Diego Simeone explains why he would NEVER sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Atletico Madrid, closing another exit door for the Man United star, because of his legendary status at rivals Real
- Cristiano Ronaldo was linked with a move to join Atletico Madrid last summer
- It came as he tried to secure Champions League football for another year
- The rumored move caused outrage among Atletico fans at the time
- Diego Simeone has now said the move would never have happened
Diego Simeone has explained why he would never sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Atletico Madrid. It comes after the striker was repeatedly linked with Atletico over the summer as he looked to secure a move due to Champions League football.
There was outrage from fans at the time, with one supporter group labeling Ronaldo ‘the antithesis’ of Atletico’s values.
Simeone has now suggested the transfer would never have happened and pointed to the 37-year-old’s time at Real Madrid as a factor.
He told Marca: ‘The rumors are far from what actually happened. People sometimes speak to tell what they want to, not what actually 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. There are situations that are very clear.’
The Portuguese striker had an incredible record for Real, scoring 450 goals in a nine-season spell that also saw him win two La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
He also scored 25 goals in 37 games against Atletico, his highest tally against any individual club.
37-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had held talks with several clubs across Europe including Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Atletico Madrid was also approached but a deal was not struck and Ronaldo has ended up staying at Old Trafford, at least until the January transfer window.
But Simeone is adamant that Atletico should not sign Ronaldo given his history with Real Madrid.
