A failed season, concluded with disappointment at the Club World Cup, is now behind Atletico Madrid. And something had to change — fundamentally. The Madrid club has decided to part ways with several players who, in recent seasons, were among the team’s key figures. The contracts of Cesar Azpilicueta, Angel Correa, Axel Witsel, and Reinildo Mandava have expired. They will officially leave the club today, as no contract extensions were offered. Atletico’s plan is to rejuvenate the dressing room.Thank you for your commitment, your leadership, and for giving it your all for this shirt 🪖❤️🤍 The Atletico family is and always will be your family.Thank you very much and good luck in your next challenges, Azpi 🫶 pic.twitter.com/LX5MGXfEB3— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) June 30, 2025 Angel Correa is one of Atletico’s longest-serving players. He arrived 10 years ago from San Lorenzo for 10.5 million euros and has certainly repaid the club. In terms of appearances (469), he ranks fourth in Atletico’s history, behind Koke, Adelardo, and Oblak. Strikers came and went, but Correa outlasted many of them, although he will always be seen as Simeone’s loyal “joker,” who was also willing to do the dirty work. He scored 88 goals and recorded 65 assists during his decade in Madrid. His next club will be Mexican side Tigres, with whom he reached an agreement in recent days.CWC: Atletico bow from the World Cup with a winBelgian utility man Axel Witsel is also leaving Atletico. He joined in 2022 as an emergency solution after Atletico’s deal for Boubacar Kamara fell through. He came in as a defensive midfielder but leaves as a center-back, as that’s the position Simeone mostly used him in — thanks to his footballing intelligence, although his legs had become a bit slower. The 36-year-old has drawn the most interest from his former club Standard Liege and Polish side Pogon. Cesar Azpilicueta is not an Atletico legend, but rather a Chelsea one, from where he arrived the year before last when the English club began its squad rejuvenation process. He played just over 50 matches, but it was no longer at the level he showed with the Blues. It’s still unclear where he’ll continue his career, but it’s certain he won’t remain in the Premier League, as he promised never to wear the shirt of another English club out of respect for Chelsea. There is speculation that Inter or Juventus might offer him a deal.Raphinha cries out – players need time to rest!Reinildo Mandava arrived quietly two and a half years ago from Lille for only three million euros and played in various positions, earning an annual salary of under one million. He most often featured as a left-back, but also played as a center-back or left wing-back in more attacking setups. According to several reports, he is expected to continue his career at newly promoted Premier League club Sunderland. Among the players still under contract but frequently mentioned in transfer rumors is Rodrigo Riquelme. He is in advanced talks with Betis, who are expected to pay Atletico around 10 million euros for his services. It is estimated that the departure of the aforementioned players will reduce Atletico’s wage bill by around 20 million per year. However, it will soon increase again, as official confirmations are expected for the agreed transfers of Alex Baena from Villarreal, Johnny Cardoso from Betis, and Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta. The next major target for the Madrid club is Cristian Romero from Tottenham, for whom they are reportedly willing to pay over 50 million.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Monday22.00: (1.80) Inter (3.50) Fluminense (4.70)Tuesday04.00: (1.35) Manchester City (5.00) Al-Hilal (9.00)22.00: (1.67) Real Madrid (3.70) Juventus (5.50)Wednesday04.00: (1.80) Dortmund (3.60) Monterrey (4.60)***odds are subject to change***
