Atlético Madrid has once again shut the door on a Julián Álvarez departure. Miguel Ángel Gil Marín confirmed the Argentine forward remains part of the club's plans and said Atlético needs him to compete among Europe's elite, but one particular comment drew attention amid the reports linking the player with Barcelona.
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Atlético closes the Julián Álvarez case: Did Gil Marín take a shot at Barcelona?
Atlético Madrid has once again shut the door on a Julián Álvarez departure. Miguel Ángel Gil Marín confirmed the Argentine forward remains part of the club's plans and said Atlético needs him to compete among Europe's elite
The Atlético Madrid CEO did not directly name the Catalan club, but he delivered a strong message about what he believes is outside influence on the club's decisions.
“We cannot allow other clubs and their friendly media to decide what we have to do, dictate our sporting strategy and disrespect us,” Gil Marín told EFE.
His comments come after months of reports surrounding Barcelona's interest in Julián Álvarez, while Arsenal has also emerged as a possible destination for the Argentine in recent hours.
Atlético Madrid confirms Julián Álvarez will stay
Beyond that message, Gil Marín was explicit about Atlético's plans for its striker.
“Atlético Madrid, like every big club, is built with great players, and I am certain Julián is one of them, as well as a great professional,” he said.
Atlético's intention is not only to keep Álvarez but also to help him reach his full potential.
“We are going to help Julián and continue taking care of him so that he can give us his full potential, because we need him to continue competing among Europe's biggest clubs,” Gil Marín explained.
He also made another notable comment regarding the player's entourage: “We have to understand that Julián has not had the best advisers around him regarding his professional career in recent months.”
Julián Álvarez is under contract with Atlético Madrid until June 2030, and the club has repeatedly insisted that he is not for sale, pointing to his €500 million release clause.
Was Gil Marín's message aimed at Barcelona?
Gil Marín did not mention Barcelona by name, meaning it cannot be stated as fact that his comments were specifically aimed at the Catalan club.
However, they come amid months of speculation surrounding Julián Álvarez's future and a potential move to Barcelona.
During the 2026 World Cup, the striker asked for a transfer to the Catalan club without directly naming it, while Atlético publicly maintained its position that it would not negotiate his departure.
Reports have now also linked Arsenal with the forward, but Atlético's message remains unchanged: Julián is part of the club's plans.
“It is clear that we are not as powerful as they are, but we have values. Atlético supporters are not going to allow ourselves to be contaminated. Atleti is strong when we are all together,” Gil Marín added.
With those comments, Atlético's CEO has once again attempted to put an end to the speculation: Atlético Madrid is counting on Julián Álvarez and has no plans to let the Argentine forward leave.
