Diego Godin vows to stay with Atletico Madrid for the duration, having become a fan of the club since moving from Villarreal in 2010.
Godij was speaking after receiving an award at AS’ year-end gala and discussed the values of the club after they moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
“You always hope for the best, because that’s what we work for. It’s true that one of Atletico’s great virtues in recent years is a remarkable consistency and ambition to always be competitive and to fight with Real Madrid and Barca,” he said.
“It’s another great virtue [to sell players and not miss them] and starts with the coaching staff. They’ve found new guys, but over time they’re adapting. The team is better, and no wonder, because we have a great squad.
“I don’t think the team has peaked and I’m optimistic because the collective is stronger. We’ve had bad luck with Jackson Martinez’s injury, he’s struggled to adapt to the team and to Spanish football, and we’ve had other casualties.
“But we’re a team and with that we win games, beyond individuals that we have too. And this year we’re sharing the goals around.”
Godin confirmed he could have left Vicente Calderon before the start of the current season if he’d so desired, but insists he’ll be with Atletico for a long time to come, when it was put to him that the fans are with the team to the death.
“And I’m with Atletico to the death. I’m a fan again, I’ve become enchanted by the club, so I decided to stay and every day I’m happier I made that decision,” he revealed.
“I feel I can give more to Atletico and we can achieve important things. The best is yet to come.”
Godin also touched on the Champions League draw that pits Atleti against PSV Eindhoven and spoke of his desire to win the trophy.
“We’re not favourites. PSV came through a tough group, they’re a young team, in fact, if I’m not mistaken, they’re the youngest of any in the Champions League,” he pointed out.
“They’re very competitive, with very quick players and we will have to fight hard to counter their football and to assert ours. It will be a tough tie.
“Aim for the New Year? To win trophies. The dream of everyone at Atletico is to win the Champions League and we’ll fight for it.”
