Atletico Madrid humiliates Real with scathing statement after rejecting Julián Álvarez offer

Atletico Madrid rejected a €150 million offer from Real Madrid for striker Julián Álvarez on Tuesday, then responded with a public statement that ridiculed its rival.

Florentino Pérez had promised during his presidential campaign to sign a “galáctico” of the caliber of Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaká. Real ultimately turned to Atletico’s Argentine striker, officially announcing it had “tabled a €150 million offer to Atlético de Madrid for the rights of Julián Álvarez” following a board meeting. The merengue statement noted that Atletico had “expressed its gratitude” before refusing, citing the player’s release clause.

This wording apparently did not sit well with the colchonero club. After an initial reaction of laughing emojis on social media, Atletico published a counter-statement with a sharp tone, titled “our clarifications regarding the official statement from our Real Madrid neighbors”.

The club dismantled the opposing version in four points: “1) You cut the video of the Pope in which he said he was also an Atlético supporter. 2) You probably confused politeness and gratitude, but to be clear: we thank you for nothing. 3) We are not studying or evaluating any offer concerning Julián. 4) How can we not get along with you, when you make us laugh even more than FC Barcelona?”

Atletico concluded with a pointed postscript, asking Real to “stop stealing players from our academy” thanks to your “good relations with your new president”.

The exchange illustrates the persistent tension between the two Madrid clubs in the transfer market, and places Julián Álvarez, signed last summer from Manchester City, at the heart of a power struggle that goes far beyond the sporting realm.