Atletico Madrid to File Complaint Against Barcelona Over Julián Álvarez

The cold war between Spain’s two capital-letter giants has turned open and hostile. Atletico Madrid are preparing to take Barcelona to FIFA, accusing the Catalan club of illegally trying to prise away Julián Álvarez, the striker they made a centrepiece of their future barely a year ago.

Álvarez arrived at the Metropolitano from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 for around £81.8 million, a club-record sale for City and a statement signing for Atletico. He signed through to 2030. Long contract, prime age, huge fee. From Atletico’s point of view, there is no grey area: he is theirs, and any approach must go through them.

Barcelona, they say, have ignored that.

Gil Marín Draws a Line

Speaking to EFE, Atletico CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín did not bother to soften the blow.

“Our responsibility is to defend the interests of Atletico Madrid, and that is why we are going to file a complaint with FIFA against Barcelona for negotiating with a player who had a valid contract during the protected period,” he said.

This is not a warning shot. It is a formal escalation. Atletico believe Barça have crossed the line into tapping up a player still inside the so-called “protected period” of his contract, the phase in which FIFA regulations are at their strictest.

The anger at the Metropolitano, though, is not reserved solely for the club in blaugrana.

Álvarez Speaks, Atletico Bristle

On international duty with Argentina, fresh from a 2-0 World Cup win over Austria on Monday, Álvarez chose his moment – and, in Atletico’s eyes, chose it badly. Speaking to ESPN, he did not hide his intentions.

“I don’t think it’s the right moment to talk, but I also don’t want to hide. I try to be an honest person. I spoke with the people at [Atlético] who I needed to speak with. I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream.”

For a fanbase that had embraced him and a club that had built around him, those words landed hard. Honesty, yes. But also a very public invitation to come and get him.

Gil Marín did not disguise his disappointment.

“I deeply regret his comments. It wasn’t the right day to make those statements - it was Messi’s day and the Argentine national team’s day, not Julian’s,” he said.

The CEO acknowledged Álvarez’s ambition but stressed Atletico’s stance has not shifted.

“Julian has a dream, and we at Atletico have dreams too. It’s true that he’s spoken with us, but it’s also true that he’s fully aware of our position because we’ve been very clear. Atletico doesn’t want to transfer his rights. He’s a great player, and we’re very proud that he plays for us.”

So the picture is stark: a player openly stating he wants out, a club publicly insisting he is going nowhere, and a rival accused of working in the shadows.

Barcelona in the Firing Line

Gil Marín then turned his fire fully on Barcelona. Not just for the alleged approach, but for what he sees as a pattern of behaviour and a financial fantasy.

“Barcelona is disrespecting us; they think they can walk all over us, that we’re weak or stupid,” he said. “But what they’re actually showing the world is a way of acting that defines them. They’re lying to us, to the player, to the media, and they’re also lying to their own fans. They’re trying to make everyone believe they can take on a deal they’re actually not capable of handling.”

The timing is pointed. Álvarez is coming off a superb 2025-26 campaign: 20 goals and nine assists in Atletico colours, decisive in both domestic and European nights. He scored the goals that knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League quarter-finals and the Copa del Rey semi-finals. He hurt them on the pitch; now they are accused of trying to remove him from Atletico’s.

For Atletico, that only sharpens the sense of insult. First he becomes the man who eliminates Barça. Then Barça allegedly move for him without proper channels. Then the player himself talks about a “dream” transfer.

The tension writes itself.

A Familiar Accusation

This is not, Gil Marín insists, an isolated case.

“This isn’t the first time Barcelona has acted this way, and the soccer world is well aware of it. Last year, they did something very similar with Nico Williams and Athletic Club,” he concluded.

The reference is deliberate. By invoking previous disputes, Atletico’s chief is framing this not as a one-off misunderstanding, but as part of a wider complaint against the way Barcelona operate in the market.

Now the matter moves from press rooms and mixed zones to FIFA’s desks. Atletico will file, Barcelona will respond, Álvarez will keep playing and talking, and the rest of Europe will watch to see who blinks first – the club that won’t sell, the club that can’t stop chasing, or the striker determined to chase his dream.