Atletico Madrid wants to be champion, says Simeone
Diego Simeone could not have been prouder of the effort Atletico Madrid have put into this season, but for it to improve in 2026-2027, he says it must win major silverware.
Atleti's final hopes of a trophy were ended last week as it was beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie, going out 2-1 on aggregate.
It also lost the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad and has not been close to the top of LaLiga all season, with its ambitions instead limited to the top five.
Boasting a 10-point lead over fifth-placed Real Betis and a 16-point advantage over sixth-placed Celta, which it hosts at Estadio Metropolitano this weekend, Atleti is already guaranteed UEFA Champions League football next season.
That is because Spain will join England in receiving a fifth qualification place for UEFA's elite club competition, after Rayo Vallecano progressed to the UEFA Conference League final, where it will play Premier League side Crystal Palace for the trophy.
Reflecting on Atleti's season, Simeone said: "The players are very clear about where they are, after the thanks I gave them yesterday for our extraordinary season, in terms of competitiveness.
"It's clear that we didn't win anything and I thank the critics, because they motivate us to keep improving.
"Next season, after what we did this season, to improve we have to be champions. It's good that there is criticism, we need it, it's part of life, it's not always positive things.
"Sometimes it is constructive and sometimes it is not. But we are clear about where we are. As long as I'm here, we're going to compete."
Although Simeone is desperate to add to the two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and two UEFA Europa Leagues he has won with Atleti, the importance of securing UEFA Champions League football is not lost on him.
"It's very important, it's the first objective that the club has," he added.
"In the same way that the first objective that Madrid and Barca have is to be champions, ours is to enter the [UEFA] Champions League.
"Our task is to try to get closer to becoming champions at some point. It was a difficult season to explain. We had a cup final that escaped us on penalties; an extraordinarily competitive semi-final in the Champions League and an incredible quarter-final with Barca.
"We gave our maximum and even more. It is very difficult to get to this place and being so close makes you feel that you can continue to be there.
"It makes you angry, disappointed, angry, but today I'm fine. I ask myself and tell myself that we have to be grateful for what is happening to us these years. I clearly remember where we came from and where we are – there has been tremendous growth for the club."
Realistically, Celta must win all three of its remaining games to have any chance of a top-five finish, while hoping Real Betis slips up at least twice.
