Atlético Madrid's Greatest XI of This Century - But Only Picking One Player From Each Country
These one player per country XIs aren't getting any easier. This time around our challenge has moved to the Spanish capital. Atlético Madrid have a rich footballing history, with ten league titles and several domestic cups, not to mention numerous Europa League wins and two Champions League final appearances.
So we've refined this one down to just players from this century, to make it slightly easier for ourselves. Even so, there are still several guys who could count themselves unlucky not to make this XI. Sergio Aguero, Koke, Quinton Fortune...we thank you for your services, but you've just missed the cut.
Let's see who makes up the Atlético international set.
GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia)
Slovenian Jan Oblak has quietly established himself as one of the world's best goalkeepers while at Atlético. Statistically speaking he is at the top of the tree with the best save percentage (80.2%) of any goalkeeper since the beginning of 2014.
It's the command of his box that sets Oblak apart from other keepers. Strikers must really fear one-on-ones with him because his presence and awareness is second to none.
He's won La Liga keeper of the year four times, more than any other player.
RB: Kieran Trippier (England)
Who saw this one coming? Anyone? When Kieran Trippier left Tottenham last year, many thought he would head to a rival Premier League outfit but he shocked everyone by signing for Atlético and you have to say, so far, it's paid off.
Working under the meticulous Simeone, Trippier has become an integral part of their side this season that has progressed into the latter stages of the Champions League despite some patchy league form.
The boy from Bury looks to be somewhere close to his World Cup 2018 form again, where he was one of the players of the tournament.
CB: Stefan Savić (Montenegro)
When he was at Manchester City back in 2011, Savic was a bit of laughing stock. Often a deputy to either Kompany or Kolo Toure, he never was able to break into the starting XI with any sort of consistency.
He moved to Fiorentina and then later to Atlético where he transformed himself from a bit of lame horse into a real thoroughbred.
His partnership with first Godin and now Gimenez has been a major factor in the teams solidity and composure at the back in the last few years.
CB: Diego Godín (Uruguay)
Godín was signed for £6.6m in 2010. In today's market that is absolutely staggering and probably one of the biggest steals in transfer history. Godin was a rock at the Metropolitano. Reliable, strong and incredibly mentally tough.
Godín played almost 390 games across all competitions for the club and was an ever present for their domestic and European trophy wins from 2011-14.
LB: Filipe Luís (Brazil)
Chelsea fans won't believe this, but Luís makes this XI because of pure consistency and quality during two spells at Los Rojiblancos.
The less that is said about his below par spell at Stamford Bridge, the better really, as he failed to usurp right-footed César Azpilicueta in the title winning season under Mourinho and returned to old club Atlético the following season.
And if you look at Luís's record in Spain though, you can't argue against his inclusion. Tireless, loyal & composed, he may have not have been spectacular, but he was solid as they come.
RM: Yannick Carrasco (Belgium)
Belgian Carrasco squeezes in to our XI due to the classic Atlético formation of 4-4-2. Polarising to some fans, his performances have produced moments of greatness (scoring in the Champions League final of 2015) but consistency has often been his problem.
Struggled to keep his starting place after a stellar 2017-18 season where he scored 10 league goals to help the side to a second place finish; and moved on.
After two seasons playing in the Chinese Super League with Dalian Yifang (who Atléti's owners have a stake in), he returned on loan this season. The winger is looking to prove his worth to the club again, and at 26, he still has the time to make it happen.
CM: Diego Simeone (Argentina)
The current manager at the Wanda Metropolitano makes it in as player to this XI. He was a machine in the centre of the park and at two spells for the club, helped the team to a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey.
Returned to Atletico, after a phenomenal spell away at Lazio and Internazionale, in 2003 and continued to have an impact both on and off the field.
CM: Tiago Mendes (Portugal)
Another player who spent time at Chelsea, Tiago was everything manager Simeone wanted as Atletico built towards their title win. Tenacious, hard working and skilful, Tiago could play anywhere in the centre of the park and was aptly given the nickname 'the Washing Machine' while at Lyon.
It took a while for Tiago to find his home after his short but sweet stint in SW6. But once settled in Madrid, he was a solid presence for eight seasons.
LM: Antoine Griezmann (France)
One of the best players of this generation, the French playmaker lit up the Metropolitano. Equally good with either foot, Griezmann developed his game from a speedy winger to a complete forward, able to create, score and link up play.
Broke the club record for goals scored in a debut season, scored twice in the Europa League final in 2018 (which Atletico went on to win) and finished third in the Ballon d'Or twice. Also a World Cup winner with France. Left for the Camp Nou in 2019 after scoring 133 goals for the club.
He's also got great hair, which has to count for something, doesn't it?
ST: Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
What Atlético fans would give for the Falcao of 2011-13 again. He was simply unstoppable for two seasons in Madrid. 70 goals in 91 games. Yes, you read that right.
It's easy to forget that at one point, Falcao was probably the best finisher in European football.
Great in the air, lethal with either foot and always in the right place at the right time, the Colombian was in high demand in the summer of 2013 and eventually chose AS Monaco in order to follow in his idol Thierry Henry's footsteps.
But it all went wrong, after a serious ACL injury he never regained his best form and after a largely forgettable spell in England, he is now kicking it about for Galatasaray. A tale of what might have been.
ST: Fernando Torres (Spain)
And finally, our Spanish pick. Some may argue there have been more successful Spaniards at the club in the last century but none have the aura, the class and the longevity that Fernando Torres had.
At his peak in his early days with Atletico and then Liverpool, he was one of the best strikers on the planet. Quick, agile and deadly in the box, not to mention extremely hard working off the ball, he was everything you wanted up top. Played 350 games for the club over two spells (at each end of his career) and scored 121 goals.
Injury and a loss of confidence hampered his career in England but he rediscovered some of his old striking magic in his later years back at Atléti despite his diminishing speed. A club legend and arguably the greatest Spaniard to play in famous red and white stripes.