Thursday, 30th October, 2014
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has stressed that players were rewarded on reputation and not on their performances last season at Spanish football’s awards night earlier this week.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos all picked up individual awards for their performances last season despite the club finishing third in the league table behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
And none of the Atletico Madrid players from their championship winning team received individual awards.
Simeone did receive the best coach award for his work with the club, but he was outraged at the way his players were overlooked.
He has refused to criticise the winners as he feels that it was not their fault, but said players were chosen on reputation and not for their performances last season.
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"I think that saying anything will generate controversy with the boys that won, and if these votes have taken place, they won on merit”, the Argentine was quoted as saying by AS.
“We always choose names instead of abilities, and Atletico was the best side, at least in the league. But we do not feel belittled by the situation.
“You can't criticise a colleague for winning an award, but the system is what dictates the names we consume every day, but that doesn't reflect reality and our players were the best."
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