After the Champions League draw, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona club executives, Gil Marín and Rafa Yuste, clashed fiercely over the future of Alvarez.
Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, CEO of Atletico Madrid, stated this Thursday that Argentine forward Julián Alvarez "is in a really bad place because someone has been deceiving him." The executive has explicitly ruled out negotiations with Barcelona but has not ruled out the possibility of selling Alvarez to other clubs. Gil Marín made these remarks on the Movistar+ program after Atletico Madrid's involvement in the 2026-27 Champions League group stage draw. He said, "The player is in a really bad place right now. Someone has been deceiving and misleading him, and honestly, I feel very sorry about it because I know him, and we have been working with him for some time. He is a very good person, an excellent professional, and a talented footballer." Gil Marín also stated that Alvarez "is completely confused and is currently in a very, very difficult situation both personally and professionally."
The head of Atletico Madrid's management expressed strong anger following remarks made by Barcelona president Laporta on Wednesday. Laporta had expressed interest in "Spider" Alvarez, and according to reports, the player had been absent from training for two consecutive days due to illness. Faced with this situation, Gil Marín sharply criticized Barcelona: "The truth is, this makes us even angrier because dishonesty, lack of ethics, lack of transparency, and unprofessional conduct disgust us." At the end of his statement, Gil Marín made it clear that his stance on Alvarez's future would not change. He said, "The only definite and firm decision is that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances. I have been working in football for over thirty years, and this is my commitment—one of the few things I can stand by. During my tenure, this player will absolutely not transfer to Barcelona."
Barcelona responded through the club's vice president, Rafael Yuste. After the Champions League draw, Yuste also gave an interview on Movistar+ and expressed regret regarding Gil Marín's comments: "What surprises me is that Miguel Ángel Gil, who knows me, would make such remarks. I think these words are completely inappropriate, lacking both courtesy and respect." The Barcelona executive defended the club's and Laporta's track record, emphasizing that Barcelona has been an example of "hard work, professionalism, and delivering results" for many years. Addressing Atletico Madrid's accusations, Yuste expressed disagreement: "I believe these words have crossed a line, and I completely fail to understand or agree with these statements. Of course, I am upset about them." Finally, Rafael Yuste emphasized that Barcelona always respects other clubs and players. He stated: "We are a club that respects our opponents, we respect Atletico Madrid, and we genuinely respect all players worldwide." He reiterated Laporta's previously expressed stance: "If a player wants to join a club, then of course we would be happy about it, and that's all."
On Cadena COPE's 'Partidazo de COPE' program, commentator Gonzalo Miró also weighed in on Atletico Madrid's Argentine forward. He expressed it very clearly: "Now there are clearly two options. The first is, if Arsenal reaches an agreement with Atletico Madrid and the player ultimately wants to leave, then he joins Arsenal. The other is that he stays at Atletico Madrid and sits on the bench." Miró then added: "The key is that he has a contract. Don't forget that. No one is breaking the law, so let's not overcomplicate things. I believe that in the current situation, the wisest and most beneficial option for Atletico Madrid is to sell him."
Finally, Gonzalo Miró spoke about which solution he would prefer: "As an Atletico Madrid fan, what I would personally most like to see is Julián Alvarez stay and face the consequences for handling things so badly. Furthermore, he should also blame his agent, who is the real instigator of this whole situation."
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ceubiptuyz
0
Arsenal dont need this thing Alvarez he dont want to join gunners and he is a problem already pls Arteta we have got victor and kai wnough all what we need is a winger bring in ndiaye than we are good to deffend our title.
"Arsenal dont need.." bro u really believe your opinion is everyone's opinion or the club's opinion !! we don't have a striker of Julian's caliber. Victor is less than a half a striker Alvarez is, and Kai isn't a striker, good player tho
Lezailnpz
0
Arsenal dont need this thing Alvarez he dont want to join gunners and he is a problem already pls Arteta we have got victor and kai wnough all what we need is a winger bring in ndiaye than we are good to deffend our title.
Diyabdiln
1
join ARSENAL
Bengudmman
0
He needs to grow up as a professional.
raccmopsy
0
stay
nasaelmosy
0
your heart is full of hate for Argentine players I guess...you don't understand the situation behind this Alvarez saga...the hate of Argentine players is the one that make some of you to pretend you don't see the best in players like Enzo Fernandez, I'm a Gunner too,but if you can be honest are you gonna tell me our Odegaard is better than Enzo? again did Gyokeres blindfolded you so much that you think he's a real deal at Arsenal? Alvarez's unhappy situation at ATM will force him to come to Arsenal if things go well...we also need a reliable and dangerous striker like other clubs,like Mbappe at Madrid... it's competition homie,favouritism won't take us anywhere...look at what almost happed to the tittle when Odegaard return in favour again,when he already find the team thriving with Merino and Eze in AM
he I'll do the same at Arsenal. Just wait and see the guy is always not happy with clubs after 3 to 4 years
bewcdlrstu
0
we dont want him at arsenal, he is arrogant.
Bethlehem10
0
As an Arsenal fan, I won't want to see Julian Alvarez in our dressing room. Like he is doing now, he always create discord and he won't stop doing so. If he should come to Arsenal, I can guarantee he will create this same scenario too. He did something like this while at Manchester City and now he is doing this. I don't want him in Arsenal. He is a rebel and a pestilent fellow. We don't like players like that in Arsenal
your heart is full of hate for Argentine players I guess...you don't understand the situation behind this Alvarez saga...the hate of Argentine players is the one that make some of you to pretend you don't see the best in players like Enzo Fernandez, I'm a Gunner too,but if you can be honest are you gonna tell me our Odegaard is better than Enzo? again did Gyokeres blindfolded you so much that you think he's a real deal at Arsenal? Alvarez's unhappy situation at ATM will force him to come to Arsenal if things go well...we also need a reliable and dangerous striker like other clubs,like Mbappe at Madrid... it's competition homie,favouritism won't take us anywhere...look at what almost happed to the tittle when Odegaard return in favour again,when he already find the team thriving with Merino and Eze in AM
zizcenrsyz
0
Let him come to Arsenal ,we become family hence all the saga that is mounting on him.
putbilmnps
5
As an Arsenal fan, I won't want to see Julian Alvarez in our dressing room. Like he is doing now, he always create discord and he won't stop doing so. If he should come to Arsenal, I can guarantee he will create this same scenario too. He did something like this while at Manchester City and now he is doing this. I don't want him in Arsenal. He is a rebel and a pestilent fellow. We don't like players like that in Arsenal
focakorsuz
7
By Tuesday all this shit would be over with... We all can now focus on club football
kodbcinyz
4
just let him go to arsenal