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#LeyendaSimeone programme at the Cívitas Metropolitano
Our stadium hosted the programme of our coach after his 613 games directed. Simeone overtook Luis Aragonés as the most-capped coach in our history in the game against Sevilla. Our president, Enrique Cerezo, our CEO Miguel Ángel Gil, other directives, relatives, former Atleti players or the squad were in a very special day.
The Cívitas Metropolitano auditorium, with a special decoration for the occasion, was the scene of the special programme to the figure of our coach, Diego Pablo Simeone. The Argentine coach became the coach with the most games in the history of Atlético de Madrid on March 4, 2023 in the duel against Sevilla.
The programme began with Vicente Vallés, its presenter, introducing the figure of our coach. Simeone entered the set with emotion and happiness reflected on his face, expressing his feelings throughout a "different and special" week. Assessing how far he has come and recalling how his history at the club began, Simeone showed his eternal commitment to Atlético de Madrid: "I was in Argentina and the president called me to tell me they needed me. I replied: when does the plane take off?".
The first to accompany Cholo was our president, Enrique Cerezo. President and coach shared a couch recalling anecdotes during the Argentine's more than 11 years in the team. Our president also highlighted the figure and importance of Simeone for the club: "He is a true legend and he loves Atlético de Madrid". Both chose a moment to highlight in these years of success and growth in our entity and agreed that the first years were very important to consolidate the entire project that has subsequently taken place. Our president was clear about it: "The victory in the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu". Simeone, on the other hand, could not choose one in particular: "I would say the first six months, when the team was suffering in the league and we ended up winning the Europa League. And also with the Champions League final lost in Milan. Those difficult moments made us grow". Our president thanked him for all the years of work, effort and sacrifice at the helm of the team.
Pablo Vercellone and Óscar "Profe" Ortega, representing the entire coaching staff, took the stage to receive a gift from our president for their years of work with Simeone.
Several players who have passed through our club and who have been directed by our coach could not be present at this special tribute: Gabi, Godín, Miranda, Tiago, Filipe Luís, Raúl García, Arda Turan, Adrián López and Fernando Torres dedicated some beautiful words for the man who was his coach for several seasons. As well as our legend Paulo Futre.
It was Koke's turn. Our captain was already in the squad when Simeone arrived and since then he has been an essential piece both on and off the pitch. Koke and Simeone recalled some moments and memories of both of their years at the club. The Red & White player gave, on behalf of the entire squad, a picture from the last game in which Cholo is seen directing with the word "CORAZÓN" behind it, a term that perfectly defines our coach.
Two legends from our club, Roberto Solozábal and Toni Muñoz, were the next to accompany Simeone. Three legends who shared a couch and who shared a team in their day. Both of them, after dedicating a few words of affection to their former partner in the dressing room, handed over the "Leyenda Simeone" picture.
It was the turn of the relatives. One of the most emotional moments of the programme was after the messages from Gianluca, Simeone's middle son, and Nilda González, mother of our coach. They couldn't be present either, but they did send a very special message to Cholo. After her son's nice words, Nilda was deeply moved addressing her son, who also reflected the emotion on his face. After them, it was the turn of his wife, Carla, and their young son, Giuliano, accompanied by the two daughters of our coach, Francesca and Valentina.
Our president, Enrique Cerezo, went up again, accompanied by our CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil. Our CEO recalled some of the memories he keeps from when he tried to convince Simeone to coach Atlético de Madrid. Both closed the intervention with a resounding "thank you and congratulations" and with the commemorative plaque for the 613 matches.
After this last intervention, Simeone's programme came to an end with a nice video of black and white images reviewing these more than eleven years at Atlético de Madrid.
Congratulations and thank you, #SimeoneLegend!
