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Atlético Madrid have taken to social media to rebuff Real Madrid's bid for Julián Álvarez -Credit:Thomas COEX / AFP via Getty Images
Just when it appeared the war of words between Atlético Madrid and their La Liga rivals had died down regarding the future of star striker Julián Álvarez, the tale has taken another bizarre twist.
On Tuesday, Real Madrid released a statement explaining that an offer had been made and declined for the Argentine international worth $173.24 million.
“Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the meeting of the Board of Directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atlético de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julián Álvarez,” the team stated.
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Álvarez scored 20 goals in 49 games across all competitions this past season -Credit:Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
“After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atlético de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player's release clause.”
Atlético were quick to respond to Real’s statement, taking to social media as they had done previously following reports of interest from Barcelona, to poke fun at their rivals, commenting, “Official statement with our clarifications regarding the official statement from our neighbors @realmadrid: 1. They cut out the part of the Pope's video where he said he was an Atleti fan too.
“2. You must have confused education with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don't thank you for anything. 3. We neither study nor consider any offer for Julián. 4. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than @FCBarcelona_es does.”
The first point was a reference to Pope Leon XIV's recent meeting with the local diocesan community, speaking to thousands from a stage on the field at Real’s Bernabéu. Following his visit, Real shared a clip in which he said, “I suppose that for a footballer, scoring a goal in this stadium is something that leaves a lasting mark on their life. But Don José, today the Church of Madrid, has scored a stunning goal for the ages.”
During his visit, the pontiff was also pressed on whether he was a Real or Barcelona fan, to which he replied, as per The Guardian, “That’s easy: the pope is for all teams, but Robert Prevost is for Real Madrid!”
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But Atleti’s social team was not done there, going on to add, “P.S. Taking advantage of the good relationship with your new president, let's see if you stop "stealing" players from our Academy. Thanks a lot, @realmadrid!”
This all comes a matter of weeks after the Atlético social team went after Barcelona in a string of strange posts after former Manchester City forward Álvarez - who has also been heavily linked with a move to Premier League champions Arsenal - was linked with a move to the La Liga champions.
One such post included a photoshopped image of Barca star Lamine Yamal in an Atlético jersey along with the caption, “HERE WE GO! We have sent a fax to @FCBarcelona_es with our transfer offer: 4 tickets for tomorrow's Bad Bunny concert, an annual subscription to ABC, and a bag of sunflower seeds. We eagerly await the response to prepare the 'announce'.”
The series of posts concluded with a message that read, “In recent months, we’ve been suffering a smear campaign against one of our players. Leaked information with ulterior motives, 'fake news,' constant disrespect, the culé version of the propaganda machine inventing little stories, calls before direct matchups...
“But of course, it wouldn’t occur to us either to have the referees’ vice president on our payroll or to resort to political favors to register players. RESPECT and VALUES.”
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