Roberto Gomez Criticizes Barcelona's Conduct in Julian Alvarez Deal

Roberto Gomez has launched a blistering attack on Barcelona over their pursuit of Julian Alvarez and used the fallout from the Rodri deal to criticise Real Madrid as well.

The Spanish journalist, speaking on La Tribu on Radio Marca, said he had been struck by Rodri’s unveiling as a Barcelona player – and even more by what the midfielder revealed about his recent past.

Rodri, Gomez noted, admitted during his presentation that he had held talks with Real Madrid officials before ultimately choosing Barcelona. For Gomez, that detail exposed a serious misstep at the Bernabeu.

“I believe Real Madrid made a grave mistake in letting Rodri leave, because he would have given the midfield a major boost,” he said, calling the Spain international “a world champion, a wonderful player, indeed the best,” and adding that “we have always valued his level” as he wished him success in Barcelona colours.

The praise for Rodri was lavish. The verdict on how the big clubs handled the Alvarez saga was anything but.

Barcelona in the firing line

When the conversation turned to Julian Alvarez, Gomez’s tone hardened. The Argentina forward, he stressed, had every right to decide his own future. The problem, in his eyes, lay with Barcelona’s conduct during negotiations involving Atletico Madrid.

Gomez accused the Catalan club of acting in the shadows.

“Barcelona (manoeuvred) behind Atletico’s back, and in a very despicable manner. This is unacceptable in football,” he said, sharpening the attack by branding the club’s behaviour “arrogant”, “conceited” and “condescending”.

The criticism cut directly at the way Barcelona allegedly approached the deal, rather than at Alvarez or Atletico. For Gomez, the ethics of the transfer market had been crossed.

Florentino Perez singled out for praise

Amid the crossfire, one figure emerged unscathed in Gomez’s assessment: Florentino Perez.

“The only person who acted properly in all of this is Florentino Perez,” he insisted. According to Gomez, the Real Madrid president first spoke directly with Alvarez and then followed protocol by contacting Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo.

In a transfer window already loaded with tension between Spain’s giants, Gomez’s words add another layer of intrigue. Barcelona accused of backdoor manoeuvres. Real Madrid condemned for letting a world champion midfielder slip away. And Florentino Perez, in this version of events, cast as the lone executive who kept to the unwritten rules of the game.