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Open war between the two clubs
Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gill Marin sparked a major crisis with Barcelona after he lashed out at the Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta, accusing him of engaging in “media theater” in his repeated attempts to sign Atletico’s Argentina star Julián Alvarez, stressing that Barcelona’s shirt will not be the one he wears next season.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo revealed the inflammatory statement was made while Barcelona’s delegation was in New York for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in what observers described as “provocative and deliberate” to embarrass the Catalan club in front of the international media.
“I have heard some statements from President Laporta that his offer is not open, and our answer is that our refusal is already open, we do not want to sell him. We will not accept an offer of 100 million euros and we will not accept an offer of 150 million euros or 200 million euros.”
The CEO of “Atletico” was not satisfied with this, but raised his tone in an unprecedented way, saying: “I know the inner circle of the rival club well and I know they perform in front of the media and fans as part of their game.”
Gilles Marin said he personally asked Laporta to stop this behavior, but to no avail, saying: “I have a good personal relationship with their chairman and I have clearly asked him to back off, stressing that Julian is not for sale. However, they insist on this position because it feeds the media and the social game.”
“They know very well that Julian Alvarez will not play in Barcelona next season.” It’s a shame that they continue to do this in front of their fans, and even worse, in front of the player himself.”
Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, was not spared the attack from Atletico’s chief executive, who accused him of giving the player “bad advice” since the end of the season, despite confirming his confidence that “the player’s performance and behavior will remain exemplary”.
On the other hand, “Barcelona” sources told “Mundo Deportivo” newspaper that the Catalan administration decided not to get involved in provocations and not enter into a verbal debate with Gilles Marin, preferring to “keep quiet and wait for what happens next Sunday after the end of the World Cup”.
Alvarez, who is 27, will play for Argentina in the World Cup final against Spain, featuring eight Barcelona players, in a clash that could decide his footballing future amid this raging conflict between the two giants of Spanish football.
