2026-03-21 10:33:52
Saul Niguez is permanently “scarred” by Atletico Madrid’s Champions League final losses to arch-rivals Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
The midfielder played the entire game as Atleti were beaten on spot-kicks by Los Blancos in the Milan showpiece a decade ago and confessed that even winning South America’s Copa Libertadores tournament with Brazilian outfit Flamengo doesn’t make up for the disappointment of missing out on winning Europe’s biggest trophy.
Saul told FourFourTwo magazine: “It’s a scar that stays with you forever. For me, it wasn’t so much about losing to Real Madrid as it was losing the Champions League final.
“People have asked whether later winning the Copa Libertadores has lifted that weight off my shoulders. There are players who would feel that way, but personally, one thing doesn’t erase the other.”
The Spanish international admits that the “cruel” nature of Atleti’s defeats made it even tougher to stomach.
Saul, who was not involved in the 2014 final, said: “The first one with Sergio Ramos’s goal at the death to send it to extra time, the second decided on penalties. In Lisbon (in 2014), Real Madrid equalised at the last moment and were better in extra time.
“In Milan, two years later, that wasn’t the case. What hurt was the way we lost – their goal was offside, then we missed a penalty and there was also a possible red card for Real. It was cruel. Not winning the Champions League is still a deeply painful feeling.”
Despite his Champions League pain, Saul treasures the memory of winning the La Liga title with Atleti in 2021 amidst the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.
He recalled: “In the middle of Covid, during a tough isolation, we managed to win a league title that I remember with great affection.
“It came down to the last match of the season, in Valladolid. We were even losing and had to come from behind. In adversity, the club always finds a way to rise to the surface. As our motto says, we never stop believing.”
Saul continued: “The celebrations were mad, because in theory contact with people was forbidden – I really messed up. It was my first league title, and just 200 metres from the bus, our fans were there. I went over to them and hugged everyone. The police tried to separate us, but it was already too late.
“My wife sent me a message calling me an idiot. My reply was even worse: ‘I’ll catch Covid if I have to. I’ll pay the price.’ It had to be celebrated with our people – that was a special day. Those are the moments that, beyond trophies, stay with you forever.”
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