José María Giménez: 'Simeone gave me life'

In an extract from his interview with Marca, the Uruguayan, now at Deportivo, explains how he understood the message Simeone gave him, why he left with two years left on his contract and what he owes the Atlético coach.

Rubén Uría presents an excerpt from the interview José María Giménez, now at Deportivo de La Coruña, gave to Marca, in which he talks about his departure from Atlético de Madrid and his last conversation with Simeone.

The Uruguayan recalls that he still had two years left on his contract and that he had already had two chances to leave, when he chose to stay, convinced he was doing the right thing. This time he understood the message the coach was giving him and what the club needed, and he made a decision.

He admits he could have stayed on and kept competing, in his comfort zone, collecting his salary, but he wanted to help Atlético because Atlético had helped him so much. On Simeone he is emphatic: 'El Cholo', as the coach is known, gave him life; he grew and learnt alongside him, and he tried to repay him with hard work, effort and sacrifice.

Uría highlights how intense and profound the interview is.