Former Players

Adrián Escudero led Atlético's line for thirteen seasons from 1945 to 1958, and his 169 goals in official matches still rank among the highest totals in club history. He was a driving force of the back-to-back league titles of 1949-50 and 1950-51 alongside Ben Barek. In 1953 he scored the club's 1,000th goal in the top flight from the penalty spot, writing his name into a milestone moment. A one-club man at the highest level, he devoted his entire top-flight career to Atlético and even returned briefly as manager after retiring. In both numbers and loyalty, he bridges the founding years and the club's first golden age.

• La Liga 1949-50
• La Liga 1950-51
• Copa Eva Duarte 1951

• Atlético Madrid 1945-1958

Apps

330

Goals

169

Assists

—

Nicknamed the Black Pearl, Larbi Ben Barek arrived from Stade Français in 1948 and led Atlético's attack as one of the first African-born stars to shine in Europe. Under Helenio Herrera he was central to the back-to-back league titles of 1949-50 and 1950-51, forming with Escudero one of the most feared forward lines in Spain. His technique and elegance on the ball were exceptional — Pelé is said to have called him the god of football. He remained a reliable source of goals until returning to Marseille in 1953. Morocco's first world-class footballer, his name remains engraved in the club's history.

• La Liga 1949-50
• La Liga 1950-51
• Copa Eva Duarte 1951

• Atlético Madrid 1948-1953

Apps

123

Goals

63

Assists

—

Enrique Collar signed in 1952 and, after a loan at Cádiz, played sixteen seasons in the first team from 1953 to 1969, captaining the side for ten years from 1960 — the longest captaincy in the club's history. On the left wing he formed the legendary Ala Infernal with Joaquín Peiró, helping to win three Copas, the 1962 Cup Winners' Cup and the 1965-66 league title. He was also the first Atlético player to be nicknamed El Niño, a moniker later inherited by Fernando Torres. His 470 appearances and 105 goals across all competitions stand as a monument to loyalty and consistency. He passed away in December 2025 at the age of 91, mourned by the entire club.

• La Liga 1965-66
• Copa del Rey 1959-60
• Copa del Rey 1960-61
• Copa del Rey 1964-65
• Recopa 1961-62

• Atlético Madrid 1953-1969

Apps

470

Goals

105

Assists

—

Madrid-born Joaquín Peiró was the inside forward of the famous Ala Infernal, the left-sided partnership with winger Enrique Collar that drove Atlético in the years before the Calderón. He helped win back-to-back Copas in 1959-60 and 1960-61, and in 1961-62 scored in both matches of the final against Fiorentina as Atlético lifted the Cup Winners' Cup, the club's first European trophy. Quick, incisive and prolific, he maintained a remarkable scoring rate in the league. He left for Torino in 1962 and later won the European Cup with Inter. A son of Madrid loved to the end, his name is forever tied to that first European triumph.

• Copa del Rey 1959-60
• Copa del Rey 1960-61
• Recopa 1961-62

• Atlético Madrid 1954-1962

Apps

166

Goals

91

Assists

—

Born in Badajoz, Adelardo scored on his league debut in 1959 and went on to anchor the midfield for seventeen seasons. His 553 official appearances stood for decades as the club record and remain second only to Koke. He put his name on almost every trophy of the golden era: three league titles, five Copas, the 1962 Cup Winners' Cup and the Intercontinental Cup of 1974. Never flashy, he controlled matches through stamina and reading of the game, indispensable under a succession of managers. He also played in the 1974 European Cup final, witnessing the club's glories and heartbreaks from the front line. Adelardo embodies Atlético's continuity like no one else.

• La Liga 1965-66
• La Liga 1969-70
• La Liga 1972-73
• Copa del Rey 1959-60
• Copa del Rey 1960-61
• Copa del Rey 1964-65
• Copa del Rey 1971-72
• Copa del Rey 1975-76
• Recopa 1961-62
• Intercontinental 1974

• Atlético Madrid 1959-1976

Apps

553

Goals

113

Assists

—

Luis Aragones stands at the center of Atletico history both as a player and later as a coach. After joining in 1964, he drove the team from midfield while also producing extraordinary scoring numbers for his era. The exact historical databases vary, but there is no doubt that he was one of the club's defining scorers and personalities. He played a major role in three league titles and two Copa del Rey triumphs across the 1960s and 1970s. More than a decorated footballer, he helped shape the competitive identity that later generations inherited. Few names fit the word legend more naturally than Luis Aragones.

• La Liga 1965-66
• La Liga 1969-70
• La Liga 1972-73
• Copa del Rey 1964-65
• Copa del Rey 1971-72

• Atlético Madrid 1964-1974

Apps

335

Goals

159

Assists

—

Born to a Basque family in Sarandí, Argentina, José Eulogio Gárate joined in 1966 and came to symbolise the Calderón's golden age as the gentleman striker — elegant, intelligent and ruthlessly efficient. He won the Pichichi as La Liga's top scorer in three consecutive seasons from 1968-69, and was a protagonist of three league titles and the Intercontinental Cup triumph. He scored the winning goals in both the 1972 and 1976 Copa finals, the man to trust when it mattered most. He was renowned as an embodiment of fair play in a rugged era. Remembered for his class as much as his numbers, Gárate is the face of Atlético's sixties and seventies.

• La Liga 1969-70
• La Liga 1972-73
• La Liga 1976-77
• Copa del Rey 1971-72
• Copa del Rey 1975-76
• Intercontinental 1974

• Atlético Madrid 1966-1977

Apps

241

Goals

109

Assists

—

Signed from Barcelona in 1973, Miguel Reina was the goalkeeper of Atlético's seventies. In his first season he experienced a league runner-up finish and the run to the 1973-74 European Cup final, and he went on to help win the Intercontinental Cup of 1974, the 1975-76 Copa and the 1976-77 league title. In that championship season he conceded just 29 goals in 30 matches to win the Zamora Trophy, the second of his career and his first in red and white. Calm and superbly positioned, he anchored a defensively formidable Atlético from the back. He is also known as the father of Pepe Reina, Spain's World Cup-winning goalkeeper of 2010.

• La Liga 1976-77
• Copa del Rey 1975-76
• Intercontinental 1974

• Atlético Madrid 1973-1980

Apps

213

Goals

0

Assists

—

With his long black hair flying down the left flank, Rubén Ayala — nicknamed El Ratón, the Mouse — was the Argentine attacker who powered Atlético's forward line through the seventies. Signed from San Lorenzo in 1973, he brought pace and relentless running, and had a hand in every major trophy of the period: the Intercontinental Cup of 1974, the 1975-76 Copa and the 1976-77 league title. He played in the club's first European Cup final in 1973-74, and scored for Argentina at the 1974 World Cup. The image of Ayala in full flight remains one of the enduring pictures of the Calderón's seventies.

• La Liga 1976-77
• Copa del Rey 1975-76
• Intercontinental 1974

• Atlético Madrid 1973-1980

Apps

169

Goals

45

Assists

—

Signed from Mexico's Pumas UNAM in 1981, Hugo Sánchez thrilled the crowds with acrobatic volleys and his trademark somersault celebration. After a difficult first season he improved year on year, and in 1984-85 won the Pichichi as La Liga's top scorer while driving Atlético to the Copa del Rey. His reflexes and athleticism in the box were unmatched in the Spanish game of the time, and it was at Atlético that he rose towards world-class status. In the summer of 1985, however, he crossed the city to Real Madrid — one of the most painful departures in the club's history. He remains a legend remembered in two registers: for what he gave, and for how he left.

• Copa del Rey 1984-85

• Atlético Madrid 1981-1985

Apps

111

Goals

54

Assists

—

Abel Resino guarded Atlético's goal from 1986 to 1995, the most dependable figure amid the turbulence of the Jesús Gil years. In 1990-91 he set a La Liga record of 1,275 consecutive minutes without conceding — a mark that still stands in the Spanish league. The streak ended in March 1991 with a goal by Sporting Gijón's Luis Enrique. He won the Zamora Trophy that season and was the goalkeeper of the back-to-back Copa del Rey triumphs of 1991 and 1992. He later returned to coach the club in 2009. His dependability still echoes in the Calderón's memory.

• Copa del Rey 1990-91
• Copa del Rey 1991-92

• Atlético Madrid 1986-1995

Apps

303

Goals

0

Assists

—

In 1987, fresh from winning the European Cup with Porto, Paulo Futre was brought to Madrid by the newly elected president Jesús Gil as his flagship signing. Runner-up for the Ballon d'Or that year, the left-footed dribbler monopolised the Calderón's roars with explosive acceleration and devastating changes of direction. Though plagued by knee injuries, he remained the heartbeat of the side through the back-to-back Copa del Rey wins of 1991 and 1992. A talent compared to Maradona, he defined Atlético's early nineties and returned for a short second spell in 1997-98. Still an outspoken lover of the club, he remains one of the most adored rojiblancos Portugal has ever produced.

• Copa del Rey 1990-91
• Copa del Rey 1991-92

• Atlético Madrid 1987-1993
• Atlético Madrid 1997-1998

Apps

215

Goals

52

Assists

—

Signed from Valladolid in 1993, José Luis Caminero was the archetypal box-to-box midfielder, arriving like an arrow from deep to score. In the double-winning season of 1995-96 he struck nine league goals, the driving force of a midfield alongside Simeone and Pantić. That year he received the Don Balón Award as the Spanish game's player of the year. A product of Real Madrid's academy who reached his peak in red and white, his story only deepened the Calderón's affection for him. He played for Spain at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96, and later returned to Atlético as sporting director.

• La Liga 1995-96
• Copa del Rey 1995-96

• Atlético Madrid 1993-1998

Apps

149

Goals

40

Assists

—

Born in Jerez, Kiko arrived from Cádiz in 1993, fresh from scoring twice in the Barcelona Olympic final — including the last-minute winner — to seal the gold medal. A most unusual forward, 1.89m tall yet defined by his touch, he was peerless at receiving with his back to goal and bringing others into play. He scored eleven goals in the double-winning season of 1995-96, the attacking reference inside and outside the box. Clever rather than flashy, and beloved for his character, he was one of the Calderón's favourite sons of the late nineties. He stayed through the bitter relegation of 2000 and remained until 2001. That loyalty is why his name is still among the first spoken when the Doblete is remembered.

• La Liga 1995-96
• Copa del Rey 1995-96

• Atlético Madrid 1993-2001

Apps

225

Goals

48

Assists

—

Before changing the club's history as a manager, Diego Simeone first captured the Calderón's soul as a player. Signed from Sevilla in 1994, the Argentine warrior reigned as the heartbeat of the double-winning midfield of 1995-96, scoring twelve goals himself in a decisive contribution to the league and cup triumph. The ball-winning, the fury, the sense for the decisive moment — the values later named Cholismo were already visible in how he played. After leaving for Inter in 1997 he returned in 2003 for two more seasons, closing the final chapter of his playing career in red and white. In 2011 he came back as manager, becoming only the second man to win the league with Atlético as both player and coach.

• La Liga 1995-96
• Copa del Rey 1995-96

• Atlético Madrid 1994-1997
• Atlético Madrid 2003-2005

Apps

172

Goals

30

Assists

—

Milinko Pantić is the protagonist of one of football's most improbable stories: an unknown left-footer signed at 28 from Greece's Panionios who wrote himself into club history within a year. Radomir Antić's personal pick, he supplied the double-winning side of 1995-96 with its creativity, scoring ten goals through precise free-kicks and left-footed deliveries. The crowning moment was his extra-time header to win the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. The following season he scored five goals to finish as top scorer of the Champions League — still the only Atlético player ever to do so. His left foot is remembered from an age when a set piece alone could make the Calderón's pulse race.

• La Liga 1995-96
• Copa del Rey 1995-96

• Atlético Madrid 1995-1998

Apps

139

Goals

36

Assists

—

Fernando Torres rose from the academy to the first team and became the club's symbol at a remarkably young age. Named club captain at just 19, he became a symbol of hope for Atletico during a difficult era. He carried the attack with pace, finishing, and loyalty throughout his first spell, laying the foundation for his legendary status. He left in 2007, but his return in 2015 was one of the most emotional moments in the club's modern history. In his second spell he contributed less through explosive speed and more through experience, sacrifice, and timely contributions in major matches. He departed in 2018 after helping Atletico win the Europa League, closing the circle with dignity. For supporters, El Nino represents far more than statistics.

• UEL 2017-18

• Atlético Madrid 2001-2007
• Atlético Madrid 2015-2018

Apps

404

Goals

129

Assists

23

Signed from Boca Juniors in 2004, Luis Perea was the Colombian centre-back who held Atlético's last line together for eight seasons. Armed above all with recovery pace few forwards could beat, he remained a mainstay through years of constant managerial change. He was there for every European trophy of the club's revival: the 2009-10 Europa League, the 2010 UEFA Super Cup and the 2011-12 Europa League. In 2011 he became, at the time, the foreign player with the most competitive appearances in the club's history. And then there is the most famous statistic of all: 314 official matches, zero goals. A quiet iron man whose refusal to score became a legend of its own.

• UEL 2009-10
• UEL 2011-12
• UEFA Super Cup 2010
• UEFA Intertoto Cup 2007

• Atlético Madrid 2004-2012

Apps

314

Goals

0

Assists

—

Signed from Espanyol in 2005, Maxi Rodríguez was the Argentine winger whose ferocious left foot, cutting in from the right, gave a rebuilding Atlético its goal threat. A ruptured cruciate ligament wrecked his 2006-07 season, but he won back his place through commitment and end product. When Fernando Torres left for Liverpool in 2007, Maxi took over as club captain. In November 2009 he even scored four goals in a single Copa del Rey match. He joined Liverpool in January 2010, but the years he spent holding together a team fighting its way back to Europe are still quietly appreciated.

• UEFA Intertoto Cup 2007

• Atlético Madrid 2005-2010

Apps

121

Goals

32

Assists

—

Sergio Agüero arrived as a teenager and developed into one of Atletico's brightest modern stars. His low center of gravity, acceleration, dribbling, and calm finishing made his talent unmistakable from an early stage. Alongside Diego Forlan, he formed one of the most exciting attacking pairings of the late 2000s. Agüero played a key role in the 2010 Europa League and UEFA Super Cup victories, helping return the club to continental relevance. By the time he left in 2011, he had already passed the 100-goal mark for Atletico. Kun is remembered as the greatest talent the club nurtured and sent out to the world.

• UEL 2009-10
• UEFA Super Cup 2010

• Atlético Madrid 2006-2011

Apps

234

Goals

101

Assists

48

Diego Forlán arrived in 2007 and gave Atletico's attack a mixture of elegance, range, and ruthless end product. He could strike with either foot, score from distance, and decide matches with a single clean contact. His 2008-09 Pichichi confirmed him as one of La Liga's elite scorers. In the 2010 Europa League final he scored twice and personally drove Atletico to a major European trophy. He also helped the club win the UEFA Super Cup and became the attacking face of an important transitional period. During his four seasons, Forlán secured a lasting place in the club's modern memory.

• UEL 2009-10
• UEFA Super Cup 2010
• Pichichi 2008-09

• Atlético Madrid 2007-2011

Apps

198

Goals

96

Assists

31

David de Gea joined the academy at thirteen and, in September 2009, made his debut at eighteen in a Champions League match against Porto — and simply never gave the goalkeeper's jersey back. A slender teenager with otherworldly reflexes, he backstopped the 2009-10 Europa League triumph, keeping goal in the final against Fulham, and was part of the 2010 UEFA Super Cup win over Inter. In June 2011 he left for Manchester United for what was then a British record fee for a goalkeeper. That one of the world's finest keepers began in the cantera remains a source of pride in the club's academy story.

• UEL 2009-10
• UEFA Super Cup 2010

• Atlético Madrid 2009-2011

Apps

84

Goals

0

Assists

—

After four years at Zaragoza, Gabi returned to his boyhood club and became the emotional and tactical anchor of the Simeone era. From deep midfield he set the rhythm, sensed danger early, and fought whenever the match demanded edge and control, embodying Atletico's fighting spirit. He captained the team at the Bernabéu in the historic 2013 Copa del Rey final victory. As captain, he then led Atletico to the 2013-14 La Liga title and helped define a historic cycle. He was never about glamorous numbers, but about structure, authority, and collective belief. Even after leaving in 2018, Gabi remains one of the clearest images of what a modern Atletico captain should be.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• Supercopa 2014
• UEL 2011-12
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2012

• Atlético Madrid 2003-2007
• Atlético Madrid 2011-2018

Apps

417

Goals

10

Assists

43

Raúl García joined Atlético from CA Osasuna in 2007 and became a cornerstone of the squad for eight seasons. Operating as an attacking midfielder and second striker, he combined aerial dominance with a keen eye for goal, recording 45 goals in 329 appearances. He was integral to the club's golden era, lifting the UEFA Europa League in 2010, the Copa del Rey in 2013, and La Liga in 2013-14, as well as two UEFA Super Cups in 2010 and 2012. His fierce competitive spirit and tireless work rate made him the embodiment of Simeone's cholismo philosophy on the pitch. He departed for Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2015.

• UEFA Europa League 2010
• UEFA Super Cup 2010
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• Copa del Rey 2013
• LaLiga 2013-14
• Supercopa de España 2014

• Atlético Madrid 2007-2015

Apps

329

Goals

45

Assists

24

After loan experience, Diego Costa emerged as a true Atletico force and became one of the most characteristic strikers of the Simeone era. His mix of aggression, runs in behind, hold-up play, and raw emotion gave Atletico's attack a uniquely intimidating edge. He was fundamental to the 2013-14 La Liga title, not only through goals but through the pressure he placed on entire back lines. Costa also played a major role in the 2012-13 Copa del Rey success. His return in January 2018 did not fully recreate the first peak, but he still contributed to Europa League and UEFA Super Cup wins. Imperfect, combustible, and unforgettable, Costa remains one of Atletico's most emblematic forwards.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• UEFA Super Cup 2018
• UEFA Super Cup 2010

• Atlético Madrid 2010-2014
• Atlético Madrid 2017-2020

Apps

216

Goals

83

Assists

36

Diego Godin arrived from Villarreal in the summer of 2010 and quickly became the defining centre-back of the Simeone era. Dominant in the air, ferocious in duels, and superb at organizing the back line, he gave Atletico a defensive identity that opponents feared. His partnership with Miranda became one of the club's great modern pairings and was central to the 2013-14 La Liga title. The equalizing header against Barcelona on the final day remains one of the most iconic goals in club history. He also played a leading role in Copa del Rey, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup triumphs. Even after leaving in 2019, Godin remains one of the clearest embodiments of Cholismo.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• Supercopa 2014
• UEL 2011-12
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2010
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• UEFA Super Cup 2018

• Atlético Madrid 2010-2019

Apps

389

Goals

27

Assists

14

Filipe Luís brought intelligence and control to the left-back role in a way few players could. After joining in 2010, he became a pillar through one-on-one defending, positioning, and high-quality progression in possession. His style was never based purely on flair; it was built on reading the game and choosing the right action at the right moment. He was a dependable starter in the 2013-14 La Liga triumph, the Copa del Rey win, and multiple European titles. Even after a spell at Chelsea, he returned without losing his class or tactical sharpness. Filipe remains one of the players who defined Atletico's modern standard at left-back.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• UEL 2011-12
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• UEFA Super Cup 2018
• UEFA Super Cup 2010

• Atlético Madrid 2010-2014
• Atlético Madrid 2015-2019

Apps

333

Goals

12

Assists

30

Tiago brought poise and experience to Atletico's midfield and remains an essential figure in the club's early 2010s rise. His positioning, circulation of the ball, and control of tempo added calm to a side famous for intensity. Under Simeone he also embraced defensive work and became a model of tactical discipline. That balance of intelligence and commitment made him highly valuable during the runs to the La Liga title and Copa del Rey success. Injuries interrupted his later years, but even then he continued to give the team structure and composure when available. His later return to the club in a coaching role only deepened his place in Atletico's modern history.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• Supercopa 2014
• UEL 2011-12
• UEFA Super Cup 2010
• UEFA Super Cup 2012

• Atlético Madrid 2010-2017

Apps

228

Goals

19

Assists

14

Signed from Galatasaray in August 2011, Arda Turan was the Turkish fantasista who flourished as the Simeone era dawned. He was that rare thing: a creator whose dribbling and imagination dissolved perfectly into Cholismo's discipline and running. He was deeply involved in every trophy of the early Simeone years — the 2011-12 Europa League, the 2013 Copa del Rey and the 2013-14 league title — and scored a crucial goal on the road to the 2014 Champions League final. Until Barcelona paid around €34 million for him in the summer of 2015, the Calderón's number ten was the most unpredictable man on the pitch.

• UEL 2011-12
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• La Liga 2013-14
• Supercopa 2014

• Atlético Madrid 2011-2015

Apps

178

Goals

22

Assists

—

Juanfran joined in 2011 and became the long-term answer at right-back for a side built on reliability and discipline. He balanced defensive commitment with smart overlapping runs and fit perfectly into Simeone's demanding structure. Match after match, he delivered concentration, intensity, and tactical clarity on the flank. He was an important starter across the La Liga title, Copa del Rey success, and multiple Europa League and UEFA Super Cup wins. Beyond silverware, his value lay in how often he could be trusted in difficult matches. When he left in 2019, he did so as one of the most respected full-backs of Atletico's modern era.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• Supercopa 2014
• UEL 2011-12
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• UEFA Super Cup 2018

• Atlético Madrid 2011-2019

Apps

355

Goals

6

Assists

42

Miranda arrived in 2011 and, alongside Godin, helped elevate Atletico's defence to the elite level. He was not a loud defender, but his anticipation, aerial authority, and calm use of the ball made him immensely reliable. His extra-time winner in the 2013 Copa del Rey final turned him into a permanent hero in club memory. He was also a central figure in the 2013-14 La Liga title-winning back line, helping create one of Europe's hardest units to break down. Across four seasons as a defensive cornerstone, his contribution to silverware was enormous. Miranda remains remembered as a centre-back of quiet class and huge importance.

• La Liga 2013-14
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• Supercopa 2014
• UEL 2011-12
• UEFA Super Cup 2012

• Atlético Madrid 2011-2015

Apps

178

Goals

13

Assists

4

Radamel Falcao joined from Porto in 2011 and electrified the Vicente Calderon almost immediately. His penalty-box instincts, two-footed finishing, aerial power, and big-game ruthlessness made him a devastating centre-forward. He dominated the 2011-12 Europa League campaign and scored twice in the final to deliver the trophy. He then destroyed Chelsea with a hat-trick in the UEFA Super Cup, confirming his place among the elite strikers of the era. Falcao was also the attacking reference point in Atletico's 2012-13 Copa del Rey triumph. He left for Monaco in 2013, but his two seasons in red and white remain unforgettable.

• UEL 2011-12
• UEFA Super Cup 2012
• Copa del Rey 2012-13

• Atlético Madrid 2011-2013

Apps

91

Goals

70

Assists

9

Óliver Torres came through Atlético's youth academy and made his first-team debut under Diego Simeone in August 2012. A technically gifted attacking midfielder with an exquisite touch and exceptional vision, he earned a place in the squad that won La Liga in 2013-14. He also gained valuable experience on the European stage, appearing in 11 UEFA Champions League matches at a young age. After a loan spell at Villarreal from January to June 2014 and a season on loan at FC Porto in 2014-15, he returned to feature regularly in 2015-16, was loaned to Porto again in 2016-17, and completed a €20 million permanent move in 2017. He made 57 appearances with 2 goals and 4 assists for Atlético, and remains fondly remembered as one of the most talented products of the club's cantera.

• Copa del Rey 2013
• LaLiga 2013-14

• Atlético Madrid 2012-2017

Apps

57

Goals

2

Assists

4

As a homegrown midfielder, Saúl Ñíguez spent years supplying Atletico with energy, range, and tactical flexibility. He could play as an interior, deeper midfielder, or even in wider roles when the system required it. In his younger years he also produced memorable goals on the biggest European nights, helping define Atletico's presence on that stage. His career at the club stretched across multiple title-winning cycles, making him a bridge between different versions of the team. The later years were uneven, but his best level combined power, sacrifice, and timing in a way few teammates could match. Until his contract ended in 2025, Saúl remained one of the key academy-made symbols of modern Atletico.

• La Liga 2020-21
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2018
• UEL 2011-12
• Copa del Rey 2012-13
• Supercopa 2014

• Atlético Madrid 2012-2025

Apps

427

Goals

48

Assists

26

When David Villa, Spain's all-time top scorer, arrived from Barcelona in the summer of 2013, it was the start of a miracle season. He announced himself with a volley against his former club in the Supercopa, then scored 13 league goals in 36 matches, leading the line with Diego Costa as Atlético won their first league title since 1995-96. Even as a veteran, his movement and finishing fitted Simeone's team perfectly. He also played in the 2014 Champions League final, earning a permanent place in the memory of a historic side despite staying just one season. That summer he departed for New York City FC.

• La Liga 2013-14

• Atlético Madrid 2013-2014

Apps

47

Goals

15

Assists

—

Ángel Correa joined at the end of 2014 and, after overcoming heart surgery to make his debut in August 2015, spent a decade proving that he was not merely a useful attacker, but a genuine difference-maker. Able to operate as a second striker, winger, or attacking midfielder, he gave Atletico creativity in tight spaces and unpredictability around the box. He made meaningful contributions in the 2020-21 La Liga title run and in the 2018 European triumphs. Correa was never defined by glamour alone; he earned affection through longevity, versatility, and decisive actions. By the time he left in 2025, he had become one of the most beloved attacking figures of modern Atletico.

• La Liga 2020-21
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2018

• Atlético Madrid 2014-2025

Apps

469

Goals

88

Assists

65

Antoine Griezmann stands in Atlético's history through the most eloquent number of all: the club's all-time scoring record. Signed from Real Sociedad in 2014, he was the centre of the attack for five straight seasons, crowning the first spell with two goals in the 2018 Europa League final and the UEFA Super Cup that followed, the same year he won the World Cup with France. His 2019 departure to Barcelona via release clause turned the relationship sour, but after returning in 2021 he reigned once more as the team's brain. In January 2024 he passed Luis Aragonés to become the club's all-time top scorer, and finished with 212 goals in 501 official appearances. In May 2026, after ten seasons in red and white, he left the Metropolitano to an ovation.

• Supercopa 2014
• UEL 2017-18
• UEFA Super Cup 2018

• Atlético Madrid 2014-2019
• Atlético Madrid 2021-2026

Apps

501

Goals

212

Assists

—

Lucas Hernández joined Atlético's youth academy in 2007 and made his first-team debut on 3 December 2014 in a Copa del Rey match against CE L'Hospitalet. A versatile defender equally adept at left-back and centre-back, he developed rapidly under Diego Simeone's guidance. He was a key contributor to Atlético's UEFA Europa League triumph and UEFA Super Cup victory in 2018, making 110 appearances with 1 goal and 4 assists during his senior career at the club. In the summer of 2019, he moved to Bayern Munich for €80 million, a record fee for Atlético at the time. A product of the rojiblanco cantera, he also won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France.

• UEFA Europa League 2018
• UEFA Super Cup 2018

• Atlético Madrid 2014-2019

Apps

110

Goals

1

Assists

4

Yannick Carrasco arrived at Atlético from AS Monaco in 2015 and quickly established himself as a devastating left-sided attacker. His pace and dribbling ability were showcased on the biggest stage when he scored the 79th-minute equaliser against Real Madrid in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final. He also played a key role in Atlético's 2017-18 UEFA Europa League triumph. After a spell in China with Dalian Professional from February 2018, he returned to the club in 2020 and was a regular starter as Atlético clinched La Liga in 2020-21. Across two stints at the club, he amassed 266 appearances with 47 goals and 45 assists, cementing his status as one of Atlético's most exciting attacking talents. He moved to Al-Shabab in the summer of 2023.

• UEFA Europa League 2018
• LaLiga 2020-21

• Atlético Madrid 2015-2018
• Atlético Madrid 2020-2023

Apps

266

Goals

47

Assists

45

Luis Suárez joined in 2020 and immediately became the striker who tilted a title race. Even beyond his physical peak, his box intelligence and finishing remained world class. During the 2020-21 season he scored a series of decisive goals that directly pushed Atletico to the league title. He was more than a finisher, bringing game intelligence and ruthless timing in high-pressure moments. His stay was brief, but his impact was unmistakable and perfectly suited to a side chasing a championship. Suárez will always be remembered as one of the central figures in Atletico's second La Liga of the 21st century.

• La Liga 2020-21

• Atlético Madrid 2020-2022

Apps

83

Goals

34

Assists

6