Sorloth muscle injury clouds Atletico Madrid's La Liga start
Synopsis
Atletico Madrid head into the new La Liga season short of attacking options: Sorloth is out with a muscle contracture, Alvarez's future is unresolved, Griezmann has gone, and Almada has been sold. That leaves Lookman as the lone makeshift striker for a demanding opening run that includes Malaga, Villarreal, and Sevilla in quick succession.
Key Takeaways
Alexander Sorloth has been ruled out of Atletico Madrid's opening fixtures with a muscle contracture, confirmed on 12 August .
Julian Alvarez's future at the club remains uncertain amid reported interest from FC Barcelona ; he only returned to preseason on Monday.
Atletico open their La Liga campaign against Malaga on 19 August , followed by Villarreal ( 23 August ) and Sevilla the weekend after.
Lee Kang-in has joined from PSG on a deal until June 2031 for a reported €40 million , adding midfield quality.
Atletico have made three summer signings in total, also bringing in Alex Grimaldo and Morten Hjulmand .
Atletico Madrid have been dealt an early blow ahead of the new La Liga season, with Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth sidelined by a muscle contracture that will rule him out of the club's opening fixtures. The setback was confirmed by the club on Wednesday, 12 August.
'Alexander Sorloth has suffered a muscle contracture and will have to work apart from the rest of the squad,' the club stated on its official website.
A Thin Attacking Options
The timing is particularly awkward for Atletico. The future of Argentina international Julian Alvarez remains uncertain, with FC Barcelona reportedly interested in the forward. Even if Alvarez stays, the 26-year-old only returned to preseason training on Monday after a permitted three-week break following the World Cup final, and is unlikely to be match-fit for Atletico's La Liga opener against Malaga on 19 August.
The departures of Antoine Griezmann — who left at the end of last season to play in the United States — and Thiago Almada, sold to River Plate a week ago, have further thinned the attacking ranks. That leaves Ademola Lookman as the only viable makeshift striker option for the time being.
Demanding Early Schedule
Atletico's fixture list offers little room for error. After the Malaga opener on 19 August, they host Villarreal on 23 August before travelling to face Sevilla the following weekend — a sequence that demands a settled and functional forward line.
Lee Kang-in Signing Adds Midfield Depth
On a more positive note, Atletico have completed the signing of South Korea international midfielder Lee Kang-in from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The 25-year-old has penned a deal running until the end of June 2031, with the transfer fee reported to be around €40 million (approximately $45.5 million).
Lee brings considerable pedigree: across 124 appearances for PSG in all competitions, he scored 16 goals and won two UEFA Champions League titles and three Ligue 1 crowns. He is no stranger to La Liga either — he joined the Valencia academy at age 10, made his first-team debut in 2018, and subsequently spent two years at Mallorca before moving to Paris. He has earned 50 international caps, featuring in both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Summer Transfer Activity
With Lee's arrival, Atletico have now completed three signings this summer. The club also brought in Spain left-back Alex Grimaldo and Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand. Despite the midfield reinforcements, the injury to Sorloth underscores that the squad's attacking depth remains a pressing concern as the season gets underway.
Point of View
But he is a creator, not a finisher. If Alvarez leaves, Atletico could be left relying on Lookman as their primary forward through a punishing August schedule — a structural vulnerability that Diego Simeone will need to address quickly.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury does Alexander Sorloth have?
Sorloth has suffered a muscle contracture, according to an official statement from Atletico Madrid on 12 August. He will train separately from the squad and is expected to miss the club's opening La Liga fixtures.
Will Julian Alvarez leave Atletico Madrid?
Alvarez's future at Atletico Madrid remains uncertain, with FC Barcelona reportedly interested in the Argentina international. He only returned to preseason training on Monday after his post-World Cup break and is unlikely to be fit for the 19 August opener against Malaga regardless.
Who is Lee Kang-in and why did Atletico Madrid sign him?
Lee Kang-in is a 25-year-old South Korean attacking midfielder signed from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €40 million on a contract until June 2031. He brings La Liga experience from Valencia and Mallorca, and won two Champions League and three Ligue 1 titles at PSG across 124 appearances.
Who will play as striker for Atletico Madrid with Sorloth injured?
Ademola Lookman is currently the only available option to play as a makeshift striker, according to reports. Alvarez is not yet fit, and the club has not announced any emergency forward signing.
What does Atletico Madrid's early La Liga schedule look like?
Atletico open their La Liga campaign against Malaga on 19 August, then host Villarreal on 23 August before travelling to face Sevilla the following weekend — a demanding run that makes their current forward-line shortage particularly concerning.
