Julian Alvarez ends agent relationship after Barcelona move fails to materialise

Julian Alvarez has ended his professional relationship with agent Fernando Hidalgo after almost a decade of working together, with the Atletico de Madrid forward reportedly disappointed by the way his future was handled during the summer of 2026.

Transfer-market expert Ruben Uria announced the decision on X, in a post reported by Spanish newspaper Sport. Alvarez is understood to have blamed Hidalgo after his hoped-for move to Barcelona failed to happen.

The development has been welcomed at Atletico de Madrid, who had expressed frustration throughout the summer over what they considered poor advice given to the player about managing his future.

Atletico chief executive Gil Marin directly criticised people around Alvarez during that period, saying: “There are people who took responsibility for misleading and deceiving him.”

Alvarez is currently without an agent, although he and his family are already receiving several offers from representatives hoping to take charge of his career.

The 26-year-old remains under contract at Atletico de Madrid until June 2030, meaning his immediate future is settled. His main priority, according to Uria, is to rediscover his best form on the pitch at the Metropolitano.

Uria wrote on X on 8 October 2026: “Julian Alvarez. The Atletico de Madrid forward ends his professional relationship with agent Fernando Hidalgo. Julian was disappointed with the way his future was managed this summer. He is dispensing with Hidalgo’s services and will soon have a new agent.”

The decision brings an end to a long-standing professional partnership between Alvarez and Hidalgo. It follows a summer in which the player’s future became a source of tension, particularly after his ambition to play for Barcelona was not realised.

For now, Alvarez remains an Atletico player and is contracted to the Madrid club for the next four seasons beyond the current campaign. With no immediate change to his contractual position, the focus has shifted towards his performances and finding new representation.