Argentina forward Julian Alvarez’s contract with Atletico until ۲۰۳۰ means approach breached rules.
Published On ۲۸ Oct ۲۰۲۶
Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez came at a modest cost after the Spanish FA fined the club ۶۰۲ euros ($۶۷۰) following a complaint by Atletico Madrid over contact with the striker.
Atletico accused Barcelona of approaching the Argentinian, whose contract runs until June ۲۰۳۰, without first notifying them in writing.
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The sanction falls under Article ۱۳۳ of the federation’s regulations. Atletico also complained to FIFA, which declared it had no jurisdiction over the case.
For Alvarez, the repair work has been rather more public.
The striker scored Atletico’s winner against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, finding the net for a second successive match as his side moved within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona, before apologising for expressing his desire to join their rivals.
“It was a mistake. I understand why the fans are angry. If I were a fan, I’d be angry, too. Especially given how they’ve supported me since I arrived,” Alvarez said, referring to an interview during the ۲۰۲۶ World Cup in which he said that he “wanted to fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona, triggering a transfer dispute that stretched through the summer transfer window.
Frequently booed by the home fans this season, Alvarez received a standing ovation from sections of the crowd after scoring on Saturday, a sign of a thawing relationship with the Metropolitano faithful.
Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City in ۲۰۲۴ in a deal worth up to ۹۵ million euros ($۱۱۱m). After scoring ۳۶ goals in ۱۰۳ appearances at Man City, Alvarez has registered ۵۱ goals in ۱۱۵ games for Atletico.
