The unveiling took place before the match against Manchester United.
Atlético Madrid inaugurated its new Walk of Fame outside the Metropolitano Stadium. Players who previously did not meet the club's criteria for receiving a commemorative plaque have finally earned their place in the history of Los Rojiblancos.
The victory over Manchester United made it a memorable day for Atlético Madrid. The team secured its first win of this Champions League campaign and maintained its unbeaten record across all competitions following the defeat against Liverpool on the opening matchday of the European competition. The evening was already shaping up to be special before kickoff, thanks to the unveiling of the new Walk of Fame outside the Metropolitano Stadium.
The area outside Atlético Madrid's stadium features plaques bearing the names of the club's greatest legends. It has been one of the most controversial topics among supporters because of the criteria used to determine which players deserved to be honored.
Until the game against Manchester United, the criteria for inclusion in Atlético Madrid's Walk of Fame were relatively straightforward. Players had to reach a minimum number of appearances to earn a plaque outside the Metropolitano. This requirement ruled out many footballers who had made fewer than 100 appearances but had played a decisive role in the club's history.
Atlético Madrid held extensive discussions and changed the system. Players were selected through an overall assessment conducted by the club, allowing figures such as Radamel Falcao García to be included. The Colombian is one of the clearest examples of why the policy has changed. He played fewer than 100 matches for Atlético but won a total of three trophies. Many consider him the club's best striker of the century.
Alongside the Colombian, the honorees include Alfonso Aparicio, Adrián Escudero, Larbi Ben Barek, Enrique Collar, Adelardo Rodríguez, Luis Aragonés, José Eulogio Gárate, Juan Carlos Arteche, Kiko Narváez, Paulo Futre, Diego Simeone, Milinko Pantić, Fernando Torres, Gabi Fernández, Diego Forlán, Diego Godín, Radamel Falcao, and Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman was included directly by the club because he is its all-time leading goalscorer.
Previously, Atlético Madrid's Walk of Fame consisted simply of plaques displaying the players' names. Now, those names have been incorporated into golden stars positioned toward the stands of the Metropolitano Stadium. This brings an end to one of the most heated debates among Atlético supporters. Figures such as Falcao have now been permanently commemorated outside the home of Los Rojiblancos.
