Roberto Gomez's Critique of Barcelona and Real Madrid's Transfer Decisions
Roberto Gomez did not hold back. The Spanish pundit used his platform on Radio Marca’s “La Tribu” to launch a fierce attack on Barcelona’s conduct in the Julian Alvarez saga and to question Real Madrid’s judgment over Rodri.
Rodri praise, Real Madrid blamed
Gomez began with Rodri’s unveiling as a new Barcelona player, an event that clearly struck a chord with him. The midfielder confirmed during his presentation that he had held talks with Real Madrid before opting for the Catalan giants.
For Gomez, that detail was damning for Madrid.
“I believe Real Madrid made a grave mistake in letting Rodri leave, because he would have given the midfield a major boost,” he argued, underlining how highly he rates the Spain international.
The praise for Rodri was effusive. Gomez called him “a world champion, a wonderful player, indeed the best,” adding that his quality had always been recognised and wishing him “every success in his new phase” at Barcelona. Admiration for the player, frustration with Madrid’s decision-making — the contrast was sharp.
Barcelona under fire over Julian Alvarez talks
If Rodri’s case exposed what Gomez sees as an error from Real Madrid, the Julian Alvarez situation opened the door to a much harsher verdict on Barcelona.
On the Argentina forward, Gomez was clear about one thing: Alvarez has earned the right to decide his own future. The problem, in his eyes, lies not with the player, but with how Barcelona dealt with Atletico Madrid during negotiations.
That is where his tone hardened.
Gomez accused Barcelona of operating “behind Atletico’s back, and in a very despicable manner,” insisting such behaviour “is unacceptable in football.” He went further, branding the club’s stance in the talks as “arrogant”, “conceited” and “condescending.”
It was not a passing criticism. It was a direct accusation aimed squarely at the Catalan board and their way of doing business.
Florentino Perez singled out as the only one “who acted properly”
Amid the criticism, one figure emerged unscathed — and even praised. Gomez highlighted Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as the lone actor who, in his view, respected the proper channels.
“The only person who acted properly in all of this is Florentino Perez,” he said.
According to Gomez, Perez first spoke with Alvarez and then contacted Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo, following what the journalist considers the correct order and protocol in a delicate transfer scenario.
In a transfer market where every move is scrutinised and every word can inflame a rivalry, Gomez has drawn his battle lines clearly: Barcelona accused of arrogance in their approach, Real Madrid guilty of misjudgment over Rodri, and Florentino Perez, in his eyes, standing as the solitary example of how these negotiations should be handled.
