Over the years, soccer teams have been modifying their shields, making some tweaks to adapt it and make it look updated to the new times. Atlético de Madrid has not been the exception and in 2016 the club’s board of directors modified the shield with minimal details.
However, this intervention on the symbol of the Colchonero team did not please a majority of rojiblancos fans and during the last 7 years they have campaigned strongly for the board to return to the old shield.
So much was the echo of the requests that Atlético de Madrid recently opened a vote among its more than 130,000 members to ask them if they want to continue with the current shield or if, on the contrary, they want to return to the old one.
“The meeting of the Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to carry out a binding vote in order to choose between the current shield and the previous one. All members of the club who were registered before 10:00 a.m. on June 28, 2023 will be able to participate in the vote and will end this Friday, June 30,” reads the club’s statement.
Since its foundation in 1903, Atlético de Madrid has had 9 shield modifications. Before 2016 when they changed to the current one, there were no changes in more than 40 years, since the shield that fans ask to return dates from 1970.
divided opinions
Since the change of the Madrid team’s shield was made, opinions have been divided within the squad and even emblematic figures of the club gave their opinion. Koke, current team captain, expressed his wish that the previous emblem return.
Also players like José María Giménez, Antoine Griezmann, or the former player Fernando Torres; They shared images on their social networks with the old Atlético jacket and shield with the text “I hope you come back”, as they support the cause of returning to the previous design.
On the other hand, coach Diego Simeone, who also played in the team for 6 seasons where he even became team captain. Now as a coach he gave his opinion on the design change on the shield. “Evolution exists and is continuous. It is normal that there are people who have not liked the changes. Many times we are reluctant to them”, commented Simeone in 2016 when the change was made
On the other hand, Gabi Fernández, who at that time was the team captain, was also in favor of the change. “It maintains the shape, it is important, it maintains the colors, red and white are our life, the bear and the strawberry tree. It evolves a little in the way of seeing things, but continues to maintain everything necessary to identify with it”, highlighted Gabi.
However, due to the great controversy, the same player rectified his opinion on the matter. “When you change so many things to people (there had also been a change of stadium), in the end they do not identify. You always have to listen to the fan, respect him and, above all, help him. Together we can reach an understanding to be happy, ”he commented.
For now, the 134,289 members of the Colchonero club must choose whether to continue with the current shield, which has only a few small modifications and is more adapted to the new times, or return to the old emblem that is already a little over 50 years old.
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