Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has reiterated playing for Real Madrid would be ‘unthinkable’ ahead of Saturday’s Madrid derby.
The Spain international has been linked with a move across the city in the past, but he has reiterated his commitment to Los Rojiblancos.
“Joining Real Madrid would for me be unthinkable…it would be very, very difficult, almost impossible,” Saul told Cadena Ser’s El Larguero programme.
“On Saturday there is no favourite, the only thing we can know for sure is that it will be a beautiful game.
“We are a team who are growing and its natural that we are exposed to criticism because of this profile, but we do not want to be compared to Madrid or Barcelona.
“We are working to reach this level of course, and I believe at least six Atletico players would be starters in Madrid’s team, but we need to remain level-headed.
“Any side can have bad results, you always know that Sevilla can put you in trouble and Leganes may be a smaller club but you can see what they can do.
“Antoine Griezmann? He is a serious candidate for the Ballon d’Or and he would be my bet for the prize.
“The Wanda Metropolitano? I loved the Vicente Calderon, nowhere could replicate it or be the same. The union I felt there was unrivalled.”
