Atletico Madrid News
Joao Felix opens up about Manchester United’s rejected €130m bid for him: “It’s the presidents”
In the closing days of the summer transfer window, Atletico Madrid rejected several offers placed by clubs to sign their stars. This included three €40 million proposals for Alvaro Morata, Matheus Cunha, and Marcos Llorente.
Yet, the most surprising one was the rumoured offer that Manchester United made for Joao Felix. It was reported that the Red Devils were willing to pay €130 million for the Portuguese International, but Atletico Madrid rejected it because they trusted in the player.
Felix was interviewed by MARCA where he spoke about his growth as a player and his role at Atletico. He was asked about United’s offer during the same interview but refused to acknowledge that such an offer arrived.
“Nothing came to me, it’s the presidents. I’m here.”
He then credited Diego Simeone for his development as a player and elaborated on his growth at Atletico.
“Cholo taught me things that I hadn’t learned yet. The coaches are here to teach those things. Things that have been shown to me are going well for me. It’s his role.”
Every footballer dreams of winning the Ballon d’Or at least once in their career. The youngster spoke about his dream to win it and his plan of action to make it a reality.
“It’s still far away, but also closer. I work for that. I’m trying to do everything for that, in a few years it will be seen if I did it or not.”
When asked if Atletico were genuine title contenders this season, he said,
“We always fight for La Liga. In the [Madrid] derby we are going to prove it.”
Felix then came to the topic of responsibility and spoke about his role as a leader and how he felt committed to the Rojiblancos.
“I have the feeling that I have to do everything to help the club and the team. I try to prove that and if my colleagues see me as a leader, the better. This way we are more connected and we will enjoy much more.”
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.
