March 8, 2012. That is a date etched in fire, and ink, on the skin of Saúl Ñiguez. March 8, 2012, Europa League. Saúl made his debut with the rojiblanca. He replaced Koke against Besiktas. six minutes. The first of the 340 games he played with Atlético, becoming fourth captain. The anniversary takes him away, in London, Chelsea, where he is on loan from Atlético, but close to the head. The rojiblanco club of this one never leaves. And Saul has proven it numerous times. When the team plays, he is always there. His comment, his tweet, always pending, always with encouragement. This afternoon there have been several and all in the same direction: the memories of that March 8 that was his debut with the red and white.
“A decade since I made my debut with Atleti… 10 years from this moment when Atleti communicated on their channels that I was officially making my debut with the first team. How time flies”, he wrote while retweeting the rojiblanco club’s tweet that day: “Minute 83, Saúl enters and Koke leaves. Youth squad by youth squad. Saúl debuts at the Calderón with the first team, congratulations“. But it was not the only one.
“Atleti is not just a club, it is a feeling and values that will accompany me for the rest of my life”, he also put at the same time that he made another retweet of that day, his statements collected in 140 characters: “It is an honor to be here.” “Dreams come true”, too. And a photo of the tattoo on his arm with that date, 3-8-2012 and another rojiblanco tweet from the club: “Saúl’s statements: ‘It’s the most special day of my life.’ ‘And it has been for these 10 years. And it will remain so all my life.”, wrote the youth squad. From London. With great nostalgia.