Julian Alvarez's agent fired back at Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, after the executive's comments about the forward's advisers. Julian Alvarez‘s representative fired back at Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, escalating the growing tension between the club and the Argentine forward’s camp amid ongoing transfer speculation. The exchange stemmed from comments Gil Marin made to EFE, in which he insisted Atletico Madrid have no intention of letting Alvarez leave. “We have to understand that Julian has not had the best advisers around him regarding his professional career in recent months,” the Atletico Madrid CEO said, a remark widely read as a direct dig at the forward’s entourage. Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, responded within hours on Instagram, without naming Gil Marin directly. “Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it, he would have to lie again,” Hidalgo wrote, a pointed rebuttal that has only intensified the public rift between the two sides. The spat comes against the backdrop of months of speculation over Alvarez’s future. The forward is under contract with Atletico Madrid until 2030 and carries a €500 million release clause, and while Arsenal recently emerged as a suitor, Alvarez himself reportedly turned down a move to the Premier League club, reportedly still holding out hope for a transfer to Barcelona. Este domingo, partido disfrutón ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/tYg5xUcRBx— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 22, 2026 Julian Alvarez set for his LaLiga season debut Amid the ongoing tension with the club, Julian Alvarez is expected to make his 2026-27 LaLiga debut when Atletico Madrid host Villarreal on August 23. The Argentine was left out of the squad entirely for the Matchday 1 win over Malaga, with Simeone citing his fitness level after a demanding run with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. Simeone confirmed in a Saturday press conference that Alvarez would be included in the squad to face Villarreal. “Yes, he will enter tomorrow’s call-up, he’s better in his preparation. We will try to manage the difficult match tomorrow against a great rival“. The confirmation puts an end, at least for now, to speculation over whether the ongoing tension with Gil Marin’s camp would affect Alvarez’s playing time.