Roberto Gomez Criticizes Barcelona's Pursuit of Julian Alvarez

Spanish pundit Roberto Gomez has launched a blistering attack on Barcelona over their pursuit of Julian Alvarez and taken aim at Real Madrid for allowing Rodri to slip away to their great rivals.

Speaking on La Tribu on Radio Marca, Gomez admitted he was struck by Rodri’s unveiling as a Barcelona player. The midfielder, fresh from winning the World Cup with Spain, revealed during his presentation that he had held talks with Real Madrid officials before ultimately choosing the Catalan giants.

For Gomez, that revelation cut deep.

“I believe Real Madrid made a grave mistake in letting Rodri leave, because he would have given the midfield a major boost,” he said, before doubling down with lavish praise. Rodri, he insisted, is “a world champion, a wonderful player, indeed the best. We have always valued his level, and I wish him every success in his new phase.”

The compliments ended there. The rest was a broadside.

Fury over Barcelona’s Alvarez approach

When the discussion turned to Julian Alvarez, Gomez’s tone hardened. The Argentina forward, he stressed, has earned the right to decide his own future. That, in his view, is not up for debate.

Barcelona’s behaviour in trying to make that future happen, though, was.

Gomez accused the Catalan club of crossing a line in their dealings with Atletico Madrid during negotiations for Alvarez, painting a picture of a club operating in the shadows rather than across the table.

“Barcelona (manoeuvred) behind Atletico’s back, and in a very despicable manner. This is unacceptable in football,” he said, his words laced with anger.

He did not soften the blow. Barcelona’s conduct, he argued, was “arrogant”, “conceited” and “condescending” – a triple charge aimed squarely at the Camp Nou hierarchy and the way they chose to handle one of the most talked‑about transfer operations of the summer.

Florentino Perez singled out for praise

In a debate dominated by criticism, one figure emerged untouched: Florentino Perez.

For Gomez, the Real Madrid president was the only leading actor to behave as the game’s unwritten codes demand.

“The only person who acted properly in all of this is Florentino Perez,” he said. According to Gomez, Perez first spoke directly to Alvarez and then followed the proper channels, contacting Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo afterward.

In a transfer market where power plays and backroom manoeuvres have become routine, Gomez drew a clear line between what he sees as acceptable and what crosses into disrespect. On one side, Perez and his approach. On the other, Barcelona, now facing questions not just about who they sign, but how they go about signing them.