Kiko Narváez is one of the most regular contributors to sports talk shows in Spain. The former Atlético de Madrid player is a staunch defender of what was his team, often standing alone against culés and Madridists. In the week leading up to the Madrid classic, he made some statements that surprised and displeased many.
Kiko wore the Atlético de Madrid jersey for eight seasons (1993-2001) and was part of the historic double in 95/96. A well-regarded player by the red-and-white fans, he gave much to the club and to Spain, as he was an international on 26 occasions and played in a European Championship and a World Cup. His statements, which have caused controversy, were made when he was asked about his all-time top figures of the red-and-white club.
"I played three years injured"
Kiko Narváez replied forcefully to his top-5 most important figures in Atlético de Madrid's history. "It may sound egocentric, but playing three years injured instead of having surgery, playing for free in the second division, and rejecting a contract of 1,000 kilos. In sports, my quintet is clear, Simeone, Luis Aragonés, Torres, Griezmann, and Koke.
"For everything I sacrificed, in the sixth I would put myself globally for all the details and things you do for a team. I say this because there will be many kids who have played more games, scored more goals. Of course, I've lived this in my own skin and when you get injured and they tell you to have surgery and I'm infiltrated for three years, I end up half-injured..."
Social media was filled with replys
It didn't take long for hundreds of Atlético de Madrid fans to respond to who was their forward for almost a decade. While the vast majority agreed that he was an important player in the club's history, they quite disagreed with his words. Many considered it disrespectful to place himself above figures like Gabi, Diego Godín, Futre, or Oblak, among many other names.
The video published by Carrusel Deportivo has caused thousands of replys and a great debate among the red-and-white fans. The most optimistic place Narváez near the top 20 in the club's history. The rest of the fans place him in a top 50, far from the sixth place he placed himself.