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“CR7 not welcome”: Atlético fans voice opposition to Cristiano Ronaldo move

During a preseason friendly with Numancia on Wednesday, Atlético Madrid supporters pleaded with the club not to sign the former Real Madrid star.

Cadena SER

Atlético Madrid fans urged the club not to sign Cristiano Ronaldo as Los Rojiblancos began their pre-season fixtures with a friendly victory at third-tier Spanish club Numancia on Wednesday.

You’re “not welcome” at Atlético, supporters tell Cristiano

During the game at Numancia’s Estadio El Burgo de Osma, which saw Atlético win 4-0, visiting supporters unfurled a large banner that read, in English, “CR7 not welcome”.

Cristiano, who spent nine seasons at Atleti’s city rivals Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018, is being heavily linked with a switch to the Wanda Metropolitano, as the Portugal forward bids to leave Manchester United and join a team that has qualified for the coming season’s Champions League.

Atleti chief Cerezo: “I don’t know who came up with that story”

On Tuesday, however, Atlético president Enrique Cerezo sought to distance the club from a move for the 37-year-old. “I don’t know who came up with that story,” Cerezo said. “Rumours are rumours and they should stay where they are, because if they continue to grow, it seems like they’re real, and they’re not”.

Atleti fans also plead with Simeone over Cristiano

During the win over Numancia, Atlético fans also directed a chant at head coach Diego Simeone, who is thought to be in favour of signing Cristiano: “Simeone, Simeone, escuchad a la afición, si fichamos a Cristiano, vais todos al paredón.” (“Simeone, Simeone, listen to the fans, if we sign Cristiano, you should all be shot.”)

Thomas Lemar, Ángel Correa, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Matheus Cunha were the goalscorers for Atlético, whose next game is a friendly against Cristiano’s United in Oslo on Saturday.

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