Atletico de Madrid has been left out of the top of Spanish soccer for most of its history. Most fans use that fact as a badge of honor. Getting into consecutive UEFA Champions League finals and winning the 2014 La Liga championship as an underdog seems to be a source of pride for Los Atleticos. Luckily (or tragically, perhaps), the days of being left behind are gone.
Transfers, a new stadium and, an angry superstar. What more could you ask for?
Make It Rain
Atleti has gone all out during the 2019 offseason. While national teams battled in various international tournaments, they went off on a shopping spree in Portugal. Hector Herrera was their first signing. The Mexican midfielder looked like a reasonable transfer as he came in as a free transfer from FC Porto. Alongside him came 30-year-old center-back Felipe. That was a pricier transfer. The defender set the team back $22.4 million. They also acquired former Real Madrid player Marcos Llorente for almost $50 million. Their biggest transfer, however, is a big gamble.
Showing Faith In Felix
La piece de resistance for Atletico Madrid comes from Porto’s bitter rivals Benfica, and his name is Joao Felix, a 19-year-old who just debuted last season. Following the likes of clubs like PSG, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona, the Spanish team is set to drop $134.7 million on talent that has not had a trial by fire yet. The era of modest transfers seems to be over for Atleti.
While the Felix move makes headlines all over the world, it also makes for a risk not seen ever since Neymar left for Paris. Pressure will be on young Felix since the very first minute of the season. With so little experience and how competitive the Spanish league is, he might bend. Not only that, but he might bend enough to break. Not many teams will pay back that sum of money if their bog move doesn’t pay off. Simeone’s boy will either sink or swim by the hand of their own signing. Ironically, the biggest problem is caused by someone who isn’t signed yet.
He’s Not In, But He’s Not Out Either
Every club has a bad boy. Manchester United had Wayne Rooney. Real Madrid had Cristiano Ronaldo. Barcelona had Neymar. PSG has Kylian Mbappe. Most recently, Atletico has Antoine Griezmann. The World Cup champion made it clear early in the offseason he did not want to continue playing for the club. That’s fine, athletes can play wherever they feel they are paid enough money to do so in order to be successful. Problem is, no one has signed him, and he is still under contract in Madrid.
Despite not being formally inked with any team yet, the Madrid team has accused Barcelona of agreeing to terms with the French striker in March. While both teams go back and forth with the argument, Griezmann has been ordered to report with Atletico for the start of the preseason by his employers. He will have to do so until someone pays the €120 million price tag attached to him.
You wanted to be like the big boys Atleti? Fine, now you are a primadonna, just like them.
Just Like Everyone Else
Atletico Madrid is not the same team it once was. Gone are the days of modest signings and playing in an aging stadium. They seem to be set for European domination after years of settling for the Europa League and the more prestigious runner up spot at the Champions League. Are they really going to take over Spanish and Continental soccer? The short answer is: no.
The reality of the matter is that, despite their extensive renovation, there’s nothing that separates them from other unsuccessful teams. They have new and talented players, but so does Real Madrid. Their competition also has young and promising stars. Vinicius Junior and Christian Pulisic are just a few examples. They still have a raging star in the shape of Griezmann, but others, such as PSG also have one of their own.
Embed from Getty ImagesAtletico de Madrid have turned themselves into the newest big boys in soccer. However, they did it at a price. A price much higher than what is yet to be paid for Felix. It only took Atleti a single summer to turn themselves from underdogs to just like everybody else. They did so by surrendering their identity. They got debt and a raging star in return. Congrats boys, welcome to the big boy table.