Atlético de Madrid faces a decisive week in their season, with key matches in both the Champions League and LaLiga and Copa del Rey. Amidst this tension, an authoritative voice has wanted to send a motivational message to the fans and the team. Paulo Futre, a rojiblanca legend, has recalled what it means to play a classic against Real Madrid and what it means to have the Metropolitano as a stage.
"Against Madrid You Have to Sweat Blood"
In his column for Mundo Deportivo, Futre shared an anecdote that has marked his life as a colchonero. In the 1987 preseason, when he had just joined the team, the legendary Arteche approached him and made it clear what it means to wear the rojiblanca jersey in a classic.
"Portuguese, let this be very clear to you: in this team, you sweat the jersey in every match. But against Real Madrid, you have to sweat blood." That message remains valid today and resonates in every Madrid classic. Futre shared it on his social media and was surprised by the response from younger fans, who have made those words their own.
The Metropolitano, Key in Atlético de Madrid's Future
The former player also highlighted the importance of the Metropolitano in the three decisive matches that are approaching. The Champions League return against Real Madrid, the duel against Barcelona in LaLiga, and the Copa match also against the blaugranas. Three events that can define Diego Simeone's team's season.
For Futre, this moment is reminiscent of the historic 1991 Copa del Rey, when Atlético eliminated Madrid in the round of 16 with the return at the Vicente Calderón. Then, they knocked out Barcelona in the semifinals and ended up winning the title.
"What is to come has the same energy as those days. I can't help but think that, in the future, we will remember this moment as 'The Three Finals of the 25'," Futre assures. As a good follower of Simeone, he also recalls the Argentine coach's mantra: "Calm, match by match."
The Roar of the Metropolitano, Atlético's Weapon
Futre has no doubt that the Metropolitano will roar like on its best nights. He is sure that the fans will push the team to achieve a positive result in the classic against Real Madrid.
"I trust blindly in the victory. I don't know the result, but I'm sure our stars will leave their souls on the field. Moreover, many colchonero fans will have to make an appointment with the speech therapist to recover their voices," he concluded.