Martin Petrov says Atletico Madrid should have accepted a reported €120m offer for Julian Alvarez and believes the club’s handling of the forward’s future has harmed both the player and the supporters.
The former Bulgaria winger, known as “The Bulgarian Bullet” during his time at the Vicente Calderon, remains based in Madrid and continues to follow Atletico closely. In the second part of an exclusive interview with Flashscore, he also criticised Real Madrid’s reaction to their derby defeat, backed Barcelona to challenge for another LaLiga title and questioned Diego Simeone’s transfer strategy.
Real Madrid “going too far”
Petrov believes Real Madrid have become too quick to blame referees after defeats, including their recent loss in the Madrid derby.
“Over the years, Real Madrid have become accustomed to blaming referees whenever they lose,” he said. “I cannot remember a match they lost and then admitted they were beaten for sporting reasons.”
He acknowledged that the referee could have sent off Lee Kang-in, but said Real Madrid still had 60 or 70 minutes to change the match.
“If a red card was not given and you still won, then you could say that afterwards,” Petrov added. “Why immediately bring out printers and pictures?”
He also expected Jose Mourinho to be dismissed after a controversial incident, although the manager managed to remain on the touchline. Petrov said Real Madrid’s poor start had already led to criticism from journalists and warned that pressure on the coach would increase unless results improved.
The former Atletico player also criticised the club’s continuing disputes with LaLiga president Javier Tebas. He suggested Real Madrid’s status allowed them to make repeated public attacks that would have a far smaller impact if made by smaller clubs.
“Perhaps they want to stay in the spotlight and put pressure on referees and officials,” he said. “But they should concentrate more on their own problems and on football.”
Barcelona set the early pace
Barcelona have won seven of their opening seven games and lead Atletico by five points and Real Madrid by six. Petrov said he could not currently see anyone stopping them.
Their form, he said, had been “incredible”, with Barcelona scoring three or four goals in every match so far. He believes their squad depth will be important as international fixtures and Champions League matches add to the schedule.
Petrov credited Hansi Flick with introducing discipline, clear methods and strict rules, while praising a team that has quality in every position. Barcelona’s high defensive line carries risks, he said, but their immediate pressing enables them to recover the ball within one or two seconds of losing it.
He hopes Atletico can remain in contention for the title, despite finishing 25 points behind Barcelona last season.
Petrov said Atletico effectively abandoned their league campaign during the final seven or eight rounds as they concentrated on cup competitions, none of which they won. He also pointed to increasing dissatisfaction with Simeone and criticised the club’s high turnover of players.
Atletico sell five or six players and spend heavily on replacements each year, he said, yet continue to finish third or fourth. That has left supporters questioning whether qualification for the Champions League is now the club’s only ambition.
Alvarez situation has hurt everyone
Petrov was unconvinced that Atletico’s latest signings, including Cristian Romero, Lee Kang-in from PSG, Morten Hjulmand from Sporting and Alejandro Grimaldo, would transform the team. He described them as good players rather than major stars, although he said Lee’s versatility, left foot and experience in LaLiga made him appealing.
He was less enthusiastic about Romero’s conduct, saying the defender often provokes opponents, including in the derby and previously at Tottenham.
Petrov also criticised Atletico’s start, noting that after two or three wins they lost 3-0 away to Athletic Bilbao, a club with strong traditions but currently undergoing a period of change. He said a team with serious ambitions should avoid such a defeat.
On Alvarez, Petrov said Barcelona had little to lose by trying to sign him and that the forward would have been useful to them, although the Catalans were performing well without him.
“Everyone has lost from this saga: the club and the fans,” he said. “Atletico could have received good money for a player who had said openly that he wanted to leave.”
Petrov believes Alvarez could eventually leave for €50–60m, whereas Atletico may have been able to receive €120m plus bonuses. The former winger said the player was no longer performing at his best and that supporters had turned their frustration into boos.
“If the offer really was €120m plus bonuses, then Atletico should have accepted it,” he said.
However, he believes Alvarez can still repair the relationship. Petrov recalled Antoine Griezmann’s return from Barcelona, when the forward initially faced chants, boos and objects including popcorn and baguettes before winning supporters back with goals and eventually departing as a club legend.
A hat-trick at the Metropolitano, Petrov said, could have the same effect for Alvarez. He added that the forward’s attitude had looked more positive in the derby after Simeone hugged him before he came on.
Alvarez moved more effectively, created a chance and made several good passes against Real Madrid, Petrov said, but admitted the player had suffered a psychological slump for a week or two before the transfer window closed.
He believes Atletico should have spoken to Alvarez before the World Cup and explained that he would be central to a new project involving Simeone, Apollo and David Villa. Instead, the club allowed rumours to continue until Alvarez said he wanted to join a team aiming to win trophies.
Ballon d’Or debate
Petrov said Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Raphinha were among the leading candidates for the Ballon d’Or, but complained that the award had become surrounded by controversy.
He believes at least three or four players are usually capable of winning and said the performances of whoever succeeds should be enjoyed rather than overshadowed by arguments over the result.