New Atletico Madrid signing Emre Belozoglu says is was Luis Aragones who told him what it meant to wear Atleti’s red and white shirt.
Emre, 31, acknowledges he faces a big challenge at the Vicente Calderon but revealed it was former Spanish national team boss Aragones who explained to him what it was to play for Los Colchoneros.
“Luis explained what it stands for but I’ve known all about the club since I was 10-years-old.” said Emre in an interview with AS.
“I watched a lot of football but was attracted by the team with the Turkish colours on its shirt, so gradually I learned that it was one of the most important in Spain.”
Seventy-three-year-old Aragones, who has had four spells in charge of Atletico spanning four decades, had Emre under his command during his tenure with Fenerbahce in the 2008-09 season, something for which the Turk is eternally grateful.
“He is a very special person. Some may think he is elderly but mentally he is young,”
“There has never been a Coach in Turkey with his knowledge, someone who loved discipline but was always close.
“I remember preparing for big games when he would tell us to relax and be with our families. He was a great character,” concluded Emre.
