Atlético de Madrid's new star signing is already wearing the red and white and is registered with LALIGA ready for his new challenge . A challenge that is not exactly small, taking Atlético de Madrid to heights never reached before. The Argentine is ready for this, he was born with a star, precisely the same one that he proudly wears on the chest of the albiceleste after winning the 2022 World Cup.
75 million + 20 in variables is what the red-and-white team has paid to secure the services of the former Manchester City striker. A not inconsiderable amount that puts him on the podium of the most expensive signings in the history of the club. A ranking full of very recognizable names and uneven performances in the Atlético shirt.
Everyone expects a great performance from the Calchinense under the orders of his compatriot Diego Pablo Simeone. However, let's see how in the case of Cholo's Atlético de Madrid, a great investment did not always (or almost never) lead to great sporting performance. First of all, it should be said that these figures are taken from Transfermakt.
10. Matheus Cunha - 35 million
He came in as the new Diego Costa and ended up being the new Nikola Kalinić, improved, but not by much. He barely played 40 games in the two half seasons he wore the red and white, in which he was able to score 6 goals. Strong, quick in space, with mobility and defensive sacrifice: on paper a great player.
His characteristics were a high priority, but what was really high was his market value: up to 50 million was what Wolves paid for the Brazilian. Represented by Jorge Mendes, he went from a team where Jorge Mendes has influence to a team where Jorge Mendes' company has shares. Another 'Mendesinha', a trademark of the house.
9. Jackson Martinez - 35 million
Long gone is that article by Alberto Barbero in the newspaper MARCA entitled: "The man who believed more in God than in himself is gone" . Not to mention that programme by the now defunct "Manolos de Deportes Cuatro" welcoming him with a video of the 'Jackson Five'. You don't want to know who the other four members are.
He averaged 22 goals per season at Porto and came to Atleti to replace Mario Mandžukić, but the truth is that Raúl Jiménez was almost more important than him. In half a season he had time to demonstrate his faith in God... and little else.
He left for Guangzhou Evergrande for 42 million at the peak of the Chinese League, making 8 million in profit. Not in seven lifetimes would I give to thank our Asian colleagues for such a transaction. By the way, he got into the world of ecclesiastical music, one of his most famous hits being "Cuando Todo Marcha" , unlike during his time with Atletico.
8. Alvaro Morata - 35 million
The martyr saint of the team he plays for . The world is against him and he is convinced of it. If he fails in a one-on-one in the Champions League quarter-finals, he is surprised that people criticise him (in football terms).
Possibly the most self-destructive footballer on the list, he is his own enemy. If he was focused, he could be the starting striker in any top-level team, scoring 20 goals. His highlights include celebrating and asking for forgiveness at Anfield, his TikToks and being the striker with the most dreams.
His first return to Atlético last season was spectacular , but he was once again consistent in the same irregularity that he has been in every year. It's a shame how he left, but who are we to stop people from doing what they want. Let's hope that at least he enjoyed the Euros as a Milan player.
7. Rodrigo De Paul - 35 million
With the potential to dictate the pace of the red-and-white midfield, he still has a lot to prove. Last year, he changed his hairstyle and grew as a footballer. He was a key piece in the signing of 'la araña' and we hope that this will help him reach the level that Cholo demands of him.
World champion and two-time American champion, people expect much more from him and, above all, more consistency to help the team grow. 'Motorcito' De Paul, please don't follow the trend of this list.
6. Vitolo - 35.6 million
I still remember when in the summer of 2017, the Atletico board was debating whether to bring in Victor Machín 'Vitolo' or Fabinho from Monaco. I still have nightmares. His signing came after a somewhat strange move, signing for Las Palmas on a free transfer that same summer and arriving at Atleti in January.
Four-time Europa League champion, he clung to the club from Atlético like Chico marking Xavi at the Camp Nou. He could get injured, being injured when he was about to complete the seven years he signed for Atlético de Madrid. He was released on July 1 and, as life gives you surprises, he is still (and will continue to be) free.
In fact, the signing was perfect for Atleti at that time. One day we will know what went wrong and why they sent us a nerfed Vitolo from Seville.
5. Radamel Falcao - 40 million
The best pure striker these eyes have ever seen. History of Atlético de Madrid and Spanish football . The Europa League was his garden where rivals were falling like bowling pins.
He left Atlético de Madrid in tears because of that damned thirdparty ownership. An economic juggling act where the rights of a player were held by a third party - who was neither the club nor the player - who could decide the future of the player. Luckily, FIFA would ban it after a few years.
The 'Tiger' left Atlético with 70 goals and 9 assists in two seasons . I'm still trying to assimilate the magnitude of those figures, how lucky we were to experience it. Thanks for giving some shine to this top 10, Colombian.
4. Diego Costa - 60 million
He makes it into the top for his second (or third, depending on how you look at it) spell , which we will only evaluate. He arrived at the Metropolitano in 2018 at Cholo's express wish and after saying anything but nice things with Antonio Conte at Chelsea.
His first match was an Atlético de Madrid - Getafe match. He was shown a yellow card in the 67th minute. Two minutes later he scored a goal, went to celebrate with the crowd, and was shown a second yellow card and then he was sent off: pure Diego Costa.
Despite a rather poor performance, his best game was in Tallinn against Real Madrid. That European Super Cup would be the first European final that the white team would lose in 18 years. A display by the Spanish-Brazilian who had the two Madrid centre-backs as his children throughout the match.
3. Thomas Lemar - 72 million
If we were talking about the European Super Cup earlier, we cannot forget Thomas Lemar. Brought in by his friend Antoine Griezmann that same year, he had a magnificent first game. The hype he raised among the Atlético fans gradually faded as he played games.
With much more potential than he has shown , his best season was 20/21, when the League was won. He remains at Atlético de Madrid because no one has come to pay his release clause. Something inside me is still hoping that, while he is at the club, he will make the leap in quality that is asked of him, but I think that his time has already passed.
2. Julian Alvarez - 75 million
A forward with a nickname like an animal and performance... yet to be proven. He has everything, like many on this list, to succeed at Atlético de Madrid, but there is a long way to go from saying to doing.
Messi didn't win a World Cup until the spider came along. Guardiola didn't win a Champions League with Manchester City until the spider came along. I don't think he'll be able to do it at Atlético, right?
Although I would also be happy to win a title with him as a extrem to make the football gurus angry.
1. Joao Felix - 127.2 million
Although it was at zero cost, the price for which Antoine Griezmann was sold was bought from 'O Menino d'Ouro'. He never really settled into the starting eleven and blamed Simeone and his style of play.
He went to Chelsea in search of minutes and got them... on the bench. A position that was also common when he left for Xavi's Barça or also for Fernando Santos or Roberto Martínez's Portuguese national team.
He has done worse off the pitch than on it , and that's saying something, but as long as he is at Atlético de Madrid I will support him like anyone else. In terms of quality he is among the two best in the team and, I can say without fear of being wrong, that if he is focused he has the potential to be the best footballer in the world.
His destination seems to be Chelsea again, for Conor Gallagher to join. The 'blues', by the way, look more like a summer camp than a professional team.