It’s not easy to thrive in the same league as Real Madrid and Barcelona. Having such a competition is a nightmare, but Atletico Madrid gained a reputation as the third most successful soccer club in Spain. This team won La Liga twice in the last decade and deserves respect for its achievements. But who are the best Atletico Madrid players of all time? Let’s dive into this.
Before the list, let us remind you of some quick facts about Atletico Madrid. The club was founded in 1903 and currently plays at the beautiful Wanda Metropolitano in the Spanish capital. It has 11 La Liga titles and won Copa del Rey 10 times. In 1962 Atletico won their first European trophy – the Cup Winners’ Cup while they also won three times the Europa League.
Atletico Madrid’s biggest dream remains winning the Champions League. So far, they have reached the final three times but suffered the same number of defeats.
So, let’s get back to the main topic – the most successful Atletico Madrid players of all time. Here they go!
Carlos Aguilera
Carlos Aguilera is one of the players with the most caps in Atletico Madrid’s history, playing right-back. He had his most significant success at the beginning of the 90s when he helped Atleti for two consecutive Copa del Rey triumphs.
Representing Spain as well, Carlos Aguilera was a reliable right-back who helped his team both in defense and attack. With more than 300 league games for Los Colchoneros, Aguilera remains a notable figure for the club.
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann lost the fans’ love after his move to Barcelona, but he eventually chose to come back and win it back. Although Griezmann was much better during his first stint at the club, he’s still a big star. A player with brilliant technique and impressive creativity, he’s also a natural goalscorer.
When he’s in shape, Antoine Griezmann is a joy to watch. He was instrumental in Atletico reaching the Champions League final in 2016, while in 2018, he won the Europa League with the club. Now he’s one of the modern day Atletico Madrid legends.
Adelardo Rodriguez
Playing for Los Colchoneros between 1959 and 1976, Adelardo Rodriguez played 551 games for the club. Despite playing as a midfielder, he showed some impressive instinct for goals, scoring 113 times.
In his trophy cabinet, we can find three La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies, and the Cup Winners’ Cup. He was one of Atletico’s best players in a very successful era for the club.
Diego Simeone
Diego “Cholo” Simeone is not just Atletico Madrid’s most successful manager of all time but also a former player for the club. The former Argentine international played for the team on two occasions and helped it win La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Diego Simeone remains one of the cult Atletico Madrid players in history. He was a defensive midfielder who had some impressive energy and work rate. He was known for his toughness and never-give-up mentality – something he currently teaches his players.
Koke
Koke has never played for another club in his career, and he’s currently one of the most loved players in Atletico Madrid’s history. An energetic midfielder with an eye for the pass, Koke has been one of the best midfielders in La Liga for the last decade. He was essential for the two league titles Atletico won under Simeone.
Through the years, Koke was wanted by Barcelona and some of the major English teams, but he never betrayed his home club. Koke has been part of Atletico since 2000, and now he’s a true legend. He will be remembered as one of the Atletico Madrid best players of all time.
Juanfran
The most successful right-back in the club’s history, Juanfran is one of the most respected Atletico Madrid players of all time. Spending 9 seasons with the club’s jersey, Juanfran was also part of Spain’s squad that won the European Cup in 2012.
An incredibly reliable defender with a sense for attacking, Juanfran made this position extra secure during his spell in the Spanish capital. He chose to end his career in Brazil with Sao Paulo, but he’s still remembered by Atleti’s fans for his contribution.
Gabi
A former captain of Atletico, Gabi was part of the team which won La Liga and reached the Champions League final twice. Although he was not the most technical player, he was a true leader on the pitch who brought excellent defensive stability to the play.
A product of Atletico Madrid’s academy, Gabi finished his career at the club, winning five major trophies. He never got a call for the Spanish national team, and it’s absurd, but he was one of the best midfielders in the league.
Luis Aragonés
A legendary coach but also a legendary player. As a midfielder, Luis Aragonés had 315 caps with Atletico’s shirt. He scored 172 goals in these games – an impressive number for someone who plays in the middle of the pitch.
In modern times, Luis Aragonés is one of the people who have statues outside the Wanda Metropolitano. He’s no longer with us, but he’s a colossal figure for Atletico Madrid and the whole of Spain.
Fernando Torres
Some might say that Fernando Torres played his best games for Liverpool in the Premier League, but he was a household name for Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Called El Niño (The Kid), Torres scored more than 120 goals for the club in all competitions. He was also one of the club’s youngest captains ever.
World Cup winner with Spain, Fernando Torres won just one trophy with Atletico Madrid’s shirt – the Europa League in 2018. He’s still adored by the fans, though – and he’s one of the most respected Atletico Madrid players of all time.
Diego Godin
Spending 9 seasons in the Spanish capital, Diego Godin is one of the Atletico Madrid players with the most enormous contribution to the club. A former captain of Los Colchoneros, Godin helped the team win 8 trophies and reach the Champions League final twice.
Playing as a center-back, Godin was a beast in his position. The Uruguayan also had a taste for the goal because of his excellent heading ability. He was one of the best in his prime. And he’s surely one of the best Atletico Madrid players ever!
Honorable mention: Francisco Campos Salamanca
When you look at Francisco Campos Salamanca’s stats, you can see how good he was for Atletico. Being a spectacular player to watch, Salamanca managed to score 120 goals in just 193 matches for the club. He’s still Atletico Madrid’s player to score the most goals in the capital derby against Real Madrid – 12. With Los Colchoneros, Salamanca won La Liga title for two consecutive seasons in 1940 and 1941.
FAQ:
Which player scored the most goals in Atletico Madrid’s history?
Legendary Luis Aragonés finished his career at Atletico with 172 goals scored for the club in all competitions.
Who’s Atletico Madrid’s most expensive player ever?
The Portuguese striker João Félix is the most expensive player in Atletico’s history. In 2019 the club paid 126 million euro to Benfica to acquire his services.
Which player made the most appearances in Atletico Madrid’s history?
Since his debut in 2009 until the summer of 2023, the midfielder Koke made a total of 587 appearances for Los Colchoneros.
