The Argentine believes his cross-city rivals will be damaged by the sale of the Portuguese and is not happy with Antoine Griezmann's award snubs
Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid are closer to rivals Real Madrid following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo and is baffled as to why Antoine Griezmann has been overlooked in the Best FIFA awards.
Madrid won the Champions League for a third straight year in 2017-18 with Ronaldo once again the driving force in that triumph with 15 goals in the tournament.
But the Portugal captain left La Liga in a sensational €100m (£88m/$117m) switch to Juventus in July following nine trophy and goal-laden seasons at Santiago Bernabeu.
And Simeone believes his team, who finished above Madrid in La Liga last term and defeated Los Blancos in August's UEFA Super Cup, are now on a more level playing field with their city rivals.
"From the results we aren't worse than Madrid or Barca, from the individual characteristics of our players, yes," he said in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE.
"Without Cristiano we have approached Real Madrid's level, for sure."
Simeone was also quizzed on Griezmann, who over the past four months has become a World Cup winner with France and helped Atleti to Europa League and Super Cup glory.
However, Griezmann did not make the shortlist for the Best FIFA Men's Player, with Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah battling it out - a decision the player himself labelled "bizarre".
And Simeone was disappointed to see his star man's achievements overlooked.
"He hasn't had an explanation - World Cup winner, Super Cup, Europa League, second in La Liga, best player in the [World Cup] final," he added.
"In this past year, he was the best in the world. It is a pity. We do not underestimate ourselves to think that it is because he plays for Atletico, it will be a lack of imagination of people who choose.
"Obviously it disappoints a little. But it's clear that Griezmann was the best last season."
Sterzil
87
hamza_chounaki
42
this is something funny, simeone should know that firstly Ronaldo isn't the first legend they have lost and he won't be the last... and in terms of trophies experience Achievements atletico are no where being comparable to the likes of Madrid not even in the league that's the truth and he should not take them. for granted Madrid never depended only on Ronaldo they worked as a team that's why they were able to win and now They have done well this season and I hope they will continue this way so that they prove haters wrong
Shagun
42
If someone claims to be a Real Madrid fan, and still criticize Ronaldo, then he/she is Real Idiot. He is the greatest the game has seen and is seeing.. Greatest Real Madrid has seen. .much bigger than all Raul, Beckham etc. combined.
Caubdikmot
25
Simone knowns the quality of Ronaldo real Madrid fans Will know who's Ronaldo the end of the season the starting of the season Is nothing ath Madrid Will beat Real Madrid home and away really who didn't believe it we Stake money against real Madrid vs ath Madrid any price Ronaldo Is the Best in the world bale Benzema and Asensio ## Not like CR7 Ronaldo any minute he can Score a goal
ronnie_0112
15
He's rght because if cr7 was in that squad of super cup for madrid, Madrid would have won the cup..
Madrid lost because it of bad defence and not attack.. Attack was spot on and madrid was in fact leading the game until during the end few minutes athletico came back and forced into extra time and scored a few... So real is doing fine without Cristiano, I would say their game play has been better than past season and they are actually looking better off without Cristiano