Video: Why Atletico Madrid forced Alvarez to play knowing he would be booed

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin overruled manager Diego Simeone to ensure Julian Alvarez featured against Villarreal

- The Argentine striker was jeered from the moment his name was read out as a substitute at the Metropolitano

- Arsenal and Barcelona are both reported to be interested in signing Alvarez, who has been pushing for a move away

Julian Alvarez's turbulent time at Atletico Madrid descended further into chaos during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal, when the Argentine striker was subjected to sustained booing from the club's own supporters throughout the match.

Why Julian Alvarez was forced to play

Reports from Spanish journalist Juan Jesus suggest the hostile reception was not spontaneous.

According to Jesus, club CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin directly ordered that Alvarez be included in the squad specifically so that fans could turn on him, a strategy described as a deliberate "humiliation campaign" designed to accelerate his departure from the club.

The objective was to use the Metropolitano crowd as leverage, souring the atmosphere around Alvarez to the point where a transfer would become unavoidable.

The tactic appeared to achieve its intended effect. Alvarez was greeted with boos the moment the club announcer called his name from the substitutes' bench, and sections of the crowd were heard chanting for him to leave. When he entered the match in the 66th minute, the jeering intensified.

Will Julian Alvarez leave Atletico Madrid?

Both Arsenal and Barcelona have registered interest in signing Alvarez, who has been pushing for a move. The Argentine is understood to prefer a switch to Barcelona, though Atletico appear reluctant to sell to a domestic rival, making Arsenal a more likely destination.

Atletico signed Alvarez from Manchester City just over a year ago in a deal worth a significant fee, making the decision to publicly orchestrate a backlash against him a striking one from the Spanish club's leadership.

Arsenal interested in Julian Alvarez

We shared details about Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's direct approach to convince Álvarez to join the Gunners, as tensions rise in the transfer market with Barcelona also vying for his signature.

Despite Álvarez's long-held dream of playing at Camp Nou, Atlético Madrid's preference to sell him to Arsenal adds a tantalising twist to this summer's transfer saga.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.