Atletico Madrid News
Griezmann talks Simeone, Koke, Atletico Madrid fans after permanent transfer from Barcelona
After a long-drawn saga, Atletico Madrid finally confirmed Antoine Griezmann’s permanent move to the Civitas Metropolitano earlier today.
The past few months have been difficult for the Frenchman and his permanent transfer will go a long way in helping him see regular action for Los Rojiblancos.
Though Barcelona initially demanded €40 million for the French forward, Atletico Madrid stood firm that they would not shell out such an amount. Now, they have officially signed the player for just over €20 million in what can only be termed a bargain deal.
Speaking after his move was made official, Griezmann, who has signed a four-year contract until 2026 with Atletico, did not hold back his excitement and was visibly elated at the development.
“I will give everything for my club, the confidence of the coach, the fans, Atletico. Give everything for the shield, I can miss chances, passes but I will give everything until the last second until I can,” he said.
When Griezmann first left Atletico for Barcelona a few years ago, his decision was seen as disprespectful by the Atleti faithful. However, the player reassured today that his loyalty remained to the Madrid-based club by saying: “I am very proud to be from Atlético.”
He then spoke about the difficulties he went through to ensure that he could become a permanent Rojiblanco again and said that it was always his dream to return to his former club.
“I’m very happy, that’s what I wanted from the beginning. Stay here, be at Atlético again, and enjoy this club, this manager, the teammates, the fans and the stadium. I did everything to stay here.”
“People make the effort to have their season ticket, to come, to support us from the stands. It is my tribute to the fans,” he added.
Griezmann then elaborated on the various factors that came into play to help him decide his future and realise that Wanda Metropolitano was his one true home.
“When I saw there was the possibility of staying here for many years, I talked to the club. I knew what they wanted from me. I didn’t think about it much. I didn’t care about the efforts I was going to make. All I wanted was to stay here, enjoy here. My family is happy. It’s a club where they love me, a coach who loves me.”
Talking about his respect for manager Diego Simeone, Griezmann said: “Maximum respect for Simeone. He is a legend, I owe him a lot.
“I think I have reached my highest level thanks to him, to the club, without forgetting Real Sociedad. It is a satisfaction to give everything for him, fight for him and win games for him.”
The Frenchman also hailed Atletico Madrid captain Koke, saying: “He is a great person, a club legend. I don’t know who said that in the end, no one spoke of him as a player but as a person. He is very important to us as a player as well. We notice it when he is not there or when he is not so well, we notice it. He is a fantastic player.”
Source: Atletico Madrid Twitter
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.
