For the past few days, media reports have been circulating about an impending transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona. Atletico Madrid responded by calling the reports false and launched a fierce attack on the Catalans.
Just as Anthony Gordon’s move to FC Barcelona was taking shape, the focus had already shifted to another player who, according to consistent media reports, wants to join the Catalans: Julian Alvarez.
According to these reports, the Argentine had made his clear desire to leave known to the officials at Atlético Madrid, who are said to have received an offer of 100 million euros from Barcelona shortly thereafter. The Colchoneros had already made it clear on Friday afternoon that this was “just another lie.” But that was far from the end of it…
“A bag of sunflower seeds” for Lamine Yamal?
Atletico kicked things off with a statement announced on Platform X, stating, “We will be releasing a statement on an important issue regarding which numerous false reports are currently circulating.” First, however, the Madrid club took the opportunity to mock Barca in an unprecedented way.
In the style of transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Colchoneros reported on the obviously fabricated negotiations regarding Barca pros Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha. In the case of the first player, they reportedly offered “four tickets to the Bad Bunny concert tomorrow, a one-year subscription to the ABC newspaper, and a bag of sunflower seeds.”
An obvious joke, yet one preceded by a serious and critical thought. “We live in a time when reality can be manipulated. Don’t believe everything you see, especially when it comes to Barca,” Atletico had stated on Instagram before following up with more.
More jabs from Madrid
“No, Atlético Madrid would never do something like that. Nevertheless, we have been subjected to a smear campaign against one of our players in recent months,” reads a concluding statement. Álvarez himself had already spoken of an “avalanche of lies” about a month ago.
“Self-serving indiscretions, fake news, constant disrespect, the Barça version of the machine that invents stories, phone calls before direct matchups”—the club has had to put up with all of this. Atlético concluded the long list of accusations with remarks regarding the allegations of corruption against the Catalans in the wake of the Negreira affair. The protracted debates surrounding Dani Olmo’s registration last year were also mentioned.
Given the Catalans’ ongoing interest in Atlético striker Álvarez, the final word in the debate has likely not yet been spoken. FC Barcelona has not yet commented on the sweeping accusations from its La Liga rival.
