Atlético de Madrid keeps facing a stubborn problem: injuries that cast a long shadow
The problem is beginning to repeat itself in a discouraging pattern. The great enemy of Atlético de Madrid in recent seasons is clear: injuries that strike with alarming regularity. If Atleti and their injury woes were a book, it would probably carry a title inspired by a famous author, suggesting a saga that never seems to finish. In the case of the current injury cycle, the issue has moved beyond anecdote and into a dangerous trend. The peak came in 2022, when coach Diego Pablo Simeone endured what looked like a full-blown epidemic of injuries extending through two months of competition, reaching twenty separate cases. After the latest match against Elche, the squad again faced another blow with Thomas Lemar picking up a muscle injury that could sideline him for the remainder of the season. Lemar’s run of misfortune has been relentless since his arrival, with nineteen muscle injuries, three knee injuries, and one ankle issue to his name. He has missed up to 46 games while wearing the Atléti shirt, a figure that suggests a hidden burden on the team’s depth. Yet other troubling cases heighten the concern for the coaching staff and club management.
Giménez and Savic, a persistent absences string amid injuries and disciplinary issues
Jose María Giménez and Stefan Savic stand out as the most significant cases. Disciplinary events aside, both have spent lengthy stretches on the sidelines. Since Giménez joined the club, he has missed 97 games for the rojiblancos, with 8 of those in the 2022-23 season, while Savic has sat out 65 games in total, including 13 appearances this season. Both players are essential for the team when healthy, and their frequent injuries have created gaps that the staff have struggled to fill. The health of these two stalwarts remains a central worry, because too many matches are being lost to injuries and penalties.
The cases of Llorente, Joao, Memphis and Reguilón
Other names drawing attention include Marcos Llorente, who has missed 17 games since joining Atleti and is already seven games behind this season. Memphis Depay has shown a history of injuries that began earlier in his career at Barcelona and has faced another injury spell since joining Atlético in January, missing up to four games due to a limp and assorted discomforts. Reguilón, who arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur while dealing with groin pain and additional thigh issues, has also missed up to 17 games this season. Joao Félix, now on loan at Chelsea, suffered injuries on 12 occasions in just over three and a half years, averaging roughly one absence every 11 games. His burden has weighed heavily on the squad. Reinildo also had a serious long-term injury, tearing a cruciate ligament, and the club remains hopeful that he can return to his previous level after rehabilitation.
Vitolo and a recurring injury narrative
Vitolo is frequently cited as the player most affected by injuries in the squad. He remains under contract with Atlético de Madrid through 2024 and recently finished a stint with Las Palmas, with an eight-month layoff following knee surgery. Since arriving at Atlético, he has endured multiple injuries and accumulated a substantial number of missed games both with Getafe and with Las Palmas, contributing to the broader pattern of injury troubles the club has faced.
From the Walk of Legends to the Walk of Injuries
There is a palpable concern within Atlético de Madrid about the injury cascade gripping the team. The medical staff, training team, and rehabilitation specialists remain optimistic that things will stabilize, but the visible impact is undeniable. Is this bad luck, or something more systemic like conditioning or load management? The club avoids pointing fingers, yet the reality is clear: injuries are dominating conversations and influencing results. The debate is not whether there is a problem, but how quickly it can be addressed before summer closes in on crucial decisions. A popular assessment among observers notes that several players have spent more time on crutches than on the pitch, and the sentiment echoes a cautionary tale: the never-ending story of the infirmary must be redirected toward a more stable path. In the broader view, the team must confront these specific medical challenges with urgency and precision to protect the season’s ambitions.