Atlético de Madrid has bid farewell to one of its young talents. Alberto Moreno, a 22-year-old midfielder trained in the rojiblanco academy, has closed his chapter with the colchonero club to embark on a new adventure at Deportivo Alavés. His departure marks the end of a developmental process as a colchonero player that led him to train with the first team, but without establishing himself in the elite.
The decision to leave for Alavés was a result of circumstances. Despite having trained under Diego Simeone and standing out in the lower categories, Moreno didn't find the necessary space to develop within the club. Now, in Vitoria, he will seek to relaunch his career and establish himself in professional soccer.
A Youth Player with Rojiblanco DNA
Moreno joined Atlético's academy as a child, growing as a footballer in the club's lower categories. From his early years, he stood out for his ability to distribute the ball, his vision of the game, and his tactical intelligence. His evolution allowed him to be part of the reserve team, and he even debuted with the first team in the Copa del Rey.
However, his progression was hindered by several factors. Despite his abilities, the competition in the rojiblanco midfield and the difficulty of making the definitive leap to the first team made his future at Atlético de Madrid uncertain. As happens with many youth players, the path to the elite is not always linear, and Moreno had to seek playing time away from the Metropolitano.
A Necessary Departure
After returning to Madrid in the summer, Moreno suffered an unexpected setback: an injury that prevented him from being registered in the reserve team squad. Although he managed to recover, the lack of opportunities ultimately pushed him to seek a way out. With a contract until 2025, Atlético chose not to renew or loan him again, facilitating his move to Deportivo Alavés.
Alavés has bet on him to strengthen their reserve team, where he will join other young talents like Carlos Martín, another former rojiblanco. In Vitoria, Moreno will seek to feel important again and prove that he has the level to aspire to higher categories.
A New Challenge in Vitoria
Deportivo Alavés represents a great opportunity for Moreno. The blanquiazules have a well-organized structure and a growth model based on developing young talents. If he manages to establish himself in the reserve team, it wouldn't be surprising to see him knocking on the first team's door in the future.
For Atlético, Moreno's departure is yet another example of the difficulty some youth players face in making the definitive leap. Although not everyone can succeed at the Metropolitano, many find their path away from the club. In the case of Alberto Moreno, his story with the rojiblancos ends here, but his career is just beginning.