Baena says Alvarez’s Atletico exit comments caused dressing-room frustration

Alex Baena says Julian Alvarez’s public suggestion that he wanted to leave Atletico Madrid angered team-mates, with the midfielder insisting it was the striker’s manner of expressing his ambitions that caused the biggest problem.

Alvarez became the subject of major transfer speculation in Spain in June after revealing that he had discussed his future with Atletico. He indicated that leaving the club could be the best outcome for everyone involved.

The Argentina international also referred to his ambition to fulfil a dream, prompting reports that he could move to Barcelona. The Catalan club subsequently confirmed their interest in signing the forward during the summer.

Atletico Madrid refused to sell Alvarez, while Barcelona sporting director Deco later confirmed that his club had submitted an offer for the player.

Baena, speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, acknowledged that Alvarez’s comments had created discontent within the Atletico dressing room.

“It feels a bit strange when a teammate says publicly that he wants to leave. It didn’t sit very well with us,” said Baena.

“I can understand a player having doubts if a club like Barca or Real Madrid comes in for you, but, ultimately, it was the way he went about it that really annoyed us at Atletico.”

The midfielder said Atletico’s players would have accepted whatever decision Alvarez made, but believed the situation had been handled in a way that caused unnecessary frustration.

Baena added that the priority now was to move on, with Alvarez remaining an Atletico player.

The forward later apologised to Atletico supporters in October after receiving a hostile reception at the Metropolitano earlier in the season. The whistles aimed at him have since become less frequent, although some discontent among the home fans remains.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has continued to support Alvarez and said the club would allow him time to recover his best form.

“He’s a great player and we love him,” Simeone said on Sunday.

Alvarez’s future had become a major talking point after his comments in June, but Atletico’s decision not to sell him brought an end to the prospect of a move during the summer. Barcelona’s interest and the offer confirmed by Deco had not been enough to secure the Argentina international’s departure.

Baena’s comments provide an insight into the reaction inside the Atletico squad, where the issue was not necessarily Alvarez’s wish to consider another opportunity but the fact that he had made that desire public.