These are not easy times for Julian Álvarez. © ANSA / Kiko Huesca

Atlético star Álvarez is booed by his own fans.

Atlético Madrid's star striker Julian Álvarez, who wants to leave the club, was badly booed by his own fans during the home game against FC Villarreal (2:2).

August 24, 2026

From: dpa/det

Even when the name of the 26-year-old professional footballer was announced in the line-up announcements, there was a chorus of boos from the stands.

Even when he came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, several fans loudly voiced their displeasure. After the match, Álvarez walked alone towards the dressing room, and an Atlético scarf flew from the stands to his feet.

Álvarez would like to join FC Barcelona. A possible transfer of the Argentine international has been speculated about for weeks, but Real Madrid are unwilling to let him move to Barça.

Coach Simeone comments

“If Atlético Madrid wants to win a title, we have to present a united front. We need strikers – and top-class strikers at that. To achieve that, we all have to work accordingly. We have that, and we have to nurture it,” said Atlético coach Diego Simeone after the league match against Villarreal, Alvarez’s first competitive game since the World Cup in the summer.

Simeone also explained that Álvarez's decision to go directly to the tunnel after the game instead of joining his teammates to celebrate with the fans was a club decision. Álvarez's contract in Madrid runs until 2030, and his market value is estimated at around €120 million.