Soccer player in red, white and blue striped uniform celebrating on the field.

Unrivaled: José María Giménez, Undisputed King of the UEFA Champions League

The Uruguayan player had a great game on Thursday, proving his dedication and talent.

José María Giménez is one of the most ket players in Simeone's Atlético thanks to his determination, character and good ball handling. The Atlético defender is showing his great defensive ability at the start of the season, given that he's been keeping away from injuries. Giménez is the leader of the Atlético de Madrid defense and hopes to be able to continue being so throughout the season, if his body can take it.

A soccer player kisses the crest on his red jersey with white and blue stripes.
The Uruguayan was key in the Colchonera victory | Champions League

In the match against RB Leipzig, Giménez was the best player in the 3-man defense for the Atlético team and scored the goal that settled the match. Giménez showed that he can not only contribute to the team in defensive aspects, but that he can also be fundamental in offense. In a statistic that encompassed the entire Champions League round of the week, Giménez was, indisputably, the best player in the competition.

Giménez and the Stats That Praise his Figure

The Uruguayan was the player who recovered the most balls in the first round of the Champions League with 15 balls recovered. Nobody came close to the Atlético defender, who did outstandingly once again to give the 3 points to an Atlético that deserved victory. Cutting the good streak of four goals to 0, the goal was the result of a rebound in a fortuitous action where little could be done.

A soccer player crying while being comforted by a teammate on the field.
Giménez was emotional after scoring the winning goal | @josemariagimenez

With Giménez on the field, the team has clearly improved in all aspects, thanks to his ambition and his role as leader of the team, despite not being the captain. Number  2 is a key piece in Simeone's schemes, being the best defender for Atlético when he is ready to play. At the cost of being able to continue enjoying soccer without getting injured, Giménez has found a perfect partner this season.

Piñedo: Giménez's number 1 Partner

The arrival of the new fitness coach has been a breath of fresh air for an Atlético that has been used to the 'Profe' Ortega's training for years. Piñedo has devised a method that's better adapted to modern soccer and has ensured that none of the team's regular starters, apart from Barrios due to his accumulation of minutes inside the field, get injured. Knowing that Giménez is a special case when it comes to injuries, Piñedo devised a special plan so that the Uruguayan defender doesn't suffer any more mishaps this season.

Two Atletico Madrid football players celebrate a goal during a Champions League match.
Piñedo has been fundamental for the Atlético defender | Champions League

Solid Health

When Giménez is on the field, Atlético de Madrid notices, as shown in the good statistics that the colchonero team has with his presence. Giménez is the clear leader of the defense and has been proving this since Diego Godín left in 2019, becoming his clear successor in the role of leader. At the expense of being able to continue being the commander of the back and giving a lot of joy to a fan base that's in love with him, Giménez aims to continue at the same level he is at.