Diego Godin: I rejected many offers to stay with Atletico Madrid
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Updated 15/08/2018 at 11:41 GMT
New Atletico Madrid captain Diego Godin has revealed that he rejected many offers in order to stay with the club.
Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego Godin greets supporters during celebrations for their Europa League victory at the Fountain of Neptune in Madrid on May 18, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Godin, 32, was reportedly a late transfer target for Manchester United in the recent window before it was suggested that he had rejected them and had signed a new contract in Madrid.
However Godin, speaking ahead of the UEFA Supercup, said that those were reports were false although the centre-back did admit that he had rejected a number of offers.
"I am happy and proud, and above all, I feel a lot of responsibility wearing the armband of this team, with team-mates I've been working together with for so long, and the coaches too," Godin said at a news conference at the Lillekulla Stadium.
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Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin lifts the trophy as he celebrates winning the Europa League
Image credit: Reuters
"I've not renewed my contract.
"I've rejected many offers to stay here, for personal reasons, but I have not renewed."
The Uruguay international has taken over the captaincy at Atleti following Gabi’s departure to Al Sadd SC in Qatar.
Godin was also linked with a move to Juventus.
Atletico have spent big in this window, laying out over €100 million in order to bring Thomas Lemar, Rodri, Nikola Kalinic, Santiago Arias and Jonny to the club.
This business, plus the decision of Antoine Griezmann to stay at the club, has seen some label Atletico as possible La Liga or Champions League winners.
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Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid plays with the ball during a training session ahead of the UEFA Super Cup match against Real Madrid CF at Lillekuela Stadium on August 14, 2018 in Tallinn, Estonia.
Image credit: Getty Images
"It is clear that the Champions League is the great dream of everyone at this club," Godin said.
"This season we aim to keep improving, like we do every year. We are preparing well, with new team-mates who will improve the team and make us stronger. We are very optimistic, very excited, for sure."
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