Diego Simeone has clarified why he would never sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Atletico Madrid.
The striker was linked with Atletico over the summer as he looked to secure a move due to Champions League football.
There was irritation from fans at the time, with one supporter group labelling Ronaldo ‘the antithesis’ of Atletico’s values.
Simeone has implied the transfer would never have occurred and referred to the 37-year-old’s time at Real Madrid as an element.
He said: ‘The rumours are far from what happened. People sometimes speak to tell what they want to, not what happens.
‘Ronaldo is an absolute legend for Real Madrid. I would not see Martin Palermo playing in River, just as I wouldn’t see Juan Roman Riquelme or Ariel Ortega playing in Boca. Some situations are obvious.’
The Portuguese striker had an extraordinary record for Real, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances over a nine-season spell and winning two La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
He scored 25 goals in 37 games against Atletico, his highest tally against any individual club.
Discussion about this post