Enrique Cerezo: “Atlético grows in the face of adversity”

Enrique Cerezo (Madrid, 73 years old) is the president under whose mandate Atlético has played the most games throughout its history. Cerezo has presided over 982 matches of the rojiblanco team: 510 victories, 237 draws and 235 defeats (1,542 goals for and 936 against). Surpassed Vicente Calderón: 966 games, 483 victories, 234 draws and 249 defeats (1,543 goals for and 985 goals against).

Cerezo has won eight titles in its men’s section (two Leagues, one Cup, one Spanish Super Cup, two Europa League and two European Super Cups). And in women’s football he has won three Leagues and a Spanish Super Cup under the name Atlético de Madrid Femenino and under Atlético de Madrid Féminas a Copa de la Reina. Vicente Calderón won ten titles in his two stages as president (four Leagues, three Cups, one Cup, one Spanish Super Cup and one Intercontinental). Cerezo attended AS to talk about his years as president with a new derby as a backdrop.

The derby

Cerezo is motivated by Real Madrid, although he does not want to say it openly: “It is not about motivation, it is an important game that is played in a field with history and to which we return after having played in Valdebebas“. The Athletic comes from winning in Porto and to move forward in the Champions League, when many considered him buried: “I lived the game with confidence in the team despite the difficulties we faced due to injuries and casualties. In the end it was a quiet game and we were very happy with it. “

In Porto, Atlético recovered the old values ​​of cholismo, those for which it won titles and fame in European football: “Our team has a way of playing and an approach that it demonstrates in every game. In Porto we once again showed that we grow in the face of difficulties and we showed the winning character, competitive spirit and sacrifice that differentiates us. The draw? There is no choice. It only remains to wait and see which rival we have. We will compete regardless of the rival. “

Cerezo acceded to the presidency on May 28, 2003. And he was remembering with AS moments lived as a leader through personal belongings of those 982 parties. First, a certificate of the Centennial of the club, as president of the Organizing Committee … “I was the president of the Organizing Committee for the Centennial of Atlético de Madrid, which was celebrated in a fantastic way and with the presidency of the, at that time, the Prince of Spain, and today the King, Don Felipe. We played with Osasuna and lost 0-1. The truth was, it was the bad thing about the whole Centennial. There were many events, where the affection of the Atlético public was wonderful and celebrating 100 years was a very important date. Thank God we had a magnificent Centennial with the black mark of the result. The Atlético flag went around all of Madrid and we lost a very important game. “

The next souvenir is the official invitation to the dinner of the Europa League final in Hamburg, May 12, 2010, where Atlético won a European title again: “That was where it all started, with a great team, with a splendid Forlán, a wonderful Agüero, a great team. That day was magnificent, we beat Fulham 2-1, with a late goal from Forlán. There is a very nice photo of Don Felipe in the box of honor when we scored the goals. It was beginning to build what was the beginning of the last ten years. It is the beginning of a magnificent ten years that I hope can continue for more. “

We show you the accreditation of the Bucharest final, in the Europa League final on May 9, 2012: “It was a magnificent game against Athletic. In a beautiful stadium, almost recently opened. We had a great meeting. We do not suffer. An impressive Falcao scored two goals. The only pity was that it was a Spanish team that we competed with. But it was a very beautiful and very important day. The continuation after what happened in Hamburg “.

The Metropolitan

Cerezo reads the official invitation to the inauguration of the Wanda Metropolitano, on September 16, 2017: “A spectacular day. It was one of the best things I have been able to experience at Atlético. The change of house, with the nostalgia that we had and have the Calderón, which was a magnificent field. Everyone was seated and I am not saying this because of the famous poster that the fans were carrying on the opening day. I was also lucky to be there. I have experienced both inaugurations. The one at the Wanda Metropolitano was wonderful not only for how the stadium was but for how it is today. Modern, with a Metro station, comfortable, pleasant and beautiful to see. It has led to the leap into the future. “

Cerezo picks up a Filipe Luis shirt from that day: “He is a good friend and one of the best full-backs in this team and in this country. It’s a shame that the players have a birthday. I have always had a great relationship with all the players. And furthermore, from the time of the beginning, with Futre, with Toni, with anyone … It didn’t matter. With Falcao, with Gabi, with Kun Agüero, who we brought him with 18 years. I am proud to have been the team president for all of them. I would mention you all. With Fernando Torres, with Antonio López, with Forlán … We have had very good players and many of them also Spanish: Koke, Gabi, Saúl… “. Now he has a world champion, Griezmann, whom Cerezo always wanted: “Antoine is a magnificent player, one of the best in the world, and all the athletic ones know what it gives for our jersey in every game. He has had and has our full support and trust. “

Cerezo is excited when he sees the ball with which Atlético won the last League in Valladolid: “How this difficult League has been achieved, the way to fight match by match is to take it into account and it is exciting. It was played without an audience and that for a player is very hard. It looks like they are in training. They got psyched up to accomplish all of this. The same thing that we lost in the Champions League at the end, we won it in the last game and with a wonderful goal from Luis Suárez and with this magnificent ball that must be kept as a souvenir. Of the titles that I won I stay with La Liga at the Camp Nou, in Barcelona. Whoever won was champion. We had one more option: draw. When we were champions, the best thing I have seen in the world of football was to see the Barcelona fans applauding Atlético. I get excited. And that is worthy of being grateful. “

Cerezo has also won titles with Atlético Femenino: “We always believed in women’s football. We thought we had to have a good team. We get titles, Leagues and put 60,000 people in an Atlético-Barcelona stadium in this stadium. I don’t think anyone will. It can be done, but I see it difficult. “

Tallinn

On the table is the pennant of the final of the Tallinn European Super Cup (15-08-2018) against Real Madrid, where Atlético won 2-4: “I saw him in the middle of Ceferin and Infantino. Diego Costa played a great game, and it was a memorable match. You remember how good it was, because of the friendliness of the teams. There was nothing to hinder the smooth running of the final. I always said the same thing. You may like one more than the other, be more of Madrid than of Atleti. Where we have to get angry is on the pitch. The rivalry is sporting. In another aspect, in the institutional one, it is cordial. Not only with Madrid, but with the other teams. “

The derby comes back on stage: “I am always optimistic before each game, but the development of the match can change your feelings. We play against a Real Madrid that is having a great season and proof of this is the position it occupies in the table. We have great confidence in our team and we are looking forward to getting a good result. Atlético goes without fear wherever “.

The talk ends by referring to Simeone: “I congratulate you on these ten years, for that decade of great triumphs, economic, institutional and sporting. Congratulations Cholo. It will be here as long as it wants. “And toast to a 2022 full of successes:” Merry Christmas and we hope that this year there will be a title. “