Futre: Rojiblanco Loyalty Above All Else
The Metropolitano vibrated in an emotional tribute to Paulo Futre, an undisputed legend of Atlético de Madrid, on the 35th anniversary of his debut as a Rojiblanco.
Futre, in a recent podcast, recalled iconic moments of his career, including that unforgettable derby at the Bernabéu where, in addition to scoring a goal, he performed a memorable nutmeg.
The captain lifted the champion’s cup, presented by King Juan Carlos, a moment he describes as comparable to winning the Champions League with Porto in terms of joy. In a fascinating account, Futre also revealed how he rejected an offer from Real Madrid in 1993, after the corruption scandal at Olympique de Marseille.
Despite the interest from the white club and the tense relations between the presidents of both clubs, Futre prioritized his connection with Atlético. He recalled the anti-rival clause that Gil imposed when he left for Benfica, but what really stopped him was thinking about his children and how they would live if he joined the eternal rival.
“How are they going to live in Madrid? I am a legend at Atlético de Madrid, how am I going to go to the rival?” Futre asked himself. Finally, he rejected the contract, a decision he does not regret. “If I had gone, today I would have been just one more.
Today, at almost 60 years old, Atlético still considers me one of the greats,” he stated. His loyalty and love for the Rojiblanco club have made him an eternal idol for the Colchoneros fans.
