Alex Baena and Atletico Madrid Duo Raise The Bar

It was taken with a pinch of salt when President Enrique Cerezo declared that Atletico Madrid had been aiming for titles subsequent season, whereas supervisor Diego Simeone is sort of obligated to say as a lot. Nevertheless the message from the Atletico dressing room has been clear: there’s a perception that they’ll go all the best way in one of many three main competitions subsequent season.

Making eight signings this summer season for a complete of €149m not together with variables, Atletico have spent massive for a second summer season in a row, and the scent of ambition is within the air on the Metropolitano.

Alex Baena – ‘I’m right here to win titles’

None dearer than Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena, who was introduced on Monday, costing €42m. Cerezo thanked Baena for turning down different others in an effort to signal for Atletico.

“I’ve all the time wished to come back to Atleti: I held out so long as I might to come back right here. I’m right here to point out all the things I’ve proven at Villarreal, and I’m right here, above all, to win titles,” he advised Diario AS.

“We’re going to tattoo multiple,” Baena advised his new boss, referencing the truth that he has a behavior of tattooing each trophy he has received, to date the Europa League, Olympics and Euro 2024.

‘We don’t lack ambition’ – Pablo Barrios

In the meantime midfielder Pablo Barrios, in line to take a outstanding position in midfield alongside new signings Johnny Cardoso and Baena, defined to AS that they had been desperately attempting to keep away from a third-place end.

“It’s not simply because six [discounting Clement Lenglet and Juan Musso] new signings have arrived. We prepare day-after-day, to not end third. Nobody goes out onto the pitch with the ambition of ending third; we exit with the ambition of being champions. This 12 months is trying superb; many gamers have arrived, and I hope it may be so.”

🚨 Samuel Lino has arrived in Brazil to signal with Flamengo!@rodrigolima93_ pic.twitter.com/ysWZy0cmTy

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 29, 2025

With Atletico failing to take the any of the three competitions they had been in going into March by the scruff of the neck, and within the case of La Liga, struggling to beat Getafe, Las Palmas and Espanyol, Los Rojiblancos have been accused of settling for third.

“I do know lots of people say that, but it surely’s not true. After we exit to play, we don’t have that mindset; now we have the mindset of attempting to win each recreation, giving our all, after which it could or could not go effectively.”

‘We now have to win titles’ – Giuliano Simeone

If the messaging was not clear, Cholo Simeone’s personal son was not afraid of including stress for his workforce and his father. Giuliano Simeone was unequivocal that all the squad had been aiming for trophies.

“Everybody, certainly. I believe we now know what Atletico Madrid is, what we’ve been doing all through the method over time, and now now we have to win titles. However I believe to realize that, the essence of the membership is to go daily, to enhance in each coaching session, to go recreation by recreation, and to all the time have the ability to get the three factors.”

“The Champions League. Surely. Completely. Surely,” he advised Marca, when requested which trophy he would most wish to win.