Barcelona captain’s comments on Atletico forward creates tension ahead of Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo has never hidden his admiration for top players, and his latest comments about Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez have attracted plenty of attention ahead of the clash between the two sides.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, the Uruguayan defender was asked about the Argentine forward and did not hold back in his praise. 

“He’s a great player and for me, he’s one of the best strikers in the world. You can see the quality he has.”

With rumours continuing to link Alvarez to Barcelona ahead of the summer, Araujo was also asked about the possibility of the forward joining the Catalan club. 

As expected from the team captain, he responded with confidence, underlining the stature of Barcelona in world football.

“The best players have to be at the best club, which is us. That’s obvious. But it’s not my job to do that work or make that decision.”

Reaction at Atletico Madrid

However, those comments have reportedly not been well received inside the Atletico Madrid dressing room. 

According to Mundo Deportivo, the La Liga club is currently standing firmly behind Alvarez, who is going through a difficult period both on and off the pitch. 

Julian Alvarez has been linked to Barcelona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The striker has not scored in La Liga since November, and his overall performances have not matched the level he previously showed.

Inside the squad, though, there is a strong belief in the Argentine’s ability to bounce back. 

Teammates remain confident that he will rediscover his best form, and the coaching staff are said to be giving him full support during this challenging spell.

Not taken well

From Atletico’s perspective, Araujo’s remarks were poorly timed, especially with a direct clash between the two teams just around the corner. 

Some within the club feel that the comments unintentionally put extra pressure on Alvarez by dragging him further into transfer speculation.

There is also a sense that the statement about “the best players” belonging at Barcelona could be seen as a slight towards Atletico’s project. 

While the comments may not have been intended that way, they have reportedly not gone down well in the dressing room.