Diego Simeone Furious as Julian Alvarez Pushes for Barcelona Move

Tensions Rise Between Diego Simeone and Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid

The relationship between Diego Simeone and Julian Alvarez has reportedly hit a breaking point amid ongoing rumors of the striker’s potential transfer to Barcelona. The atmosphere at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano stadium is said to be tense, with Simeone feeling deeply betrayed by Alvarez’s recent actions.

Simeone’s Frustration Reaches New Heights

Reports describe Simeone as absolutely furious with Alvarez, who has been strongly linked to a summer move to Barcelona. This comes after Simeone’s public support during a tough period for Alvarez last season, which makes the current situation particularly bitter for the coach.

Phil Kitromilides, a La Liga commentator, shared insights on the tension: "What I’m hearing is that the dressing room is very, very disappointed with him. And what I’ve been told by someone who knows the situation is that Diego Simeone can’t even look at him. Like, Diego Simeone is furious, absolutely furious with Julian Alvarez. And rightly so."

Betrayal After Support

The anger within Atletico’s camp stems from the unwavering trust Simeone showed during Alvarez’s four-month goal drought last season. Simeone stood firmly behind the Argentine forward, never questioning his commitment or performance.

Kitromilides added: "This is his guy, someone he defended publicly, consistently, last season when Alvarez went nearly four months without scoring. He was never questioned by Simeone, never a bad word from Simeone, constantly backed and supported 100 percent. This is their most important player, their franchise player. The whole project is built around Julian Alvarez."

Barcelona Interest and Alternatives

Alvarez missed some training sessions recently, sparking more talk about his desire to join Barcelona, though he did return to training on Sunday. Atletico Madrid remains firm on their position despite the striker’s intentions.

Barcelona continues to pursue Alvarez but acknowledges the difficulty of securing a deal this window. As a result, they have shifted focus to other options, reportedly closing in on signing Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal as a more feasible target.

Future Unclear at Atletico

Despite the tension, Alvarez is expected to feature in Atletico’s next match. Club officials are working to maintain normality amid the strain, hoping the player will prioritize his duties on the pitch.

Mateu Alemany recently said: "The plan is very clear. We hope he’ll be back in the team quickly and available for the next LaLiga match."

• LaLiga Fixtures:
• 31 Aug 2026, 21:30: Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid
• 5 Sept 2026, 16:15: Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid