Diego Godin Equals Atlético Appearance Record as Club Records First Win in a Month

Diego Godín says he is ‘proud’ to cement himself in Atlético Madrid history by equalling the record for most appearances by a non-Spaniard for Los Rojiblacos.

Diego Godín says he is ‘proud’ to cement himself in Atlético Madrid history by equalling the record for most appearances by a non-Spaniard for Los Rojiblacos.

The Uruguayan international played the full 90 minutes in Sundays 1-0 win away to Celta Vigo, making his 314th appearance for the club in all competitions and equalling his former teammate and ex-Colombia international, Luis Perea.

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“It is an enormous joy for me. To write a page in the history of the club is something very important to me,” Godín told Marca.

“I will be remembered for these numbers but what I want is to be remembered for what I have done for the club on and off the field.”

Godín, who has spent seven years at the club since joining from Villarreal in 2010, managed to equal Perea’s record a year earlier than his former teammate, with Perea’s eight year stint at Atlético between 2004 and 2012.

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Whilst Godín’s achievement was the main talking point of the day, Atlético’s win on Sunday was their first win in a month. Atlético Manager, Diego Simeone, told ESPN it was an ‘important’ win and that ‘it had been a long time coming’.

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The red half of Madrid has been lacking a prolific goalscorer so far, this season, with their top scorers this season only managing three goals each after nine games played.

With Diego Costa returning from Chelsea in January, Diego Simeone will want to shift his side back to a predatory scoring machine, such as their reputation for breeding some of the best strikers in the world shows.