REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Julian Alvarez's already frosty relationship with Atlético Madrid took an extraordinary turn on Sunday, and it wasn't really about football at all. The Argentine was booed relentlessly by his own supporters during the 2-2 draw with Villarreal, but reports out of Spain suggest that reaction wasn't an unfortunate accident of timing; it was the plan.
With Arsenal and Barcelona interested in the Argentine, who has been pushing for the move, Atletico's hierarchy appears to have used their own fanbase to humiliate their own player in their home stadium. Fans were used as leverage to force a deal through for the striker.
Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez in action for Argentina
Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez in action for Argentina
Atletico Madrid Launched Humiliation Campaign on Purpose
REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo
According to Spanish Journalist Juan Jesus, Diego Simeone didn't want to include Alvarez in the squad for the Villarreal game at all, originally leaving him out in the club's opening game of the season against Malaga.
However, his decision to leave Alvarez out in this weekend's game was overruled by Club CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who directly ordered that the striker be subjected to what was described as a 'humiliation campaign' in front of the Metropolitano Crowd. He explained:
The stated aim was to get fans to turn on Alvarez to the point where he'd make the move away, with Arsenal a likely destination. The Argentine would prefer a move to Barcelona, but Atletico do not seem keen on selling to a rival.
The plan worked at least in part, as Alvarez was met with a hostile reception from the moment the club announcer read out his name on the substitute bench, and fans could be heard chanting for him to leave for good while he warmed up.
He'd started on the bench, was jeered again as he came on in the 66th minute, and the boos only grew louder from there. For a club that spent too much to sign him from Manchester City only a year ago, orchestrating a public backlash against their own player is a strong statement.
Whilst there is strong interest in Alvarez, Barcelona are unable to finance a deal for the striker, with Atlético Madrid saying the only way he would leave would be if Barcelona paid his huge £450 million release clause. Although the club now seem willing to let him go, they would prefer he goes overseas to a club like Arsenal.
Sent Down The Tunnel Alone at Full-Time
Reuters/Paul Childs
The humiliation didn't end with the final whistle. After Giuliano Simeone's late equaliser rescued a point, Alvarez immediately went straight down the tunnel instead of joining his teammates on the pitch, drawing yet more boos from the stands.
Simeone later suggested this wasn't Alvarez's own call, but a decision agreed with the club in advance: “It was a club decision to not let Julian Alvarez go over with his teammates to greet the fans."
Fan frustration has since spilled into physical gestures too, with images circulating of supporters throwing club scarves at Alvarez in apparent protest.
Via ESPN, goalkeeper Jan Oblak said: "I think we all have to be united. Julian is here, he's with us in the team, and while he's with us, we'll support him."