FC Barcelona target Julian Alvarez has been heavily booed by Atletico Madrid fans at the Metropolitano, as shown by various videos posted on social media.
Julian’s name and number were read out ahead of the Rojiblancos’ La Liga meeting with Villarreal, as the announcer ran through the team.
With the Argentine starting on the bench against the Yellow Submarine, the very mention of him saw what SPORT described as a “brutal booing”.
This is indeed a response to Julian’s open flirting with Barca. After reports in late May that he had accepted a five-year contract offer from the Catalans, Atleti have refused to negotiate a transfer of the player it signed from Manchester City in 2024.
At the World Cup where he reached the final with his country, Julian said that: “The truth is that I don’t know,” with regards to the future, when interviewed after Argentina’s group victory against Austria.
“I don’t think it’s the time to talk, but I can’t hide either. I try to be an honest person. I spoke to the people at the club, who I had to talk to. I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfill my dream,” Alvarez added, with that dream believed to be a move to FC Barcelona.
There are reports that Atleti teammates are unhappy with Barcelona target Julian Alvarez
Before the Villarreal match, Carrusel Deportivo reported that in the Atleti locker room, Julian’s “usual beetroot face” is making his teammates uncomfortable.
“He apologized and said he would be professional with Atletico, but as the days go by, they see that his attitude doesn’t change,” the Spanish radio station added.
Also ahead of the game, Atleti President Enrique Cerezo goaded Barca by telling El Desmarque that “FC Barcelona has not risen to the occasion and has not done what it usually does in these cases,” in terms of landing Julian.
Yet many Culers question why Atletico would want to keep a player who doesn’t want to be at the club against his will, and who has now clearly lost the support of the Spanish capital outfit’s fervent fans.
With around a week until the market closes, maybe Sporting Director Deco will launch one last attempt to make a Julian Alvarez a Barcelona player considering Hansi Flick doesn’t have a striker at present other than young Hamza Abdelkarim.