Atletico Madrid News
RFEF president makes derogatory comment about Atletico Madrid in leaked WhatsApp message
A recent revelation made by El Confidencial has put the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales in hot waters. The outlet leaked the WhatsApp messages of the official where he listed Atletico Madrid as one of the teams he dislikes.
In a leaked WhatsApp chat between the official and his father, that dates back to January 2020, the duo listed the La Liga teams that they dislike the most. The conversation began when his father said he dislikes Sevilla and Valencia, to which Rubiales replied,
“For me, in this order, it is Villarreal, Sevilla and Valencia.”
He added, “And the patetico [Atletico], where?”
His father responded by saying, “Not especially. I feel sorry for them because they’re unlucky. I like Gil and I think Cerezo is a bigot.”
It must be noted that the term ‘patetico’ is a derogatory phrase used by the rival fans for Atletico Madrid.
Interestingly enough, it is not the first time Rubiales has found himself amidst massive controversy. Towards the end of the previous season, a series of conversations between him, and Barcelona’s Gerard Pique regarding the Spanish Super Cup were brought to light.
Furthermore, accusations were also made against Rubiales as he allegedly used the RFEF money to sponsor a personal weekend getaway with his team, although the 45-year-old has since denied the claims.
The recent incident involving Villarreal, Sevilla and Valencia has led to the teams demanding an apology from the president. A joint statement made by the clubs read,
“Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal wish to express our joint condemnation of the RFEF president’s contempt towards our clubs. We urge Rubiales to rectify the situation and to apologise publicly to the three clubs and our fans.”
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.
