Lamine Yamal’s Message for Julian Alvarez Adds Fuel to Burning Barcelona Fire
Lamine Yamal’s Message for Julian Alvarez Adds Fuel to Burning Barcelona Fire
The Argentine has made clear his desire to leave Atlético Madrid, but fractured relations between Spain’s top clubs make a deal difficult to envisage. Toby Cudworth|
Lamine Yamal’s teasing message over Barcelona potentially signing Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid shows one thing—the teenager superstar wants the deal to happen.
The complicated saga, which also includes rivals Real Madrid, took another twist on Tuesday as Spanish publication COPE reported that Atlético have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over what they perceive to be improper conduct.
Álvarez has publicly declared his wish to leave Atlético, much to the dismay of the 2020–21 La Liga champions, as he wants to “fulfill his dream”—a remark many perceive to be a wish to join Barcelona.
Atlético have continued to point towards Álvarez’s €500 million release clause ($569 million) and insist they have no desire to sell the Argentine, who only joined from Manchester City in 2024 and has another four years to run on his contract.
Yamal Stokes the Fire With Encouraging Message
With relations at an all-time low, it remains to be seen whether player power will eventually allow Álvarez to get his way. But if there was any further encouragement needed for him to agitate for a move to Catalonia, some additional fuel has been added to the fire by Yamal.
The 18-year-old, tasked with leading Spain to glory at this summer’s 2026 World Cup, candidly told Cadena SER in an television interview on Tuesday that he’d “love” the transfer to go through as the 26-year-old is a “great player.”
“If he comes, we’ll welcome him with open arms... If I were him, I’d do it,” Yamal added, acknowledging that he and his Barcelona teammates would be delighted if Álvarez were the player to replace the departed Robert Lewandowski. “We’ll be waiting for him if he wants to come. [I say] go for it.” he concluded.
Nothing Has Changed for Alvarez, As It Stands
Álvarez doesn’t have much of a say in the matter unless Atlético back down from their hardline negotiating stance and consider accepting a lower fee. They’ve already rejected a €150 million ($173.2 million) offer from Real Madrid, and made brutal remarks on social media after Real, who recently re-elected Florentino Pérez as president, claimed the club had been “thanked” for the offer, “made within the framework of the good relations existing between both clubs.”
“You may have confused politeness with gratitude, but let there be no doubt: we are not grateful to you for anything,” a pointed, inflammatory response from Atléti read on social media. “We are not considering or evaluating any offers for Julián. How could we not get on well, when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona.”
Álvarez has also been linked with Premier League holders Arsenal and back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, though neither club has looked likely to put an official offer in while the shenanigans between Atlético, Barcelona, who the former previously accused of putting together a “smear campaign”, and Real continue.
Were Álvarez to force his way out of the Metropolitano and head to Camp Nou, he’d provide more than adequate firepower as Barcelona look to replace the goals of departed veteran Lewandowski. Álvarez has notched 56 in all competitions across two seasons at Atlético, though only eight goals came last season in La Liga as Diego Simeone’s side limped to a disappointing fourth-place finish.
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Published 20 minutes ago | Modified 19 minutes ago
TOBY CUDWORTHToby Cudworth is Lead Editor for SI FC. A Premier League, EFL and UEFA accredited journalist, Cudworth is a graduate of the University of Gloucestershire, where he studied Broadcast Journalism. He previously worked for 90min as a writer, academy manager, editor and eventually content lead, before joining Sports Illustrated in May 2025. A lifelong supporter of West Ham United, he still can’t quite believe they won a European trophy and feels nature is healing now that results have slipped back into the yo-yo patterns of the last 30 years.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
