Atletico’s Savage Social Media Response
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made good on his re-election promise this week, officially tabling a €150 million offer for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez. The response from the capital’s other half was nothing short of spectacular.
In a formal communiqué released on Monday, Real Madrid confirmed they had submitted a bid for the Argentine World Cup winner, who scored 20 goals and provided 9 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Atletico in the 2025-26 season. The offer, a cornerstone of Perez’s campaign platform, was intended to signal the return of the “Galactico” era to the Santiago Bernabeu.
But rather than engage in negotiations, Atletico Madrid’s social media team responded with a series of posts that have since gone viral across Spanish football.
A Masterclass in Trolling
The first response was simple and devastating: a series of laughing emojis in reply to Real Madrid’s official announcement. The Colchonero faithful immediately erupted in delight, sensing their club was about to deliver a statement of defiance.
What followed was a four-point “clarification” that left no doubt about Atletico’s stance. The club accused Real Madrid of editing a video of Pope Leo XIV, claiming the Pontiff had also expressed support for Atletico — and that the clip had been conveniently trimmed. “You confused education with gratitude,” read the second point, “but so there is no doubt: we thank you for nothing.”
The third point was unambiguous: “We are not studying or evaluating any offer for Julian.” The fourth was perhaps the most cutting: “How could we not get along when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona?”
Historical Tensions Boil Over
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has long maintained an uneasy coexistence with his counterpart at the Bernabeu. The transfer saga has reopened old wounds regarding the relationship between the two clubs, with Atletico’s statement directly referencing Real Madrid’s practice of “stealing” players from their youth academy — a recurring grievance in the heated Madrid derby rivalry.
“Taking advantage of the good relations with your new president, let’s see if you stop stealing players from our academy,” the club posted, a pointed reference to a long history of young talents crossing the city divide.
What Happens Next?
For now, Julian Alvarez remains firmly an Atletico Madrid player. The 26-year-old forward, instrumental in Diego Simeone’s system, is under contract with a release clause that Atletico have shown no intention of entertaining. With Perez’s promise of a marquee signing now met with a brick wall at the Metropolitano, Real Madrid may be forced to look elsewhere — perhaps returning to their reported alternative target, Michael Olise of Bayern Munich.
One thing is certain: the next Madrid derby will have an extra edge, if such a thing is even possible.
Source: RMC Sport / BFMTV
