Alex Baena reveals Atletico Madrid dressing-room tension over Julian Alvarez exit comments

Alex Baena has described the strain inside the Atletico Madrid dressing room after Julian Alvarez publicly expressed a desire to leave the club last summer.

The Spain international said Alvarez’s comments about his future had a clear effect on the atmosphere among the players, although he stressed that the issue was the way the Argentina forward made his position known rather than his wish to pursue a new challenge.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Baena said the squad found it uncomfortable when one of their team-mates openly discussed wanting to depart.

“It is normal for it to be a little strange when one of my team-mates publicly announces that he wants to leave. We did not really like it, but I understand that a player might hesitate if he receives an offer from Barcelona or Real Madrid,” Baena said, as reported by Foot Mercato.

Baena added that the players would have supported Alvarez regardless of the decision he eventually made about his future. However, he said the public nature of the announcement had caused the greatest concern within the squad.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder revealed that he had not personally spoken to Alvarez about the situation. He believes, though, that the forward understood the consequences of his statements and the possible effect they could have on his relationship with his team-mates.

Alvarez later apologised to the rest of the squad for the way the situation had unfolded. Baena viewed that apology positively, saying it showed the forward recognised the discontent caused by his comments.

Despite the dispute, Baena insisted Alvarez’s commitment to Atletico Madrid had not changed. The forward continues to work hard in training, he said, and is focused on regaining his best form and helping the club in its various competitions.

Baena also acknowledged that Atletico Madrid supporters had valid reasons to feel unhappy about the episode, given the public statements and the speculation surrounding Alvarez’s future.

The Argentina international became the focus of widespread media attention during the previous summer transfer window after indicating that he wanted to leave Atletico Madrid. Barcelona were strongly interested in signing him to strengthen their attack, particularly after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

Atletico Madrid refused to negotiate with Barcelona over Alvarez and remained determined to keep the forward. He is currently in his third season with the Madrid club, having joined in 2024 from Manchester City.