Atlético Madrid 2026-27 Squad comes after five years without silverware. A fanbase growing impatient. And Diego Simeone, still at the helm after 15 extraordinary years, determined to prove that the Colchoneros can rise again. Atlético Madrid enter the 2026-27 La Liga season with renewed ambition — and a transfer window that has delivered two high-profile signings in Alejandro Grimaldo and Morten Hjulmand, alongside the crucial retention of World Cup winners Julián Álvarez despite intense interest from Barcelona.
Atlético Madrid have now gone five years without winning silverware — their longest drought under Diego Simeone — and have spent €418.95 million across the previous two transfer windows in an attempt to revamp their squad.
2026-27 must be different. Simeone’s job may depend on it. And the squad he has built — combining established stars with exciting new arrivals — gives Atlético every reason to believe this could be their season.
Atlético Madrid’s Final 25-Man Squad for 2026-27 Season
The Atlético Madrid 2026-27 squad list features a heavily revamped project managed by Diego Simeone. Based on confirmed squad data from LaLiga official,
- Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (#1), Jan Oblak (#13), Salvi Esquivel (#31)
- Defenders: José María Giménez (#2), Matteo Ruggeri (#3), Clément Lenglet (#15), Nahuel Molina (#16), Dávid Hancko (#17), Marc Pubill (#18), Robin Le Normand (#24), Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo
- Midfielders: Rodrigo Mendoza (#4), Johnny Cardoso (#5), Koke (#6), Lee Kang-in (#7), Pablo Barrios (#8), Álex Baena (#10), Marcos Llorente (#14), Obed Vargas (#21), Morten Hjulmand (#23), Thomas Lemar (#11)
- Forwards: Alexander Sørloth (#9), Thiago Almada (#11), Carlos Martín (#12), Julián Alvarez (#19), Giuliano Simeone (#20), Ademola Lookman (#22)
⚠️ Full official Atlético Madrid 2026-27 Squad numbers will be confirmed before the La Liga registration deadline. Update when final released by the club.
Atlético Madrid’s Confirmed New Signings — Summer 2026
Under the Manager Diego Simeone continues to lead the project, incorporating major international stars into his tactical setup.
- The Goal: Heavy structural investment to replace old core players and assemble a squad capable of competing at the highest European level.
Alejandro Grimaldo — LB | Bayer Leverkusen | Free Transfer ⭐
Alejandro Grimaldo has been announced as a new Atlético Madrid signing for 2026-27. The Spanish World Cup winner and left-back returns to his home country after two outstanding seasons at Bayer Leverkusen — where he won the Bundesliga title and established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in European football. His crossing ability, free-kick delivery, and relentless energy going forward give Simeone a genuine weapon on the left side. Arriving on a free transfer, this is outstanding business.
Morten Hjulmand — CM | Sporting CP | €45M ⭐
Morten Hjulmand arrives at the Metropolitano from Sporting CP for a transfer fee of €45m. The Danish defensive midfielder is one of the most complete holding players in European football — combining aggressive pressing, exceptional reading of the game, and a composure on the ball that belies his combative style. He fills the creative void in Simeone’s midfield and gives Atlético a genuine engine room alongside Pablo Barrios.
Cristian “Cuti” Romero – Defender | Tottenham Hotspur | €40M ⭐
Joined from Tottenham Hotspur for €40 million. The Argentine World Cup winner signed a long-term contract running until June 2031.
Lee Kang-in – Midfielder | from PSG | €40M ⭐
The versatile South Korean playmaker signed a deal until June 30, 2031, arriving as a direct successor to Antoine Griezmann.
Also Confirmed in the Squad (from 2025-26 signings now fully integrated):
Álex Baena (Spain, World Cup winner), Marc Pubill (Spain, Olympic champion), Thiago Almada (Argentina, World Cup winner), Johnny Cardoso (USA international), Matteo Ruggeri (Italy, Europa League winner with Atalanta), and Dávid Hancko (Slovakia) — all joined last season and are now fully part of the 2026-27 squad.
Confirmed New Signings
Atlético Madrid officially secured four high-profile additions to radically upgrade their backbone:
| Player | Position | Former Club | Reported Fee | Contract Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristian Romero | Centre-Back | Tottenham Hotspur | €40M | June 2031 |
| Morten Hjulmand | Midfielder | Sporting CP | €45M | June 2031 |
| Lee Kang-in | Attacking Midfield | Paris Saint-Germain | €40M | June 2031 |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | Left-Back | Bayer Leverkusen | Undisclosed | June 2030 |
⚠️ Still to Arrive List
Following these major moves, the recruitment team is managing a final short-list:
- A Forward Option: Scouting a dynamic attacker to complete the frontline rotation.
- A Backup Right-Back: Seeking extra coverage along the right flank to match Grimaldo’s presence on the left.
Confirmed Player Departures (Summer 2026)
- Antoine Griezmann: The club’s all-time top scorer has officially left Spain, joining MLS side Orlando City SC on a free transfer with a marquee Designated Player deal.
- Thiago Almada: The Argentine midfielder was officially sold permanently to South American giants River Plate.
- Julio Díaz: The 21-year-old left-back completed a permanent transfer to fellow La Liga club Sevilla FC.
Current Active Transfer Crisis
- Julián Álvarez: The star forward is currently pushing heavily for an exit from Madrid amid intense concrete interest from FC Barcelona. Club executives are actively managing negotiations while trying to block the move.
The Julián Álvarez Saga: Atlético Hold Their Star
The biggest story of Atlético Madrid’s summer is not a signing — it is a player they kept.
Speculation regarding a move to Camp Nou gathered pace, with reports suggesting Barcelona identified Julián Álvarez as the ideal successor to Robert Lewandowski. Despite the noise, Álvarez has returned to form at the Metropolitano, playing a vital role in Simeone’s tactical setup. So far this season, he scored 13 goals and six assists in 35 games across all competitions.
Barcelona’s interest was real. Atlético slapped a €200m valuation on the 26-year-old to discourage any official approaches from domestic or European rivals. With Álvarez’s contract running until 2030, the capital club views him as the cornerstone of their sporting project.
Simeone, characteristically direct: “I’m not inside his head. I only see how he has played the last two matches, that he is returning to the level he always was and we need him in this way.”
Álvarez stays. And for Atlético, keeping their Argentine World Cup winner is as important as any signing they could have made.
Key Players to Watch in Atlético Madrid 2026-27 Squad
Jan Oblak — No. 13 | The Last Line
Jan Oblak is, quite simply, one of the three best goalkeepers in the world — and has been for the past decade. The Slovenian shot-stopper has won the Zamora Trophy (awarded to La Liga’s best goalkeeper) a record six times, and his shot-stopping ability, command of his area, and leadership from the back remain elite at 33. Oblak is confirmed in the 2026-27 squad as Atlético’s undisputed number one. He is the bedrock on which Simeone builds every defensive game plan.
Julián Álvarez — No. 19 | The Argentine World Cup Winner
The man who scored in the 2022 World Cup final, won the Copa América, and then won the 2026 World Cup is now the most important player in Atlético Madrid’s attack. Álvarez scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 35 appearances last season — and is now fully recovered from the form dip that briefly threatened his future at the club. At 26, he enters 2026-27 as one of the most complete centre-forwards in European football: technical, physical, intelligent in his movement, and capable of the decisive moment in the biggest games.
Álex Baena — No. 10 | Spain’s World Cup Hero
One of the standout performers in Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph, Álex Baena arrives into the new season as a genuine superstar. The Spanish winger joined Atlético last season as an Olympic champion and now returns with a World Cup medal too. His ability to dribble past defenders, deliver incisive passes, and score from outside the box makes him one of the most technically exciting players in La Liga. Wearing the No. 10 shirt is a statement — and Baena has the talent to justify it.
Koke — No. 6 | The Club Legend and Captain
Koke has been at Atlético Madrid for his entire professional career — one of the last one-club men in elite European football. The Spanish midfielder is club captain, the embodiment of Atlético’s identity, and still a reliable performer at 34. His reading of the game, technical consistency, and leadership in the dressing room make him irreplaceable even as younger midfielders push for starting positions. This will likely be his final season as a regular starter — and he will give everything until the last minute.
Alejandro Grimaldo — LB | The World Cup Winner Returns Home
The signing of the summer. Grimaldo spent two years at Bayer Leverkusen winning trophies and establishing himself as arguably the best left-back in the world. Now back in Spain — the country where he won the World Cup — he gives Simeone an attacking dimension from left-back that Atlético have not had for years. His crossing delivery, set-piece quality, and overlapping runs will be central to how Atlético create chances in 2026-27. At 30 and arriving on a free transfer, this is elite recruitment.
Morten Hjulmand — DM | The Danish Enforcer
The €45m signing from Sporting CP immediately fills Atlético’s most pressing midfield need. Hjulmand gives Simeone a genuine defensive anchor alongside Pablo Barrios — a player who wins duels, reads danger early, and gives the creative players around him the freedom to express themselves. His aggression and intelligence in the press is perfectly suited to Simeone’s demanding defensive system.
Pablo Barrios — No. 8 | The Homegrown Gem
At just 21, Pablo Barrios is one of the most promising young midfielders in La Liga. The Atlético academy product has broken into the first team fully over the past two seasons and now partners Hjulmand in what could be one of the most exciting midfield pairings in Spanish football. His energy, technical quality, and maturity beyond his years make him a future captain of this club.
Ademola Lookman — No. 22 | The Atalanta Hero
The Europa League final match-winner for Atalanta in 2024 — Lookman’s hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen remains one of the greatest individual European final performances of the modern era. The Nigerian winger brings direct pace, creativity, and the composure of a player who has already delivered in the biggest moments. His ability to cut inside from the right and shoot on his left foot gives Atlético a completely different attacking option to Baena and Giuliano Simeone.
Giuliano Simeone — No. 20 | The Coach’s Son
At 22, Giuliano Simeone is emerging from his father’s shadow and into genuine starting consideration. The Argentine forward — who won the World Cup with La Albiceleste — brings pace, directness, and an intensity that reflects everything his father values. His ability to play across the front line gives Simeone Senior tactical flexibility that is hard to replicate.
Atlético Madrid’s Starting XI — Diego Simeone’s First Choice
Based on the confirmed squad, 2025-26 form, and Simeone’s established tactical preferences:
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (No. 13)
- Defenders: Marc Pubill | Dávid Hancko | José Giménez | Alejandro Grimaldo 🆕
- Midfielders: Morten Hjulmand 🆕 | Pablo Barrios (No. 8)
- Forwards: Álex Baena (No. 10) | Koke (No. 6) | Ademola Lookman (No. 22) | Julián Álvarez (No. 19)
Formation: 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1 (Simeone rotates based on the opponent — more conservative 4-4-2 in away games, more attacking 4-2-3-1 at the Metropolitano)
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
- Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, José María Giménez, Alejandro Grimaldo
- Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Álex Baena
- Forwards: Julián Alvarez, Alexander Sørloth
- Bench depth: Alexander Sørloth, Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada, Robin Le Normand, Marcos Llorente, Juan Musso
The spine of the team is set — Oblak in goal, Giménez and Hancko at centre-back, Hjulmand and Barrios in midfield, Álvarez up front. Grimaldo and Pubill provide the width from full-back. Baena and Lookman are the creative threats on either side.
Atlético Madrid 2026-27 Season Fixtures — Key Dates
Atlético Madrid’s 2026–27 competitive campaign begins on August 19, 2026, when they host Málaga CF at the newly renamed Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.
Similar to their cross-town rivals, Atlético’s early schedule faces modifications due to the 2026 World Cup aftermath. While LaLiga technically kicks off on August 15, Atlético’s marquee Matchday 2 fixture against Villarreal CF on August 23 serves as a focal point of their opening week television broadcast.
Key LaLiga Fixtures
The Spanish football schedule remains asymmetrical. Exact weekend slots are subject to television network adjustments closer to the match weeks.
The Madrid Derbies (vs. Real Madrid)
- September 20, 2026: Home at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano
- April 4, 2027: Away at the Santiago Bernabéu
Clashes with FC Barcelona
- November 8, 2026: Home at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano
- February 7, 2027: Away at Spotify Camp Nou
Season Finale
- May 29/30, 2027: Matchday 38 vs. Real Betis (Away at Estadio de La Cartuja)
🏆 European Spotlight
- UEFA Champions League Final at Home: The revised league phase runs from September 2026 through January 2027. This tournament holds monumental significance for Diego Simeone’s squad, as the Estadio Metropolitano is scheduled to host the Champions League Final on Saturday, June 5, 2027.
Opening Month Fixtures (August 2026)
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Venue | Kickoff Time (CEST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 14 | Preseason Friendly | Away (Marseille) | 9:30 PM | |
| Aug 19 | LaLiga (Matchday 1) | Home (Metropolitano) | 9:00 PM | |
| Aug 23 | LaLiga (Matchday 2) | Home (Metropolitano) | 5:00 PM | |
| Aug 29 | LaLiga (Matchday 3) | Away (Sánchez-Pizjuán) | 9:30 PM |
Atlético Madrid La Liga History — Spain’s Third Most Successful Club
Throughout their 122-year history, Atlético Madrid proudly boast 11 La Liga titles — making them the third most successful club in Spanish football history behind Real Madrid (36) and Barcelona (29).
Here are the defining chapters of their La Liga story:
- Early Dominance (1940s-50s): Atlético won back-to-back La Liga titles in 1949-50 and 1950-51 — establishing themselves as genuine contenders in Spanish football’s formative decades.
- The Aragonés Era (1966-77): Under legendary coach Luis Aragonés, Atlético won three La Liga titles — in 1965-66, 1969-70, and 1972-73 — and established the fierce intensity that would define the club’s identity for generations.
- The 1996 Double: The 1995-96 season stands out for a historic league and cup double — the club’s only such domestic achievement, winning both La Liga and the Copa del Rey in the same season.
- The Simeone Era (2013-present): Diego Simeone transformed Atlético into genuine La Liga contenders — ending Barcelona and Real Madrid’s decade-long stranglehold on the title. Their 2013-14 triumph — clinched with a draw at Barcelona on the final day — was one of the greatest La Liga achievements in history, ending a 10-year dominance by the two giants. They won again in 2020-21 in equally dramatic fashion.
- La Liga Title Years: 1939-40, 1940-41, 1949-50, 1950-51, 1965-66, 1969-70, 1972-73, 1976-77, 1995-96, 2013-14, 2020-21
Other Major Honours (from official atleticodemadrid.com):
- Copa del Rey: 10 times
- UEFA Europa League: 3 times (2010, 2012, 2018)
- UEFA Super Cup: 3 times (2010, 2012, 2018)
- European Cup Winners’ Cup: 1 time (1962)
- Intercontinental Cup: 1 time (1974)
Can Atlético Madrid Win La Liga and End the Five-Year Trophy Drought?
The two words looming over the Metropolitano this season are “trophy drought.”
Atlético Madrid have gone five years without silverware — their longest drought under Diego Simeone. For a club that has spent nearly €420m on players over the past two windows, that record is simply not acceptable. This is the season where results must match investment.
La Liga
Real Madrid under Mourinho and Barcelona under Flick will provide the fiercest domestic rivalry in years. But Atlético have the squad to compete. With Oblak in goal, a World Cup-winning centre-back pairing of Giménez and Le Normand, Hjulmand and Barrios controlling midfield, and Álvarez and Baena providing the attacking spark — Simeone has the pieces to build a title challenge. The question is whether he can keep the squad consistent across a 38-game season after years of dramatic late-season collapses.
Europa League
Atlético have won the Europa League three times — and it remains the competition where their defensive counter-attacking style is most effective. If La Liga proves too competitive against Madrid and Barcelona’s exceptional squads, European glory in the Europa League is a realistic secondary objective that would end the trophy drought and reignite the club’s ambitions.
Champions League
A realistic run to the quarter-finals or semi-finals is achievable. Atlético’s defensive organisation under Simeone historically makes them the hardest team to eliminate over two legs. Their record against elite opposition in knockout football — beating Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich in previous campaigns — shows they can compete with anyone.
Simeone has been here before. Won La Liga when nobody expected it. Reached two Champions League finals. Built Atlético from mid-table also-rans into one of Europe’s most feared clubs.
2026-27 is the season he must do it again. The squad is ready. The pressure is real. The Metropolitano demands success. Aupa Atleti.
