Simeone was warned about Ronaldo: "The Champions League shouldn't come at all costs"
The Atletico de Madrid coach explained why the Portuguese star could never join his former rivals
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't have ever joined Atletico Madrid according to Diego Simeone. As the Portuguese striker sought a transfer that would provide him Champions League access, Atleti was frequently mentioned in connection with the forward during the summer, something that fired indignation among the supporters, with one group referring to Ronaldo as "the opposite" of Atletico's principles, and Simeone agrees.
Cristiano Ronaldo won't get to the Champions League via Atletico de Madrid
Ronaldo was desperate to leave Manchester United; so desperate in fact, that he considered a move to one of his usual victims during his Real Madrid days, Atletico Madrid. But that could've never happened, admits Diego Simeone, who remains an admirer of the Portuguese's attitude and commitment, agrees that his connection to los Blancos rules him out as a potential Atletico player.
"The rumours are far from what actually happened", Simeone told Spanish newspaper Marca, "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".
Simeone confessed that the idea of adding Ronaldo crossed his mind, anyway, but "they stopped him". "I remember in the preseason a fan behind him shouted at me, I didn't know anything about what was happening but I did know about the rumors that there was: 'Cholo, be careful, winning the Champions League shouldn't come at all costs'", explained Simeone during the interview. "I liked it because it is a very healthy reflection, very much about the team, the neighborhood, the fan, the heart and a little reflecting what I felt at that time".
In fact, during his nine season spell with Real Madrid that saw him win two La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, Ronaldo converted 25 goals in 37 games against Atletico Madrid, his highest tally against any individual club, including the final dagger in Real Madrid's 2014 Champions League win against los Colchoneros in the final.
Diego Simeone was warned that Ronaldo didn't fit the Colchoneros DNA
The situation remains desperate for Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly still is looking for any way of out Manchester United and into the Champions League, but continues to find no takers.
Continue reading: "Real Madrid knows how to support their players to win the Ballon d'Or"
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