Atlético Madrid took the unusual step of hurrying Julián Álvarez straight down the tunnel after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal, keeping him away from the traditional post-match walk to salute the Frente Atlético end rather than risk another hostile reception from his own supporters.
The decision, taken by Diego Simeone's coaching staff, came at the end of a bruising afternoon at the Metropolitano for the Argentine striker, who is trying to force through a move to Barcelona and has found himself increasingly at odds with the fans who once idolised him.
Álvarez was jeered from the moment his name was read out by the stadium announcer, whistled again during the warm-up, and then booed loudly when Simeone sent him on as a 67th-minute substitute with the score locked at 1-1.
It got worse before it got better. When someone in the crowd threw him an Atlético scarf during the game, Álvarez wrapped it around his neck — a gesture supporters read as mocking given his public efforts to leave, and one that only sharpened the anger inside the stadium.
So when the final whistle went, with the rest of the squad walking over to applaud the Frente Atlético as usual, the club had Álvarez head straight to the dressing room instead, avoiding a repeat of the scenes and the abuse aimed at him throughout the 90 minutes.
Goalkeeper and captain Jan Oblak addressed the situation afterwards, telling DAZN: "I think that we all have to be united. Julián is with us in the team, while he's here we will support him. It's not a comfortable situation for anyone — I hope it's resolved and we're all happy at the end of the season."
Simeone was equally direct in his press conference, insisting he backs the fans' right to feel however they feel but drawing a line at abuse. "I respect the fans, this respect is absolute and it always has been, but of course I do not share in or accept insults or offences," he said, adding that there was no doubt about Álvarez's status at the club for now.
The tension traces back to Álvarez's summer campaign to force a move to Barcelona, who have been chasing the 2022 World Cup winner for months. Atlético have held firm publicly, insisting he will not leave for anything less than his release clause, reported at around €500 million (£428m) — a figure designed to be prohibitive.
On the pitch, it was an eventful afternoon regardless of the subplot around Álvarez. Marc Pubill had put Atlético ahead in the 59th minute before Gerard Moreno equalised from the penalty spot for Villarreal. Robin Le Normand was then sent off in the 76th minute, and Georges Mikautadze converted the resulting penalty to put the 10-man hosts behind before Giuliano Simeone rescued a point with an 85th-minute leveller.
With the transfer saga still unresolved and Atlético refusing to budge on their valuation, Sunday's scenes suggest the uneasy standoff between Álvarez and a section of the home support is far from over.
