Simão: “From here on I’ll be another Atlético de Madrid supporter”
The Portuguese player said a tearful goodbye
After three-and-a-half years wearing the Atlético de Madrid jersey, Simão Sabrosa wanted to say goodbye to all ‘atléticos’ during an emotional farewell act. Afterwards, the Portuguese thanked everyone for the confidence placed in him and responded to questions from the journalists assembled at the Vicente Calderón VIP Room.
Simão stated that he was experiencing this moment in the way that “he had always dreamed of. When I arrived at Atlético I did so in grand fashion and my goal was that the day that I left, I would do so in the same way in which I came, and I think that I’ve achieved that,” he highlighted. Furthermore, he confessed that he’d like to be remembered “as a professional; that’s the most important thing.”
He didn’t skimp on heaping praise on the Club. “I’ve learned that when we stick together we’re stronger; that when we all work together with a big effort for the same goals, everything is easier. That’s how we were able to win the titles. Atlético is a great club with an impressive history,” he stated.
Sabrosa also took advantage of the presence at the event of Paulo Futre to tell the story of how his countryman tried to sign him when he was the Sports Director of Atlético in 2000. “He wanted to bring me here and came to my home. I finally arrived seven years later and having played at this Club was a dream come true. I’m very happy to have worn this jersey,” he said.
The wide midfielder confessed that after the Cup match against Espanyol, his last game as an Atlético player, he had some very emotional moments with both his teammates and the fans. “I’ll never forget it. When I went into the dressing room all of them were waiting for me to say goodbye. Then I heard something and they told me to go back out because the fans were waiting calling for me. I went out and, like today, I was unable to contain my tears. I’ll never forget what I’ve experienced at this Club… the two titles that we won, as well as the one we lost in the Copa del Rey final in Barcelona against Seville with 40,000 Atlético fans cheering us on after having lost. I’ll never forget it and from now on I’m one of them, and I’ll be supporting this team,” he concluded.
Simão stated that he was experiencing this moment in the way that “he had always dreamed of. When I arrived at Atlético I did so in grand fashion and my goal was that the day that I left, I would do so in the same way in which I came, and I think that I’ve achieved that,” he highlighted. Furthermore, he confessed that he’d like to be remembered “as a professional; that’s the most important thing.”
He didn’t skimp on heaping praise on the Club. “I’ve learned that when we stick together we’re stronger; that when we all work together with a big effort for the same goals, everything is easier. That’s how we were able to win the titles. Atlético is a great club with an impressive history,” he stated.
Sabrosa also took advantage of the presence at the event of Paulo Futre to tell the story of how his countryman tried to sign him when he was the Sports Director of Atlético in 2000. “He wanted to bring me here and came to my home. I finally arrived seven years later and having played at this Club was a dream come true. I’m very happy to have worn this jersey,” he said.
The wide midfielder confessed that after the Cup match against Espanyol, his last game as an Atlético player, he had some very emotional moments with both his teammates and the fans. “I’ll never forget it. When I went into the dressing room all of them were waiting for me to say goodbye. Then I heard something and they told me to go back out because the fans were waiting calling for me. I went out and, like today, I was unable to contain my tears. I’ll never forget what I’ve experienced at this Club… the two titles that we won, as well as the one we lost in the Copa del Rey final in Barcelona against Seville with 40,000 Atlético fans cheering us on after having lost. I’ll never forget it and from now on I’m one of them, and I’ll be supporting this team,” he concluded.