Saul: I have nothing but gratitude for Simeone; I would love to return to Atletico if given the chance

Hupu News on October 15th: Flamengo player and former Atletico Madrid player Saul Niguez was a guest on Ser Radio's "El Larguero" program, reviewing his current situation and the process of his leaving Atletico Madrid. Although he was told by Simeone that he was not part of the plan, he defended Simeone but not director Berta, whom he accused of deceiving him.

"Simone himself was surprised by my response at that time, I just thanked him. To say to a player who has worked with you for so many years: 'Hey, next year I hope you are not in the team. I prefer to use other players.' It is difficult to say. You could have accused him of something, but I did the opposite. I said: 'Thank you for giving me the opportunity to realize my dream and to play for Atletico Madrid. You taught me a lot, thank you.' "

"I have always been straightforward, but others have not, and this is what hurts me most personally. Andrea Berta, the Atletico Madrid director at the time, was not entirely honest with me and I even saw evidence of it. Later he denied it, but I saw the evidence and I told him not to lie to me. All of this hurt me because if he had been honest with me, he could have sat down with me, talked in person, and worked out a solution together. "

"I am a player from Atletico Madrid's youth training and have always tried to help the club, even though I was accused of not wanting to take a pay cut... When Atletico asked me to take a pay cut, I did it, when they asked me to accept payment by promissory note, I accepted it, and even now I am doing things to make it easier for them. I always answered 'yes' to all requests. "

"When I came back from Chelsea three years ago, I saw Simeone was a little tired. But then the team played some good games and he continued to rekindle that winning mentality. His ideas are communicated and Simeone has that gift of being able to convince you. He is a role model, dedicated both in daily training and in friendly matches. Now? He will be coaching for many more years, he has a winning team and the club is growing, so why leave? If I have the opportunity to return to Atletico Madrid, I will be very happy because Atletico Madrid gave me life."