Atletico Madrid News
Former Real Madrid playmaker opens up on failed Atletico Madrid transfer in 2019
Two UEFA Champions League titles, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, two La Liga titles and a Spanish Super Cup – this extensive list of silverware is the collection James Rodriguez accumulated during his spell with Real Madrid.
Earlier this week, the Colombian spoke to El Chiringuito TV about the end of his Real Madrid career. Atletico Madrid were close to acquiring his services in the summer of 2019, but the deal fell apart in the final minute.
When asked to explain why his move to Diego Simeone’s side failed, Rodriguez said: “It was the second year I was at Bayern Munich. In March, I see that there is great interest from Atletico Madrid and Bayern wanted to buy me at that time.
“I wanted to be close to my children and in Munich I was alone. I told the club that I didn’t want them to exercise the purchase option.
“At first they told me no, but then they said yes. They talked about contracts and prices. Almost everything was done, but after losing 7-3 to Atletico in pre-season, [Real] Madrid didn’t let me out.”
The game referred to by the player is the infamous International Champions Cup Madrid derby on 27th July 2019. The game at MetLife Stadium saw Los Blancos torn apart by Atletico. At the hour mark, the men in white trailed 6-0.
Rodriguez signed for Real Madrid in 2014 after an impressive World Cup campaign and spent three years in Spain. He then moved to Bayern Munich on loan until 2019 and looked for an exit from Real Madrid immediately after the conclusion of his spell in Germany.
After his move to Atletico fell apart, the player stayed at the club for another season before joining Everton in 2020 as a free agent. Now, he plays for Al Rayyan in the Stars League.
In 195 career appearances for Real Madrid, the Colombian playmaker scored 37 goals. Yet, statistics will never do justice to the stupendous and jaw-dropping goals he scored for the club with his magical left foot.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
