez] is very good – he's the best player we have," Simeone told ESPN. "We have to look after him, we have to help him be better.

"We need to have him here for many years at Atletico Madrid, he's our difference-making player."

Alvarez did, however, come into the contest low on confidence, having missed an early penalty during their 1-1 draw away to Mallorca in their last league fixture. 

The 25-year-old was replaced just after the hour by Alexander Sorloth, who was sent off 10 minutes later, and he appeared unhappy about being withdrawn by Simeone. 

Reports in Spain claimed that Alvarez had muttered "always me" after being substituted, though the Atletico forward was quick to clear up any misunderstanding. 

"People said that on social media, but it's more something on the outside than on the inside," Alvarez told ESPN. "Everything is fine. Those weren't the words I used.

"They were other words, rude words. I was angry with myself because of how the game had gone. But these things always happen with how social media is nowadays."

Atletico's victory hands them a timely momentum boost heading into their next league fixture, with Simeone's team welcoming city rivals Real Madrid to the Metropolitano. 

Madrid are the only side to win all six of their opening top-flight matches in 2025-26, and Simeone acknowledged the size of the task awaiting his players this Saturday. 

"Pure football. Football is fantastic," Simeone said. "That's the marvellous thing about this game.

"When it seems all is lost, faith, work and persistence, give you this joy every now and then.

"They're [Madrid] a team that's won all six games. They're in an incredible moment, and they have decisive players all over the pitch.

"They've grown compared to last season in their collective play. They're a great opponent."