Atletico Madrid's Tensions: Simeone Furious with Alvarez Amid Transfer Links
The mood at the Metropolitano has curdled. What was once the home of a fiercely united Atletico Madrid now feels like a dressing room on edge, with Diego Simeone said to be “absolutely furious” with Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine forward, heavily linked with a blockbuster move to Barcelona, has left his manager feeling betrayed after a season in which Simeone defended him at every turn.
La Liga commentator Phil Kitromilides outlined just how deep the anger runs inside Atleti. Speaking to CBS Sports, he painted a stark picture of the relationship between coach and player.
“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.”
This isn’t just irritation over a transfer link. It’s the sense of loyalty broken.
Simeone stood by Alvarez through his worst moments last season. When the former Manchester City striker went close to four months without a goal, the Atletico coach refused to waver. No public criticism. No subtle digs. Only constant backing and the insistence that Alvarez remained central to the club’s long-term vision.
Kitromilides underlined exactly why Simeone feels so wounded.
“This is his guy, this is someone who 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 per cent. This is their most important player, their franchise player. The whole project is built around Julian Alvarez.”
That is the context behind the fury. Atletico believed they were building around him. Now they are watching their supposed cornerstone gaze towards Camp Nou.
Alvarez missed training sessions last week, stoking the flames around his future and adding to the perception of a player edging towards the exit. He did, however, report back for work with his teammates on Sunday, a return that offers at least a sliver of calm in a stormy week.
Even so, his desire to join Barcelona has been widely reported, while Atletico’s response has been just as clear: they are not willing to fold. The club are holding a hard line, aware of his importance and the message any sale would send.
Barcelona, for their part, have not hidden their admiration for the Argentina international. They see the quality. They see the fit. But the reality of the market and Atletico’s stance has complicated any hope of getting a deal done now. Inside the Catalan hierarchy, there is a growing recognition of just how difficult – close to impossible – it would be to prise him away in this window.
So the gaze has shifted. Barca, still determined to strengthen their attack, are now pushing towards a move for Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal, viewed as a more realistic option than the unsettled Atleti forward.
Back in Madrid, Atletico are trying to restore some semblance of normality. Despite the tension, Alvarez is expected to be named in the squad for the club’s next fixture. The message is clear: reintegration, not rupture. They want their “franchise player” back on the pitch, not lost in a tug-of-war.
Club officials have been keen to cool the noise around his recent absence and possible return, publicly leaning on the language of professionalism and duty. Mateu Alemany set out the club’s line in simple terms.
“The plan is very clear. We hope he’ll be back in the team quickly and available for the next LaLiga match.”
The plan might be clear. The emotions are anything but. How long can a project “built around Julian Alvarez” survive when the bond between star and coach has been shaken to its core?
