Atletico celebrate title win on streets of Madrid
madrid — Thousands of fans lined the streets to salute Atletico Madrid players as they paraded through the Spanish capital to celebrate the team’s Europa League triumph.
Players, coaches and club officials met with the city mayor and the community president before parading through some of the city’s main roads and plazas on an open bus.
They ended the night on the Fountain of Neptune — the club’s traditional celebration spot — where a stage and large screens were set up to welcome the players. Each team member was introduced to loud chants from the crowd, and the team’s captain Gabi and other players draped an Atletico scarf around the Neptune statue.
Antoine Griezmann heard fans and his teammates call for him to stay at the club for another season. Griezmann, who scored twice in the team’s 3-0 win over Marseille on Wednesday, is rumored to be on his way out of Atletico.
Barcelona is reportedly interested in signing the France forward.
Torres, one of the club’s greatest idols, is definitely leaving at the end of the season. The veteran forward received some of the loudest cheers from the crowd, along with popular coach Diego Simeone.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo, in a speech after meeting with local officials, proudly foresaw Atletico “playing the Champions League final in our stadium” next year. The final will be held at the club’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. “We want to be back here in a year celebrating the title,” he said.
Atletico needs a draw against Eibar on Sunday to secure second place in the Spanish league, behind champion Barcelona. —