FC Barcelona sporting vice president Rafa Yuste has hit back at Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin over his controversial statements.
Yuste was in Monaco today, where he represented Barcelona at the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League draw for the league phase.
The Catalan giants were drawn against Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Como at home, while they will travel to face PSG, Sporting CP, Galatasaray and Sabah.
Before the draw, Yuste was seen speaking with Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo amid tense relations between the two clubs due to the Julian Alvarez transfer saga.
Shortly afterwards, Atletico CEO Gil Marin launched a scathing attack on Barcelona, while also reiterating that Alvarez would not be allowed to join the Blaugrana.
Yuste shockedYuste has responded in kind to Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Speaking to the media soon after, Yuste responded to the statements made by Atletico Madrid’s CEO in which he attacked Barcelona.
“What surprises me is that, knowing Gil Marín, he would make these statements. It’s a lack of courtesy and respect. I mean, our president, our sporting department, the entire club, have been an example of hard work and professionalism for many years,” he said.
“His words cross a red line. I don’t understand them at all. I don’t agree with them and they anger me,” Yuste added.
The Barcelona vice-president acknowledged that he had spoken with Cerezo and Gil Marin.
“We greeted each other because I believe that in life you have to have values such as courtesy. I exchanged words with both President Enrique Cerezo and the Gil family, and we shared our feelings,” Yuste explained.
“I told them that we’re calm. Our conscience doesn’t allow us to do things outside the parameters of the club,” he added.
The Julian Alvarez saga has created tension between Barcelona and Atletico. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
When asked whether Barcelona now considers Alvarez a lost cause, Yuste stopped short of saying no.
“The transfer window closes in a few days and that’s it. I’m genuinely very sorry about this. What I have to do is defend the club and the professionals, such as Deco and Bojan. This is crossing a red line,” he insisted.
“We respect Atletico as an institution and all footballers in the world. If a player wants to come here, that excites us,” Yuste noted.
A demanding Champions League drawYuste also assessed Barcelona’s Champions League draw, describing it as “very demanding.”
“We’ll have to give everything we can, which is a lot. With humility, hard work and the great team we have,” he said.
“We’ve just won our second consecutive La Liga title. We’ve strengthened the team very well, thanks to Deco, Bojan, the president and the board. As Hansi says, we have to take things step by step if we want to aspire to the maximum,” Yuste concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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