An apology to Matteo Ruggeri, who continues to impress for Atlético
It’s time to admit I was wrong.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 8:Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico de Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on April 8, 2026 in Barcelona Spain. (Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images Dear Matteo, I need to write this before I talk myself out of it. I judged you.
Fairly early, with considerable conviction, and — as I am now forced to accept — without anything close to the evidence required to justify that conviction. I wrote you off. I told people.
Some even nodded along, which made me feel even more confident about being completely wrong. Let me explain the charges I laid against you, so you understand the full scope of what I’m walking back. I had concerns when you arrived at Atlético Madrid last summer for around €20 million.
They felt reasonable at the time. You had made your debut for Atalanta against Liverpool in the Champions League in November 2020, a match Atalanta lost 5-0, which is the kind of debut story you share at a dinner party when you want people to feel better about their own worst days. The Europa League winner’s medal from 2024 was real and impressive.
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