Griezmann left Atleti in that way in 2019 and two years later, on the horn and by surprise, he has returned to the Cholo fold. And whatever they say, second parts sometimes if they were good. In the rojiblanco team they already know it, because the French not the first round trip What does a player do? In the Simeone era, a few left, each for their own reasons, and ended up coming back, with very different results, both outside the house and on their return.
The last to return after going out in a strange way and also after two years by Erasmus, although much further than Griezmann's, it was Carrasco. The Belgian left by surprise in February 2018 to China, together with Gaitán, and in the 2020 winter market returned, when the team was looking for a nine (Cavani, specifically). The winger barely had time for anything, because a few weeks later the world stopped due to the coronavirus, but when football returned, a Carrasco appeared with the best of the first stage, but more mature and supportive. “I no longer get angry about nonsense on the field …”, acknowledged Ace last year. Undoubtedly, his arrival has been a success, he was a key piece to get the title and is indisputable for Simeone.
From Atlético champion to Chelsea
Who during these years of Cholismo has given time to win titles, leave, come back, win more titles and leave again is Diego Costa. When Simeone arrived at Atleti, the Spanish-Brazilian was on loan at the Lightning, but in the next two years he won the Cup and the League as a rojiblanco. He became a star and in 2014, after taking the league title and touching the Champions League, he left to Chelsea. There won the Premier in the year of its premiere, but soon it began to show that it wanted to return. He spent three years at Stamford Brigde and, after rebelling against Conte and Simeone's insistence, Atleti bought it back for 17-18. He could not be registered in the summer due to the FIFA sanction, but he started in January with fury and goals. However, his last stage as rojiblanco It has not left by far the good taste of the previous one. Even so, it was important for the Europa League and much more for the European Super Cup against Madrid. Last December he asked the club to let him out.
In 2014, by the hand of Costa, Filipe Luis went to Chelsea (and Tiago was close). It cost the side a lot the Premier and his return was much faster: a year after leaving I was back at the Calderón. In his case, it could be said that he felt the cold away from Atleti del Cholo. In blue he did not triumph, but in rojiblanco he was important again and stayed another four seasons, for a total of 333 games. One that also arrived twice and left fast in both is Diego Ribas: yielded in 11-12 and in the second half of 13-14.
Speaking of the Simeone era, Cholo himself was a two-stage footballer at Atleti. In the first, between 1994 and 1997, it was one of the heroes of the Double. In 2003 he returned, although his role was much less relevant. And since 2011 the third, is as a coach and with the results that we all know. And what's left.
The return of the Child … who has returned again
In this decade of cholismo also returned Fernando Torres. The youth squad was the most important emergence of Atleti in many years, since his debut in 2001 he pulled the job in a very tough stage of the club and he left for Liverpool in 2007. Years later, in January 2015, He returned home and filled the Calderón in the presentation. In 2018 the thorn of celebrating a title with his team, the Europa League. Now he's in the first steps of a new stage, he's like quarry coach.
Other footballers in the house made this round trip, not counting assignments. For instance, Gabi. The mythical captain made his debut in 2004 with the first team, he went on loan to Getafe, returned and in 2007 began an adventure of four years at Zaragoza. After a great last year (10 goals), Atleti signed him and Gabi wore red and white for another seven seasons. Something similar happened to another Legend of the house like Aerie (456 games, the 5th most), transferred to Tenerife in 1993 and recovered in 1996. Already Mario Suarez, sold to Majorca in 2008 and re-caught in 2010.
Historical like Futre, Marcos Alonso …
Much further back also lived two stages Futre. The first signing of Jesús Gil played six seasons at Atlético until he left for Benfica in 1993. He returned for 1997-98, but played just 10 games before going to Japan to retire. He also had a third stage, as a sports director. Another historical, Marcos Alonso spent three years for Atleti (1979-82), he left for Barça and returned in 1987, although this second stage of two seasons could barely shine due to a knee injury.