'We need strikers' - Simeone backs Alvarez after Atletico Madrid fans whistle forward throughout Villarreal clash amid Barcelona interest

Alvarez experienced a barrage of whistles and jeers from home supporters before, during, and after his substitute appearance against Villarreal. The 26-year-old was introduced in the 66th minute as Atletico sought a winner, but his presence highlighted deep divisions among the fanbase stemming from his desire to join Barcelona.

Alvarez's name was loudly whistled by fans when it was announced among the Atletico substitutes pre-match, and again when he was introduced in the 66th minute, with the home side chasing all three points. At full-time, as his teammates stayed on the pitch to applaud Atletico's fans, Alvarez headed alone down the tunnel, as he was targeted by more whistles.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Simeone made his stance unequivocally clear. "I'm not here to give advice. I have to focus on my job, which is to give my best on the field. If we want to win a title, we need to be united, have strikers, and have top-level strikers. We all need to work accordingly," Simeone said.

"People at the club told me that the club decided he shouldn't be near the stands and the fans. The decision was made by the club to keep him away and separate him from the rest of the team, so he would come to the locker room instead. we need to stick together. When we did, we were able to achieve great things. We need strikers. We have them, and we need to take care of them."

The tension stems from a protracted transfer saga in which Alvarez publicly expressed his desire to leave Madrid, with Barcelona identifying him as a top target. However, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin closed the door on any potential departure after setting a €150m valuation deadline in June that suitors failed to meet.

Despite interest from both Barcelona and Arsenal, Los Rojiblancos have stood firm in their refusal to sell the World Cup winner to a direct domestic rival, leaving the striker at a crossroads as the transfer window draws to a close.

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has reaffirmed the club's desire to keep Julian Alvarez, while taking aim at those he believes have influenced the Argentine's career decisions in recent months. "We are going to help Julian and continue to take care of him so that he can give us his full potential, because we need him to continue competing among the greats of Europe," Gil Marin said.

The Atletico chief also appeared to criticise Alvarez's advisors, adding: "We must understand that Julian has not had the best advisors around him regarding his professional career in recent months."

Gil Marin insisted the club would not allow outside influence to dictate its sporting strategy, saying: "We cannot allow other clubs and their affiliated media to dictate what we have to do, dictate our sporting strategy, and disrespect us. That's precisely what they're trying to do - divide us. It's clear we're not as powerful as they are but we have values. We Atletico fans won't let them corrupt us. Atleti is strong when we're all together."

Atletico Madrid will now focus on restoring harmony within the squad as they prepare for their second La Liga fixture of the season, an away trip to face Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on August 29.

With the club refusing to sanction a sale and Simeone determined to fully reintegrate Alvarez, the Argentine must rebuild his relationship with the Metropolitano faithful through his performances on the pitch while his manager continues to shield him from ongoing media scrutiny.