Julian Alvarez was booed by Atletico Madrid supporters before, during and after their 2-2 draw with Villarreal as speculation continues over the forward’s future at the club.
Alvarez started the La Liga match on the bench but was jeered by sections of the home crowd while warming up. The reaction became louder when he was introduced in the 66th minute.
The Argentina international then went directly down the tunnel at the final whistle, rather than joining his team-mates on the pitch, prompting further boos from the Atletico support.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone said afterwards that Alvarez’s decision to head to the dressing room had been agreed by the club in advance.
The forward said during the World Cup that he wanted to leave Atletico to “fulfil my dream”. He has since been linked with possible moves to Arsenal and Barcelona, with the transfer deadline falling on 1 September.
On the pitch, Atletico twice came from behind to secure a point after Villarreal had looked on course for victory.
Marc Pubill put the hosts ahead just before the hour mark with a curling finish. Villarreal responded soon afterwards when Gerard Moreno converted from the penalty spot to level the match.
Villarreal moved in front after Atletico defender Robin le Normand was sent off in the 76th minute for a foul on Georges Mikautadze inside the penalty area. Mikautadze took responsibility for the resulting spot-kick and scored.
Atletico looked set to suffer defeat, but they found an equaliser with five minutes remaining. A quick counter-attack ended with Giuliano Simeone sliding the ball into the net to rescue a point for Diego Simeone’s side.
The result leaves Atletico with four points from their opening two La Liga matches, having won one and drawn one. Villarreal remain unbeaten but have drawn both of their first two games.
Despite the late equaliser, the most notable moment of the evening came from the response to Alvarez, whose position at Atletico remains uncertain with the transfer deadline approaching.
His reported interest in leaving has created an uneasy atmosphere around the forward, and the reaction from the home supporters was evident throughout his involvement against Villarreal. The boos began before he had entered the match, intensified when he came on and continued after the final whistle.
