Saul recalls his time at the Real Madrid academy

CAIRO – 17 November 2017 : Atletico Madrid midfielder, Saul Niguez, spent two years in Real Madrid academy when he was 11 before finding his way to their local rivals, Atletico Madrid.

“I experienced a series of bad things, but I believe any 11-year-old could have that happen to them,” Saul told Movistar Plus on Thursday.

Born in Elche, Saul left Real Madrid when he was 13 and spent four years at the club’s academy before joining the first team in 2012. Throughout his senior career, he played with Atletico except for one year where he was on loan to Rayo Vallecano in 2014.

Saul added, “my time at Real Madrid was good for me because it made me mature, grow and realize many things. Thanks to that, I'm here now."

Saul revealed that Atletico manager, Diego Simeone, played a major role on him staying in the club. He said, “after a year at Rayo, I knew I was coming back, but the next year I was going to join Valencia on a loan and it was all agreed. Just before, Simeone had seen that I had changed and said that he wanted me to stay.”

Saul is expected to be on Atletico Madrid’s starting line-up on Saturday when they face Real Madrid at Atletico’s new venue, Wanda Metropolitano.