Uruguayan defender José María Giménez revealed on Thursday that he considered leaving Atlético de Madrid twice due to his ego. However, after talking with his coach and inner circle, he decided to stay with the team he believes has the best fanbase in Spain.

Two Moments of Doubt

"The first time was in 2018, I thought about it and decided to stay. Then in 2021, I reconsidered it, and this time I thought it through more. When making these kinds of decisions, you have to weigh many things and often set your ego aside," he admitted in an interview with La Quinta Tribuna on Uruguay’s AUF TV.

He explained that at those moments, he felt the need to leave the team he has been part of for over a decade because he wasn’t feeling comfortable.

"After speaking with the club and the coach, I realized that what I truly wanted was to stay and that it was just a moment of ego that clouded my vision. Now, I have no regrets. On the contrary, I think I made the right decision, and today I’m very happy about it," he assured.

Lessons and Resilience at Atlético

The Uruguayan center-back emphasized that over his 12-year career, he has learned the most from defeats rather than victories. He even compared Atlético de Madrid to the Uruguay national team in terms of effort and competitive mindset.

"I feel at home, even in Europe. The passion of the fans at this club is similar to Uruguayan football, and the resilience of being part of one of Spain’s biggest clubs makes every win against Barcelona or Real Madrid even more special," he remarked.

"Sometimes, I’ve learned that winning isn’t always the most important thing. The real success is in the journey and the values you gain along the way," he added.

Full Commitment to La Celeste

Giménez also spoke about his role with the Uruguay national team, stating that he is willing to contribute in any way necessary.

"I consider myself a servant of the club, an employee. My role today is to be a footballer. If I play, it’s because the coach needs me or believes I should be on the pitch. The day I stop playing, I’ll raise my hand, talk to him, and say, ‘Well, I think I have to leave because I’m not playing,’" he declared.

For Josema, both at his club and in the national team, the most important thing is to contribute in any way possible and continue helping La Celeste achieve its goals.