How Julián Álvarez Could Potentially Walk Away From Atlético Madrid

A report published June 24, 2026, examines a legal scenario in which Julián Álvarez could leave Atlético Madrid and, ultimately, join Barcelona without an upfront release-fee payment. In an extreme case where the two clubs do not agree and no buyout is paid, the Spanish Football Federation would have to process the transfer first, while a Spanish court would later determine the compensation owed to Atlético.

According to Mundo Deportivo, FIFA would not have jurisdiction over a dispute between Barcelona and Atlético because it is a matter between two Spanish clubs governed by Spanish law. That means a complaint by Atlético to FIFA would likely go nowhere. The article says the situation is similar to the 2019 Antoine Griezmann case, when FIFA also stayed out and the matter was handled by the local federation. Atlético later proved there had been early contacts between Barcelona and the French striker, leading to a financial penalty for the Catalan club.

The relevant legal framework is Spain’s royal decree regulating the employment relationship of professional athletes under the country’s labor law. Under ordinary circumstances, Álvarez would need to pay the release clause in his contract, said here to be 500 million euros, and the decree says the player is the one who must cover that amount. But Article 16 also allows another route, if the athlete terminates the contract unilaterally for reasons not caused by the club.

In that case, Atlético would be entitled to compensation, with the amount set by a labor court if no prior agreement is reached. The article quotes the law as saying the court must consider sporting circumstances, the harm caused to the club, the reasons for the split, and other relevant factors. It also says Barcelona, as the new club, could carry secondary financial liability if Álvarez signs elsewhere within a year. Spanish football authorities would then have to enable his registration with the new club so he can work, while the financial dispute remains unresolved until a ruling.