FC Barcelona v Atletico de Madrid - Copa del Rey 2025/2026 - Semi-final, second leg
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Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club have a good relationship with Atletico Madrid now after a summer which saw Los Colchoneros angered by the Catalans’ pursuit of Julian Alvarez.
Atletico refused to sell Alvarez to Barcelona and even filed a complaint about the saga which led to the Catalans being handed a paltry fine.
Speaking before today’s match between the two sides, Laporta says all is now well between the two club and that the Alvarez matter is “resolved.”
“Relations are good at both an institutional and personal level. And we want to keep it that way,” he said, per Mundo Deportivo.
“Relations went through a difficult period, but we have a good relationship and the appreciation is mutual.
“[Alvarez] is an Atlético de Madrid player, not our player. And as our coach and Simeone have said, the issue is resolved.”
Barcelona failure to sign Alvarez led to Raphinha being installed as a No. 9 instead and he’s gone on to enjoy a brilliant start to the season. Laporta, who handed the Brazilian a new contract this week, thinks he’s the best around.
”Raphinha is a very powerful number 9, no matter who you sign. And he doesn’t just play as a number 9, he moves all over the field,” he said. “He’s the best player in the world in his position, very complete.”
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