Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez left the pitch alone instead of greeting supporters following a draw against Villarreal on Sunday. Manager Diego Simeone said the move was ordered by the club.
While his teammates stayed on the field to acknowledge the crowd after securing a point with a player sent off, the Argentine walked towards the tunnel with his head down, without looking back and completely alone.
Simeone said club staff informed him it was their decision that Alvarez should not approach the fans. He said the club chose to separate the player and send him to the dressing room.
Public transfer request
The player's relationship with the supporters has broken down since he publicly declared his desire to join Barcelona on June 22 while playing at the 2026 World Cup.
The forward joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024. He has scored 49 goals in 106 appearances and remains under contract until June 2030.
He returned to the club on August 10 following his post World Cup holiday, but was left out of the squad for a match against Malaga on Wednesday due to a lack of match fitness.
Sunday marked his first appearance at the Metropolitano stadium since he scored an equalising goal in a Champions League semi final against Arsenal on April 29, before suffering an ankle sprain that ruled him out for the final stretch of the season.
Hostile reception
The forward played for half an hour as a substitute on Sunday. Fans at the stadium whistled him when his name was announced before the match, when he began warming up at the 52nd minute, and when Simeone sent him on to the pitch 14 minutes later.
A section of the stands chanted for him to leave as he entered the match shortly after Villarreal equalised. Fans also sang insults directed at Barcelona while he warmed up on the touchline.
Rejected transfer offers
Barcelona began their approach in May and presented a formal offer of 100 million euros in six instalments in early June. Atletico responded by pointing to his 500 million euro release clause. Real Madrid also announced a 150 million euro offer in early July.
Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin said in July that the offer made to the club was not infinite, but their response is infinite. He said they do not want to transfer him and will not accept an offer of 100 million euros, nor will they accept 150 million or 200 million.
Addressing the transfer request in June, Gil Marin said Alvarez has a dream, but that Atletico supporters also have dreams. He confirmed they had spoken but said the player perfectly understands their stance because they have been very clear that Atletico does not want to transfer his rights. He called him a great player and said they are very proud he plays for them.
Gil Marin said Barcelona lacked respect and thought they could dismiss Atletico as weak or stupid, adding that they are in reality showing the world a way of operating that defines them.
Speaking before the match, Simeone said there are no uncertainties and that Gil Marin had spoken clearly on Friday. He called Alvarez a vital player to reach their team goals. He said they need him and will take care of him sportingly and stand with him, adding that he will look after his players as long as they are at Atletico Madrid.
