Real Madrid ‘agree deal’ to sign Neymar from PSG

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain as soon as 2019.

Neymar only left Barcelona for the Ligue 1 champions last summer, for a world-record fee of £200million.

But according to reports in Spain, the Brazil superstar has already come to an agreement with Real.

The forward, according to Diario Gol, will spend another 18 months at PSG before returning to Spain.

Neymar is desperate to win the Ballon d’Or and believes he has a better chance of achieving his dream with the European champions.

Real president, Florentino Perez, hinted at a plan to sign both Neymar and his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe earlier this week.

“Mbappe is 18 years old, let’s leave him to develop and see how far he can go,” Perez told El Partidazo de COPE.

“We have the best players. Recruit Neymar and wait for Mbappé to develop? That’s not a bad idea!”

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Champions League last 16 Draw (Full)

Full draw

Juventus vs Tottenham

Basel vs Manchester City

Porto vs Liverpool

Sevilla vs Manchester United

Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Roma

Chelsea vs Barcelona

Bayern Munich vs Besiktas

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Mourinho says he has no idea when Pogba will be fit

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he has “no idea’’ when record signing Paul Pogba will be fit again after the French midfielder suffered a hamstring injury.

The France player had sustained the injury in a UEFA Champions League tie against Basel early in September.

The 24-year-old, who cost 89 million pounds last year —- a world record at the time —- played only a handful of games this season before being sidelined.

“Paul is not here, I don’t know when he comes back, when he’s available, I’ve no idea,” Mourinho told a news conference ahead of his team’s Saturday’s visit to Huddersfield Town.

He hopes Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return by the end of the year, however.

The Portuguese also has better news of Marcus Rashford, who is fit in spite of coming off during the midweek Champions League win over Benfica with a knee injury.

United will be looking to make history by keeping an eighth clean sheet in the opening nine league games of the season.

No other team has achieved that in the top division of English football.

Mourinho was criticised for a defensive approach in last weekend’s dull goalless draw at Liverpool.

Stoke City are the only side to score, in a 2-2 draw, against Mourinho’s team in eight Premier League games.

Earlier in the season, United appeared to be recapturing the adventurous style historically associated with the club.They won 4-0 four times against lowly opposition but have since been outscored by neighbours Manchester City, who now lead them by two points at the top of the table.

The game at Huddersfield is the first meeting between the clubs since 1972 and the Yorkshire side have not won one since 20 years before that, in March 1952.

After a good start, Huddersfield have not won a Premier League game for two months, but Mourinho insisted that his team will know what to expect from a newly promoted club.

“We are silly if we don’t know what is waiting for us,” he said.

“Everybody knows the Premier League and knows what it means to play against newly promoted teams.

“Every team in the Premier League is good and thinks they can win every match against every opponent.

“The players will be buzzing and the supporters will be happy to have a big club playing in their stadium.”(Reuters/NAN)

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NFF Set to Resolve World Cup Bonuses with Eagles

• Budgets N6.4bn for next year 
• Stops bonus payments to age-grade teams

Femi Solaja

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to ensure that World Cup 2018 bonuses are concluded with the Super Eagles before the end of this year to avoid repetition of what transpired in Brazil three years ago.
At the Mundial in the South American country three years ago, Super Eagles players abandoned training ahead of a crucial second round clash with France as a result of disagreement over bonuses.

It took the intervention of then President Goodluck Jonathan who directed Senate President, Senator David Mark to fly into Brazil with the cash from Abuja to pay the players at their Campina camp before they returned to training. Nigeria eventually lost the match 1-0 to France.

But thursday, NFF decided at its executive committee meeting that held at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Jos that bonuses agreements with the players must be concluded before the end of the year.Football aficionados attributed the loss in Brasilia to the dispute and the fact that Eagles stayed awake almost all the night leading to the match to pick up the cash.

“World Cup bonuses must be firmly concluded and agreement signed before the end of this year, for the sake of stable preparations and credible participation at the World Cup finals without any distractions,” observed the communique released after the meeting.

The committee also resolved that adequate and intensive preparation of the Super Eagles for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the arrangement of quality friendly matches for the team, is non –negotiable.

“To this end, a comprehensive plan of action would be released after the World Cup Draw in Moscow on 1st December 2017, which would encompass training camps, friendly matches, marketing and funds drive to ensure a great outing at the World Cup finals.”

In line with global best practices, the NFF has also decided to stop payment of bonuses for all age grade national teams. Also, it stopped bonus payment to coaches and backroom staff of the senior teams.

“The committee reiterated that henceforth, only the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons will be entitled to bonus payments per match. Players, coaches and backroom staff of other teams will earn daily allowances, approved bonuses at the end of successful qualifying campaigns and approved allowances (including daily allowances) at championships.”

Meanwhile, the General Assembly approved the NFF Financial Statement for the year 2016 and the 2018 Budget as proposed.

The Federation’s total budget for year 2018 activities is the sum of N6,382,500,310.00. The guaranteed revenues from sponsors and government subvention is the sum of N3,062,500,310.00, leaving a shortfall of the sum of N3,320,000,000.00, which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special interventions.
Another far reaching decision at the Congress also includes the adoption of the motion to the effect that future Elective Congresses be moved away from the FIFA World Cup year. Katsina has been selected to host the next Elective Congress.

“This is to guarantee stability in the system to prepare the national team for credible participation at the finals, and to avoid the distractions and crises usually associated with the World Cup year.

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Madrid, Barcelona Re-enact Rivalry with Football Academy

No rivalry in world football has matched that between Real Madrid and Barcelona–from political and  ideological differences to signing the biggest players in the world and most recently, siting football academies in Nigeria

A fter Barcelona’s experience with FCBESCOLA in Lagos last February, Spanish giants, Real Madrid, and the government of Rivers State recently signed an agreement to set up an academy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

On Monday, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, former Super Eagles player, Adokiye Amiesimaka and the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chief Evans Bipi  took a trip to Spain to sign the terms and conditions of the proposed Real Madrid Academy that would nurture talents in Rivers State.

Vice President of Interact Sports, Mr. Kazma and officials of Real Madrid led Wike and his entourage on a guided tour of Real Madrid Training Facility.Wike toured training facilities of Real Madrid Football Club and met with officials of the club,  football megastar, Cristano Ronaldo  and Real Madrid Captain, Sergio Ramos,  where further modalities were discussed.

In a meeting with Real Madrid stars, Ronaldo and Ramos, Wike said that the objective  of setting up  the Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State was to develop stars that would rule the world in the nearest future

“We are using football as one of the key empowerment programmes for the next generation.  We want to grow international football stars from a tender age. We will  tap from the experience  and exposure of Real Madrid  and their stars. This  is a project that will revolutionise  football  in Rivers State and Nigeria,” Governor Wike noted.

He assured that the academy  to be established  in the state will be of international standards and will take into consideration  the education  of the children.

Ronaldo and Ramos lauded Wike’s commitment to the development of the game.

According to Iyaye, “this will offer players of the state the opportunity to be spotted by Real Madrid and also to train and understand the ideologies and philosophies of Real Madrid.”

Wike on Tuesday met with the leadership of the Real Madrid Foundation as part of the requirements  to establish a Real Madrid Affiliated Football Academy in the state.

Officials of the Real Madrid Foundation were led by Managing Director, Julio Gonzalez and International Area Manager, Rosa Roncal Gimenez.

The meeting which held behind closed doors at the Real Madrid Foundation Office at the Santiago Bernabéu witnessed both parties concluding discussions on the areas of partnership.

In an interview after the meeting, Wike said the deliberation went on satisfactorily, noting that the partnership has reached its highpoint.

The governor said the academy would help the state to harness the opportunities  inherent in football as it would empower the upcoming  generation.

He said, “This is the concluding part of the process of establishing a Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State.  It is our dream to empower our youths through football. Today, you know that football is big business and one of the ways to improve the economy.

“This meeting is the height of our deliberation to get the Academy Started. We are happy that this has gone on satisfactorily.  Rivers youths will reap the benefits of the Academy. “

The highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of a special Real Madrid Jersey for Wike by Gonzalez.

International Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation , Rosa Roncal Gimenez, lauded the Governor for the initiative to set up a Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State.

No Nigerian player has ever played for Real Madrid senior team. The closest player to doing so was Mutiu Adepoju, who joined Real Madrid in 1988 but never made it to the senior team.

Adepoju scored 26 goals in 67 apperance for Real Madrid team B between 1989-1992. Real Madrid are the current La Liga and Champions League champions.

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Breaking: Atletico Madrid signs Super Falcons, Ordega

pix: Ordega with friends on her birthday(Oct.19)

Super Falcons Striker,24-year old, Francisca Ordega has been signed on by Spanish Football club, Aletico Madrid.

According to the club’s website, the Nigerian forward comes from the American Washington Spirit.

The club states: ‘Atletico de Madrid Femenino strengthens its offensive line with Francisca Ordega, who arrives from the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League.

The 24-year-old Nigerian footballer is on the front line and will wear our jersey until next March when he will start a new edition of the American competition.

After successfully completing the relevant medical examination, Francisca Ordega signed the contract that binds her to our club and was happy to wear rojiblanco.

“For me it is an honor and I am very happy to be here. Atletico Madrid is a great club, internationally recognized, and I really want to start,” he told the club’s website.

Questioned by how she is defined as a footballer, Francisca Ordega asserts that as a “strong player physically, athletic and very fast” and although she recognizes that she will need a period of adaptation, she concludes: “I will make the fans proud.

Meanwhile, Ordega celebrated her birthday yesterday.

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Russia 2018: Egypt qualify after beating Congo

Egypt qualified for the 2018 World Cup finals after beating Congo 2-1 in a game which finished with nail-biting moments on Sunday in Alexandria.

Egypt won after a penalty kick scored in the fifth minute of second half added time to reach the World Cup for the first time in over a quarter of a century.

Liverpool FC star Mohamed Salah was the Egyptian hero, scoring both goals in a win that qualified them for their third finals, and the first since 1990.

The euphoria was intense since Arnold Bouka-Moutou had stunned the hosts when equalising for Congo after 88 minutes.

But the Egyptians’ World Cup hoodoo ended as Salah held his nerve late on.

His dramatic winner sparked wild scenes of celebration both on and off the pitch.

Several players and fans took to the field to celebrate while supporters wept with joy in the packed stands.

Salah had broken the deadlock just after the hour on a tense night in Alexandria as he latched on to Mohamed El Nenny’s pass before poking home from close range.

But an energised stadium was flattened just minutes from full time when Bouka-Moutou ghosted in at the far post to slam a volley home past Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.

Hopes were raised as five minutes of stoppage time were indicated and in the penultimate of these, Egypt were awarded a penalty kick.

Salah coolly sent the Congo keeper the wrong way to spark a night of celebrations across Egypt and end the record seven-time African champions’ poor World Cup record.

In the three decades since their last World Cup appearance, Egypt have won four Africa Cup of Nations titles, and these were in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

But they have never taken that form into World Cup qualifying.

They had suffered repeated heart-break instead, with one of the most painful defeats coming in 2009 when they lost a bitterly-contested play-off against Algeria.

The desperation to qualify ahead of the game was so great that Egypt’s Argentinian coach Hector Cuper admitted he was taking medication for high blood pressure.

The victory gives Egypt an unassailable four-point lead over Uganda in Group E, with one round of fixtures left, while Ghana’s dreams also ended.

The Egyptians are now the second African team to reach the finals after Nigeria went through on Saturday, with the continent’s remaining three places to be decided in November.

Their qualification could be of great benefit to goalkeeper El Hadary who could become the oldest player at a World Cup ever if he plays next year.

The record was set by Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon who played at the age of 43 at the 2014 World Cup, while El Hadary turns 45 next year.

Earlier this year, the North Africans — whose first World Cup appearance was way back in 1934 — had finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Nigeria becomes the first African country to qualify for World Cup

FIFA has confirmed that it will seed all four pots for the 2018 World Cup draw, based on its October World Ranking.

This means no nations from the Africa, Asia and CONCACAF regions can be top seeded.

Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the tournament, after a 1-0 win over Zambia on Saturday.

Russia will automatically be picked as one of the eight top seeds, as hosts of next year’s tournament.

They will be joined by the seven highest-ranked nations in the October FIFA Ranking who also qualify for the finals.

Currently, only Brazil and Germany are 100 percent guaranteed they will be seeded, as they have qualified for the finals and will be in the top seven of the ranking.

Italy and England (unless seeded teams lose in the playoffs) have no chance of being seeded, nor do Mexico or Uruguay.

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Nigeria/Zambia Match: 5 killed, others injured at stadium

No fewer than five people were killed, scores unconscious, while others sustained serious injuries in a stampede at the entrance of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

Thousands of football fans, who had thronged the stadium to watch the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria in action against the Chipolopo of Zambia on Saturday, suddenly found themselves all at one gate.A surge followed with the fans pushing and falling over one another.The blood stain of those who died, and those who sustained serious injuries as well as those who were in coma, were seen everywhere around the gate of the stadium.

A journalist with The Punch newspaper was among the victims who were injured by the soldiers who were controlling the crowd.Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps personnel were seen standing beside some unconscious fans.Shoes of those who had fallen victims to security manhandling were seen in every section of the stadium.Some of the fans who spoke with our correspondent said they escaped death narrowly.One of them, Aniema Ekong, said that apart from the five people that were taken away in ambulance dead, she did not see any possibility for some fans who were in coma to survive.

“I thank God that I’m alive. This is not the first time this incident has occurred. It’s been happening. In fact, in every major tournament, there is always a tale to tell of security agents injuring or killing people.“To me, it seems as if this stadium is a blood-sucking demon. My experience today is different. Today’s experience is a near dead one. Let them be with their stadium. To me, watching matches here again, will be impossible”, she said.

Another fan said his girlfriend had been severely injured by security personnel manning the gate.According to him the security pushed the lady to the gate, where she hit her left shoulder and arms against the gate and fell flat on the ground.He said the lady had been taken to a nearby hospital.

He said, “I don’t know why there is always trouble in this stadium (Godswill Akpabio International Stadium). Each time there is a match; there is always one problem or the other.Many people were seen leaving the stadium thanking God for their lives.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Elkana Bala, could not be reached for confirmation as his phone lines were switched off.
Source: The Next Edition

For a better society

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England U21 3-1 Scotland U21

England U21s put in an assured performance to overcome Scotland U21s 3-1 in their Euro 2019 Qualifier on Friday night.

Tottenham's Josh Onomah - currently on loan at Aston Villa - sent England on their way at the Riverside Stadium with a brilliantly improvised volley from 30-yards out after 14 minutes.

England had plenty of chances to go further ahead, and it was Tammy Abraham who doubled their lead from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half.

Chris Cadden gave Scotland hope late on (79), but Dominic Solanke scored just 63 seconds later to put the game to bed.

New York City FC's Jack Harrison, who paid his own way over from the USA, made a late appearance off the bench as England moved top of Group Four.

Player ratings

England U21: Gunn (6), Walker-Peters (6), Gomez (6), Fry (6), Alexander-Arnold (6), Cook (7), Gray (8), Onomah (8), Calvert-Lewin (8), Solanke (7), Abraham (8)

Subs: Kenny (6), Lookman (6), Harrison (N/A)

Scotland U21: Fulton (7), Smith (6), Taylor (6), Souttar (5), McKenna (6), Campbell (6), Mallan (6), Thomas (5), Cadden (6), Morgan (5), Burke (5)

Subs: McBurnie (6), Williamson (6), Docherty (6)

Man of the match: Josh Onomah

Scotland offered very little in the first half as England dominated proceedings from the off, and it took the Young Lions just 14 minutes to go ahead.

A headed clearance found its way to Onomah 30-yards out, and the 20-year-old chested it down before looping a stunning half-volley over Ryan Fulton.

Moments later, Abraham got the slightest of touches onto Dominic Calvert-Lewin's cross but it glanced the outside of the post.

Abraham was among the chances once more as Liam Smith blocked his effort on the line, while Solanke headed wide just before the break.

England went two-goals clear shortly after half-time, with Abraham picking himself up to coolly roll in the spot-kick after being fouled by John Souttar.

Scotland did manage to pull one back as Cadden stole in behind the England defence, but the hosts netted their third just one minute later as Abraham slid one over for Solanke to tap in.

Man of the match - Josh Onomah

The Spurs loanee got the ball rolling with a terrific half-volley in the first half, but it was the midfielder's vision throughout which put Scotland under threat.

The 20-year-old cut a composed figure in the middle of the park, and that allowed England's vibrant attack to impress in Middlesbrough.

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Sergio Aguero Out Till December, says Team Doctor

Manchester City Striker Sergio Aguero is likely to be out of action till the last month of the year, this, a doctor of the Argentina national team has hinted.

Recall that Aguero is injued. He broke his rib in a car crash while returning home from a concert in Amsterdam last Thursday.

Consequently he missed his side’s 1-0 victory at Chelsea the following weekend.

After carrying out assessments of Aguero’s injury, City were hopeful that he would only be out of contention for two to four weeks.

However, Donato Villani, who works for the Argentina national team, believes the 29-year-old is likely to miss at least a month-and-a-half of football.

“He is feeling very bad emotionally because he really wanted to come and play [for Argentina], but this incident has ruled him out of both games,” Villani told TyC Sports.

“He is going to be out for a month-and-a-half – minimum. He is unable to leave his house, or get in or out of the car. He was feeling very bad because he wanted to be here.”

A six-week layoff would see Aguero miss City’s home and away Champions League meetings with Napoli and the visit of Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on 5 November.

It would also extend his wait to become City’s all-time leading goalscorer, with the Argentina international currently one goal away from equalling Eric Brook’s record of 177.

The injury has already led to Aguero being left out of Jorge Sampaoli’s Argentina squad for crucial 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador this month.

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LOTHAR MATTHAUSAtletico Madrid vs Chelsea: Spaniards remind me of Jose Mourinho’s Champions League-winning Inter Milan side of 2010

The Germany legend looks at what Chelsea must do to keep Atletico Madrid at bay this evening.

AFP

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Atletico Madrid are preparing to take on Chelsea in the Champions League

REUTERS

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Lothar Matthaus sees shades of Inter Milan's 2010 side in Atleti

I LOVE watching Atletico. They are a fantastic team, a special team.

For me, they are similar to the Inter Milan side that won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

They have good players and are physically very strong.

But they are also a team very much in Diego Simeone’s image. They play like he did 30 years ago.

I played against Diego and I still have the scars on my legs. He might not have been the greatest player but he was strong and aggressive. I think he kicked the opponents more than he kicked the ball.

He has coached his team in that same style, so fiercely determined to win.

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Three Things To Look Forward To As Chelsea Take On Atletico Madrid – Time To Take Revenge For The Blues?

Chelsea make the trip to Madrid to face Atletico Madrid on Champions League Match Day 2

Chelsea will be travelling to the Spanish capital to face Atletico Madrid in the hardest test of their group stage encounters. The Blues will be facing the Rojablancos in their new stadium, Wanda Metropolitano where they will see a familiar face in the form of ex-striker Diego Costa, albeit in the stands.

Atletico have been issued a transfer embargo by the UEFA and can’t register new players until January and that means that Costa won’t actually be available for selection. His presence at Atletico has been the talk of the town recently but this Wednesday, the focus will be on two top quality European teams ready to beat each other.

The two sides last met during the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League campaign where Atletico emerged victors over the course of the two legs in the semi-final stage. Here are a few talking points –

Continental Challenge

Chelsea were for the very first time out of the Champions League since the 2003-04 season and completely out of Europe for the first time in 20 years. In their first game in Europe after a yearlong hiatus, the Blues defeated Azerbaijani champions Qarabag 6-0. They have also started a difficult week in the best way possible beating Stoke 4-0 at the Bet365 stadium. This week will be the Blues’ first true test of their return to Europe’s elite.

Atletico have been one of the more influential sides in the competition in recent times having reached the final against city rivals Real Madrid two times and the West London side will have to be on their best possible form to beat the Rojablancos.

Atletico’s Attacking Arsenal

Atletico will be without the services of Brazilian born Spanish striker Diego Costa until January but that in no means will deter the Madrid based club from attacking. They have a more than impressive attacking arsenal in the form of Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, ex Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, Argentine Angel Correa and Belgian Yanick Carrasco.

Coach Diego Simeone has never lost to an English side with three wins from 5 games. Chelsea will have to be very solid in the defence to stop the stalwarts from Atletico from scoring.

Morata’s High-flying Form

Having played for Real Madrid for two seasons, the Spaniard is no stranger to his ex-city rivals. He has featured in the derby and knows how the Atletico defence functions. He will be looking to exploit that very knowledge and experience.

The Spaniard has been high on form after scoring 6 goals from 6 games in the Premier League for the Blues this season. He even registered a hattrick against Stoke in the Blues’ last game and his performance will be very instrumental if the Blues are to beat the Rojablancos.

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Costa's Atletico return: Torres, Aguero, Falcao and Griezmann and the Rojiblancos' history of fine forwards

With Diego Costa returning to Atletico Madrid, we look at the long list of forwards who have flourished at the club in recent times.

Diego Costa, Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero and Antoine Griezmann have all flourished at Atletico Madrid

Diego Costa is heading back to Atletico Madrid, with the Spain international returning to the club where he made his name after a three-year spell at Chelsea.

Costa developed into one of the best strikers in European football during his first stint in the 

Spanish capital, and he is not alone in having emerged while playing with Atleti. 

Here we look at a collection of strikers who have flourished during their time with the Rojiblancos.

Fernando Torres

After initially struggling as Atletico gained promotion back to LaLiga in 2002, Torres soon burst onto the scene in the top flight and established himself as one of the best strikers in Spain, enjoying a 20-goal season in 2003-04. He moved to Liverpool in 2007 and became a star in the Premier League, but a disappointing stint at Chelsea and a failed loan at AC Milan prompted his return to Atletico. He scored his 100th goal for the club in February 2016 but has as yet been unable to add to the Segunda he won with the club, suffering agony in a Champions League final shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid last year.

Diego Forlan

A flop at Manchester United, Diego Forlan revived his career at Villarreal and continued to succeed at Atletico. He joined the club in 2007 and enjoyed a stunning second season that saw him score 32 league goals. Even better was to follow for the Uruguayan, whose double in the 2010 Europa League final secured a 2-1 win over Fulham.

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Antoine Griezmann 

✔@AntoGriezmann

Is coming hooome, Is coming hooome 

7:37 AM - Sep 21, 2017

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Sergio Aguero

Before etching his name into Manchester City folklore with that title-winning goal in 2012, Aguero was a fearsome force at Atletico. The Argentina international scored 74 LaLiga goals in five seasons following a switch from Independiente and lifted the Europa League trophy along with strike partner Forlan.

Radamel Falcao

He recaptured some of his best form last season at Monaco, but Falcao has never quite been the same player he was during his two-year stint at Atletico. His opening campaign saw 'El Tigre' score 36 goals in all competitions and deliver further Europa League glory for the club. Falcao won the UEFA Super Cup and the Copa del Rey the following season before an extended period of struggles at Monaco, Manchester United and Chelsea, which ended with him firing the former to Ligue 1 glory.

Diego Costa

Costa is already a hero at Atletico after a 2013-14 campaign in which his 27 LaLiga goals provided the foundation for their first league title since 1996. He was jeered by Chelsea fans as he scored a penalty in Atletico's Champions League semi-final victory that season, but he only lasted nine minutes of the final against Real Madrid in what proved to be the last game of his first spell before his move to west London.

David Villa

After a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona, Villa may have thought his time of contending for major honours was over when he joined Atletico in 2013. However, it was a transfer that provided one final hurrah as he helped dethrone Barca with 13 league goals before he moved on to Melbourne City and then New York City.

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OptaJose 

✔@OptaJose

1 - Antoine Griezmann has scored the first goal at Wanda Metropolitano with his first shot of the game. Crucial.

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Mario Mandzukic

Much like Villa, Mandzukic was already a well established name by the time he joined Atletico, but the Croatia striker did not enjoy the same success. He won the Supercopa de Espana and scored 12 league goals, but moved on after one campaign for Juventus, where he has been reinvented as a winger.

Antoine Griezmann

Undoubtedly one of the hottest properties in world football, Griezmann stayed at Atletico - amid intense speculation - due to a reluctance to leave during their transfer ban. That decision sees Atletico hang on to the France forward, who since joining from Real Sociedad has scored 60 league goals in three LaLiga seasons. He opened his account for this term against Malaga, his winner a fitting first goal at Atletico's new Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

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