Simeone credits Atletico Madrid’s collective effort after reaching historic La Liga mark

Diego Simeone says matching Luis Aragones’ record for La Liga victories is a shared achievement, after the Atletico Madrid manager reached the landmark during the club’s win over Levante.

The Argentine has now recorded 345 wins in 565 La Liga matches, alongside 123 draws and 98 defeats. That figure places him level with Aragones, who registered 344 victories in 756 matches, and underlines Simeone’s remarkable consistency during his long spell in charge of Atletico Madrid.

Speaking after the victory against Levante, Simeone stressed that the milestone belonged to the club as a whole rather than to him alone. He said it was the result of 15 years of work involving the board, staff and players.

“I do not feel that this achievement belongs to me alone; it is a shared achievement,” said Simeone. “I remember the moment when Miguel Angel Gil considered me, even though I had no experience in Europe apart from my time at Catania. Without that opportunity and that support, we would not have reached this stage, nor would those who accompanied me.”

He also paid tribute to his players, saying their commitment and willingness to follow his plans had helped establish his position at the club.

“All my thanks and appreciation go to the players,” he added. “Their commitment and the way they play according to the plan have strengthened my position. I thank them after every match because staying at one club for 15 years is not easy. I am grateful to everyone. Without all of them, I would not have reached this stage.”

Simeone admitted Atletico’s match against Levante began with considerable difficulty. He said Jan Oblak’s save from a dangerous effort helped the team identify weaknesses in the opposition before the game developed, with Morten’s disallowed goal and Grimaldo’s strike among the key incidents.

The manager was particularly pleased with Atletico’s second-half display, saying it reflected the work carried out in training. He also praised Baena’s vision and Giuliano’s movement, while insisting the team needed contributions from every member of the squad.

With the title race entering an important phase, Simeone said the campaign remained lengthy and that Atletico would continue to approach the competition one match at a time. He called for humility, continued improvement and the development of the right partnerships between players.

He believes the current Atletico side has greater ability than teams from previous seasons. The latest achievement came in the absence of Koke, he noted, demonstrating the value of collective work in allowing the team’s attacking players to express themselves.

Simeone said Atletico had been convinced Grimaldo would suit their style after seeing his desire to join during a conversation between the two. His attacking approach, the manager added, gives the team another way to break through opposing defences.

Grimaldo is also responsible for taking penalties, and Simeone said he hoped the player could maintain his current level despite the difficult challenges ahead.

Atletico Madrid are scheduled to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 03 November 2026. Their Copa del Rey fixture is against CD Tarancon on 05 November 2026, while Levante are also listed among their matches.