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Good morning, Atléticos. Even a Monday feels good after a win, especially when we’re back in the top four and one spot above the other Madrid team! Not much in the way of exciting news this morning, but with the transfer window set to close on Friday, you can expect the rumors to be coming in hot over the next few days. We’ll be sure to keep you posted.
- A weekend of milestones
The victory in Las Palmas this past weekend saw a number of our players and our manager reach big milestones in their careers with Atlético Madrid.
Manager Diego Simeone earned his 200th career win in charge of los rojiblancos across all competitions. The tally brings his overall record in 321 games to 200 wins, 67 draws and 54 losses for a win percentage of 62.3.
Not. Too. Shabby.
Midfielder Saúl Ñíguez made his 150th appearance for Atleti since promotion to the first team in 2012. He signed a nine-year deal with the club earlier this summer, so this looks to be just one stop on a hopefully long and successful run for him with the club.
Last but not least, midfielder Koke became just the 21st player to make 325 appearances for the club. The milestone brings him level with club legend José Eulogio Gárate, who notched 135 goals between 1966 and 1977.
Ahead of Koke are current teammates Fernando Torres (359) and Gabi (370). The leader in appearances is Adelardo Rodríguez Sánchez who made 551 (!) appearances for the club between 1959 and 1976.
- David Villa called up to the Spain squad.
Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer David Villa has been called up for international duty for the first time since 2014. The 35-year-old striker played for Atlético during 2013-2014 and scored 13 goals in 36 appearances.
(Earlier this year, we conducted an exclusive interview with David. You can read it here.)
Since departing Atlético for Major League Soccer club New York City FC, Villa has been in scorching form, scoring 60 goals in 87 appearances. While this is certainly exciting news for Villa and MLS, is there anything to be said from the perspective of Atlético Madrid?
What do you think? Given his recent form, and ongoing questions with Atlético’s attack (this weekend’s result aside), is David Villa a player you could get excited about come January? Or has that ship sailed?