174 goals for Atleti have taken you past Luis Aragones’ record. What does that number mean to you?
It is an important number. It’s a lot of goals, and ultimately a lot of joy. It is a source of pride too. In the end, matching Luis’ record was something magical, at home. And the truth is that I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a shame to have broken it in Saudi Arabia, but hey, I’ll take the goal, and it was an unforgettable moment. Also, the ceremony we had at the Cívitas Metropolitano with the children, with my wife and friends; I was very, very happy. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with a meridianbet.
Has it sunk in a little now that some time has passed? What have you done with that shirt and that ball?
Well, it has been difficult for me to assimilate it and it is still difficult for me, because it is something unforgettable. It’s something that I was looking for, that I wanted no matter what, and it’s going to take me a lot of time to really take it all in, but I know that I’ve gone down in club history and for me it is an honour and a source of pride. The shirt and the ball have gone to the museum, so I invite everyone to go see those two beautiful items.
And now that you have done this, where is your limit? Where is your record going to be?
Well, I hope I can set as high a record as possible, so we can set an example for the young players from the academy and get them to aim to score as many goals. I hope that in the long run it’s one of the academy players that breaks. I’ll be rooting for them to do just that for many years to come.
I remember when you were introduced at the old Vicente Calderón in 2014, 10 years ago. It’s been a long time. Did you imagine that one day you could achieve what you have achieved? Being a record holder and a legend for this club?
No, because I didn’t think much about that, about setting a record, back then. I was thinking about enjoying it and doing my best. But back in 2014 I didn’t see myself being Atleti’s top scorer and what I’m experiencing is a dream come true. I enjoy it every day, every training session, every game. We have to continue like this and try to achieve more things at a collective level, which is my goal.
You said in the video you recorded, after surpassing Luís Aragonés’ record, that you had never imagined having that conversation with him, but that you had always wanted to [he died in 2013]. If you imagine that conversation with Luis Aragonés now, what do you think he would say to you?
When I arrived here there were always phrases from Luis Aragonés everywhere. His spirit was there at the Calderón, watching us play from above. When I saw that, I wanted to be a part of that history, of this club. I’d love for there to be phrases of mine here 30, 40 years from now. I want to remain in the memory of the fans, the players. I’m sure he’d be happy, he would enjoy our conversation. Maybe he’d be a bit angry with me, because I left the club, but at the end of the day I think he’d be happy and proud of the player I’ve been since I came back. My goal is to reciprocate that affection, to show that we can all make mistakes, that I’m here to work and to fight for this club.
Of all the goals that you have scored for Atlético de Madrid, across all these years, is it difficult to pick just one? Maybe you have a favourite in LALIGA? If it’s hard to narrow down, maybe a top five?
No. I would say a goal in Bilbao. It was in December, my first year, and I was having a really hard time getting into the team. I was in and out, in and out. I was not a regular in the starting XI and I remember that it was the last game before the winter break and I scored three goals there in Bilbao. That was my start at Atleti. I remember that I went on holiday and I didn’t want to, because I knew that I had just got going at Atlético and that I was now the player that I wanted to be, the player that the coach was looking for, and I wanted to get back to training right away.
When you went to Barça, what did Diego Simeone say to you?
He told me that I deserved the best, that he was not going to stand in my way because I had given everything for him and the club, and that he wished me luck in everything. We never cut off our relationship. I remember being a Barça player, talking to him, about our daughters, about football matters, him and me, we never cut it off.
Is he like ‘a father’ for you at Atlético de Madrid?
Yes. I don’t know about the word ‘father,’ because that is a big thing to say, but he’s the person who made me see that there are no limits, that I could reach the very top. He opened my mind at a football level, but he also taught me a lot in terms of life. He is someone that I see glimpses of myself in, how he is with his daughters, with his sons. We’re very similar in that sense. For me it is a source of pride to work for him and play for him.
You returned home after Barça, to Atlético de Madrid. Over time, have you also agreed with those people who, perhaps in those first games, were a little unhappy at your return? Has time proven you right because we’re seeing the best of you? Do you even think you are at your best?
Yes, it’s true that when I came back, I already knew it was going to be difficult, but that was natural. The goal was to go back and do everything to win the love of the fans again. I remember telling Aitor, who was always in charge of my affairs, “I want to return to Atleti.” He told me that it was going to be very difficult, that I was going to have people against me. I asked him and my sister, who is my representative, to get me back there, and I wanted to take care of everything else. I knew that in the end, I’d get it done, because of my way of fighting, of working, that I would win them over.
I wasn’t certain that I’d ever have so much affection from the fans again, certainly not as much I feel today, but I did know that they wouldn’t boo me, and that I was going to have a neutral relationship with them. But now I’m feeling a lot of love. In the end that did me good and made me the player I am today. In my first spell here, I was only a striker; now I am a much more complete player.
I read something interesting the other day, that your son is doing the LALIGA sticker collection this year and that he asks that each opponent you play this season signs their sticker!
Yes! He asked me because we have the new Panini album, and we are collecting it together. His mother is ordering the album and now it’s s my turn to take the stickers to each team we play. I have brought home signed stickers from Koke, Rodrigo de Paul, and Morata. Also, I take the album to the stadiums we play at, and I’ll ask the players we play against to sign them.
What does Simeone tell you before a derby or a big game? Because I imagine that he prepares the same way… but he doesn’t prepare the same, right?
Well, we are lucky that Cholo, in his team talk, whether you’re playing against Real Madrid or against the bottom side, or you’re playing against a second division side, is going to touch your heart and motivate you as if it were a final. That, for a player, is the best way. Then we have our captain, Koke. Obviously, for us it is very important to win against teams like Real Madrid, but for him, who came through the youth academy, he seems a little more connected and in his speeches, it is very different from when we play other games.
You always play with long sleeves. Is that a superstition?
It’s because when I watched football as a kid there was David Beckham in long sleeves. I liked his style, with the long sleeves. At Real Sociedad, I remember that they didn’t make long-sleeved shirts and I had to ask the kit man, who was Michelo at the time. He made every effort to get me shirts with long sleeves.
You and Morata make a top partnership. In all these years at Atlético de Madrid, with which teammate do you think you have had the best understanding?
I have been lucky to have very good forwards alongside me. It’s difficult to be a number 9 here at Atlético, it’s a lot of work and it’s not just about scoring goals. You have to work and tire yourself out running. In the end, you have to put the ball in the net, and that is the most difficult thing, but Álvaro is indeed at a very top level. We are very happy with him and what he does. The person I got along best with was Kevin Gameiro. It was very easy to play with him because we had that connection: he knew what I was going to do, I knew what he was going to do. Then, even though we’ve only been together for a short time, with Memphis Depay – who I played with at Barcelona too. We both like to play with our feet and make short runs. Then with Alvarito [Morata] we’ve been getting to know each other better, and I’m able to help him score some goals too.
Griezmann or Morata? Who is going to end up taking the top scorer award here at Atlético de Madrid?
I hope it’s Alvarito. We have to do everything to make him the top scorer, and if he achieves that it means we would have had a great season.
You have been playing in LALIGA for many years. What is so special about this competition?
The football. It is always difficult to play away from home because every single team plays the ball very well. Anyone can cause you trouble and they come very well trained in their style and the team changes. We’re seeing that with Las Palmas this year, who were promoted just this season and are playing incredible football. Michel’s Girona is impressive. Those clubs know very well who to sign, they know what they need, and they do everything depending on what they can spend. In the end, it is an evenly balanced and difficult league to play in.
Is there a dream that you want to achieve at Atlético de Madrid?
A dream, and an objective, is to win LALIGA and the Champions League. I have never won LALIGA and I may be the club’s record goalscorer but not having won the league is difficult. The Champions League, for everyone, would be a dream.
That league that you mentioned: You were just at Barça that season. How did you experience that Atleti title win from afar?
It was very difficult because we were also close to winning it. I think we lost against Granada at home and that killed us a little mentally. But at the same time, I was very happy because they deserved it, and for Koke, for Cholo, who means a lot to me. Koke is one of the best friends I have and I was very happy for him. When I saw the video with all his family and friends at home with the cup, I was laughing a lot. I was so happy and proud of him.
What does this Atlético de Madrid badge mean to you?
Good question. I would say “everything” but there is also the Real Sociedad badge, that club gave me the chance to be a professional. So, it’s 50/50 between Real Sociedad and Atleti. I owe them a lot. I know that I am here thanks to both La Real and Atleti, because they gave me everything. I hope that my son Amaro can one day be a footballer, if he wants, for Atleti. He is already a fan because he wears the shirt all day. I enjoy being here and working here, and seeing the people who work here – whether they are from the press, or the kit men, physios… everyone who works here or in the offices. It’s like a family. They are very good people and it is an honour for me to be here.