Diego Simeone's Anger Grows as Julian Alvarez Pushes for Barcelona Move

The relationship between Diego Simeone and Julian Alvarez has reportedly reached a boiling point amid ongoing rumors of the striker’s transfer to Barcelona. The atmosphere around Atletico Madrid’s camp is tense, with Simeone said to be deeply upset by Alvarez’s recent actions.

Simeone's Fury Over Alvarez's Transfer Ambitions

The mood inside the Metropolitano stadium has turned sour as reports claim Simeone is extremely angry with his star forward. Alvarez has been linked persistently with a move to Barcelona, leaving his manager feeling betrayed after standing firmly behind him throughout last season.

Phil Kitromilides, a La Liga commentator, gave insight into the deteriorating dynamics. Speaking to CBS Sports, he said:

"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 of Trust in Atletico Camp

The frustration comes from the unwavering support Simeone showed Alvarez during his struggles. When the striker endured nearly four months without scoring last season, the manager never publicly doubted him and continued to back him fully. Simeone saw Alvarez as the foundation of Atletico’s future, which makes this upheaval harder to accept.

Kitromilides added:

"This is his guy, someone he defended publicly and consistently last season during Alvarez’s goal drought. There was never a bad word from Simeone, always full backing. Alvarez is their key player and the whole project revolves around him."

Barcelona’s Interest and New Targets

Alvarez missed some training sessions last week, sparking more speculation about his exit. He did return to practice on Sunday, but his desire to join Barcelona remains clear. Atletico Madrid, however, have held a firm line against selling him.

Barcelona still admire the Argentine but recognize the difficulty of sealing a deal now. They are reportedly shifting focus towards signing Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal as a more realistic option to strengthen their attack instead of relying on Alvarez.

Uncertain Future at Atletico Madrid

Despite tensions, Alvarez is expected to feature in Atletico’s next match. The club aims to bring him back smoothly, even with the Barcelona saga ongoing.

Officials want to maintain normality and hope Alvarez will concentrate on football. 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."

Upcoming fixtures:

• Date: 31 Aug 2026, Match: Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid
• Date: 5 Sept 2026, Match: Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid