Atlético Madrid has bluntly rejected Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s remarks about Julián Álvarez, declaring the Argentine striker untouchable and vowing to pursue legal action against their rivals. The club issued a statement late Wednesday confirming Álvarez remains integral to Atlético’s long-term plans, specifically their 2026-27 project. The response came hours after Laporta publicly suggested Álvarez could be a future Barça target, calling the forward a “top-level player” who could fit into Barcelona’s rebuilding efforts.
Atlético’s stance is absolute: no sale, no negotiation, and no backing down. The club escalated the dispute by filing a formal complaint with FIFA and Spain’s Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over what it describes as “sustained pressure and improper approaches” from Barcelona. The complaint marks the first formal legal escalation in a transfer dispute that has simmered since Álvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in July 2022.
The timing is critical. Álvarez, 24, is under contract until June 2026 with a release clause reported at €100 million. His market value has risen sharply since his move to Spain, with recent performances lifting him into Ballon d’Or watch lists.
Any Barça attempt to sign him outside the transfer window would risk sanctions under FIFA’s tampering rules, which bar clubs from contacting players under contract at rival teams. Atlético’s statement was terse: “Julián Álvarez is not for sale. ” The club did not specify whether it would seek an injunction or financial compensation, but the filing with FIFA and RFEF signals a readiness to escalate.
” His comments were widely interpreted as a public signal of intent, despite Álvarez’s contractual status. Atlético’s swift dismissal underscores the depth of the rivalry and the high stakes involved. This public courting represents a calculated risk by Barcelona, attempting to leverage fan pressure to unsettle a key asset, yet it has backfired spectacularly.
Atlético’s refusal to entertain offers, despite the striker’s €100 million release clause, signals a shift in how smaller La Liga powers defend their squads against financial heavyweights. By anchoring their strategy around the 2026-27 project, the Rojiblancos are treating Álvarez not merely as a transfer commodity but as the foundational piece of their post-Griezmann identity. The legal strategy is equally aggressive.
By weaponizing FIFA’s Article 18bis—usually reserved for third-party ownership disputes—Atlético is accusing Barcelona of systemic tampering rather than a one-off indiscretion. The specific citation of the May 12 meeting between Deco and Álvarez’s agent suggests Atlético possesses concrete evidence of unauthorized contact. If FIFA upholds this interpretation, the case could establish a harsher precedent for tapping up, forcing clubs to abandon the "wink and nod" approach to recruitment that has long plagued European football.
Atlético’s refusal to trigger a €100 million release clause underscores a philosophical shift in the capital. The Rojiblancos are no longer acting as a feeder team for La Liga’s elite; they are building a fortress around Álvarez to sustain competitiveness beyond the Griezmann era. Treating the striker as a foundational asset for 2026 rather than a liquid asset signals a rejection of the financial pragmatism that usually dictates mid-tier club strategy.
This defiance reasserts agency, proving that sporting ambition can outweigh lucrative offers when the project is coherent. The specificity of the allegations exposes a brazen confidence within Barcelona’s hierarchy. By deploying sporting director Deco to a May 12 meeting with Álvarez’s agent, Barça bypassed standard protocols, treating a rival’s contract as a mere formality.
This move suggests a desperation to secure elite talent amid financial strictures, yet it provides Atlético with the ammunition to frame the incident not as casual chatter but as a coordinated conspiracy. The evidence turns a war of words into a procedural crisis for Camp Nou officials, one that could expose systemic disregard for regulations. Atlético’s legal filing alleges Barça breached FIFA’s Article 18bis, which prohibits third-party influence on player contracts.
The complaint includes documented instances of Barça officials contacting Álvarez’s representatives, including a meeting in Barcelona on May 12, 2024, attended by Barça sporting director Deco and Álvarez’s agent. Atlético claims this interaction violated FIFA’s regulations on player tampering. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has 30 days to acknowledge the complaint.
If accepted, Barça could face sanctions ranging from fines to transfer bans. Atlético has also reserved the right to pursue civil claims in Spanish courts, including claims for damages and a potential injunction blocking any future Barça approach. What’s next: FIFA will review Atlético’s complaint within weeks.
A ruling could come before the summer transfer window opens on July 1, potentially reshaping the market for Álvarez. Barça may face immediate scrutiny over its recruitment practices, while Atlético’s hardline stance could deter rivals from pursuing their players. The saga is now a legal battle that could redefine how Spanish clubs engage with contracted players. Read at GNews.io
Why this matters
This standoff exposes the toxic transfer culture between Spain’s two biggest clubs, where public posturing and legal threats have replaced traditional negotiation. Atlético’s refusal to engage with Laporta’s overtures signals a new era of zero-tolerance on player tampering, with FIFA’s mechanisms now under the spotlight. The case could set a precedent for how Europe’s top leagues police recruitment, especially amid rising contract values and the growing influence of agents and club officials outside permitted channels.
Frequently asked
What did Joan Laporta say about Julián Álvarez?
Laporta called Álvarez a "top-level player" who could fit Barcelona’s rebuilding plans, suggesting the club could pursue him when his contract allows. His remarks were made at a supporters’ event and framed as aspirational rather than an immediate bid.
Why is Atlético filing a complaint with FIFA?
Atlético alleges Barcelona violated FIFA’s Article 18bis by attempting to influence Álvarez’s contractual status through improper contact with the player and his representatives, including a meeting in May 2024.
What sanctions could Barcelona face?
If FIFA upholds Atlético’s complaint, Barça could face fines, transfer bans, or other disciplinary measures. The club may also be ordered to cease all contact with Álvarez until his contract expires in 2026.
Is Julián Álvarez for sale?
Atlético has stated unequivocally that Álvarez is not for sale and remains part of their 2026-27 project. His release clause is reported at €100 million, but the club is not entertaining offers.
What’s the timeline for FIFA’s response?
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has 30 days to acknowledge Atlético’s complaint. A decision could come before the summer transfer window opens on July 1, potentially impacting Barça’s summer plans.
Could this affect other player transfers?
Yes. The case could set a precedent for how clubs engage with contracted players, deterring rivals from pursuing players outside permitted channels and increasing scrutiny over agent and official interactions.
