Atlético Madrid files FIFA complaint against Barcelona over alleged illegal approach for striker Julián Álvarez

The complaint

Atletico Madrid filed a formal complaint with FIFA on 30 June, accusing Barcelona of making illegal contact with striker Julian Alvarez. The Madrid club alleges that Barcelona approached the 26-year-old without permission and encouraged him to force a transfer, violating FIFA's regulations on player approaches during a protected contract period. Barcelona confirmed to AFP that it had received FIFA's notification of the complaint. Atletico also submitted a parallel complaint to the Spanish football federation (RFEF), which initially declined to comment but later opened disciplinary proceedings.

Alvarez's desire to leave

Alvarez, who moved to Atletico from Manchester City in 2024 for a reported €85 million, publicly stated his wish to depart during the 2026 World Cup. After Argentina's group-stage match against Austria on 22 June, he told reporters:

I spoke with the people at the club I had to speak with, and I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream.

He did not specify a destination, but Spanish media have consistently reported that the 2022 World Cup winner dreams of joining Barcelona, the former club of his idol Lionel Messi. Barcelona is seeking a successor to Robert Lewandowski, who left at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The offers and rejections

Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed in early July that the club had made a €100 million offer for Alvarez. Speaking at a Spanish football federation event in New York before the World Cup final, Laporta said:

We have an offer ready. He is a player our coach wants, and that's why we presented the offer to Atletico Madrid.

He added that the bid would not remain open indefinitely. Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin firmly rejected the approach and any higher sums.

We do not want to transfer him. We did not accept the €100 million offer, nor will we accept one of €150 or €200.

Real Madrid had already made a €150 million bid on 9 June, which Atletico also turned down. Spanish media interpreted that offer as a tactic by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to complicate a potential transfer to Barcelona and to fulfil an election campaign promise.

Disciplinary proceedings

On 30 July, the RFEF's disciplinary committee opened a case against Barcelona for approaching a player under contract. The committee has given Barcelona a deadline to present its arguments. Atletico had warned in June that it would denounce Barcelona for "negotiating with a player under contract during the protected period," as Gil Marin stated. The FIFA complaint and the domestic proceedings could lead to sanctions if Barcelona is found to have breached transfer regulations.

Timeline of the dispute

Alvarez's contract with Atletico runs until 30 June 2030 and includes a release clause of €500 million. The dispute now sits with football's governing bodies, while Atletico insists it will not sell its star forward.