I am completely passionate about my football club back in Brazil. And when I say "passionate", I don't just mean I watch the matches.
If there's one thing I've truly missed since moving to Spain, it's being in the thick of the crowd for my team, singing, shouting, and roaring them on until the final whistle. For the three years I've lived here, I must admit I've avoided going to live matches. I'd always heard that Spanish supporters were more... reserved. That the height of their excitement was a polite round of applause, and that nobody even gets out of their seat for a goal.
And, to be honest, in many cases, that's true.
Brazilian style... If you're going to watch a match sitting down, you might as well be on your sofa at home, where it's more comfortable. When you're at the stadium, you're not just there to watch the game. You're there to get behind your team, to be the twelfth man, to scream that ball away from the goal line if you have to.
Two Atléticos, One Soul
I went with my fiancé, Jon, who is a loyal Atlético de Madrid fan. As it happens, my club back in Brazil is called Atlético Mineiro. And Jon showed me that our clubs have far more in common than just the "Atlético" in their names. Both have a spectacular talent for making us suffer until the final second, turning an easy win into a difficult struggle, and making the impossible a reality.
It's no surprise, then, that our core rallying cries are practically siblings:
"Eu acredito!"
Which translates to: "I believe!"
(From my Atlético Mineiro)
"Nunca dejes de creer!"
Which translates to: "Never stop believing!"
(From his Atlético de Madrid)
A long-suffering soul, a cardiac stress-test at every match, and an unwavering faith. We were perfectly in sync.
The Stadium and the Atmosphere
The Metropolitano is something else. It's modern, clean, incredibly well-organised, and easy to get to.
The Metro (Line 7, Estádio Metropolitano station) drops you right at the door and is definitely the best option. If you come by car, you'll either need to arrive extremely early or face hefty traffic, and you'll inevitably end up parking ages away.
Before the match, the entire area around the stadium turns into a huge party. There's a massive esplanade filled with bars, food trucks, and little shops, where the supporters gather to eat, drink, and sing. Ideally, you should arrive at least an hour and a half early to soak up this pre-match atmosphere, which for me, is one of the best parts of going to a match.
Behind the Goal (and Behind the Ultras)
The match was Atlético de Madrid vs Osasuna, and the Metropolitano was packed. There was a disallowed goal in the first half (just to keep the drama levels high) and, in the end, a victory: 1-0 to Atleti.
Our seats were in the stands behind the goal, very close to Atlético's organised supporter groups. And that's where the magic happened.
Unlike many supporter sections here, the Ultras didn't stop singing for a single minute. They have one person who faces the crowd for the entire match, leading the chants and songs. Flags waving, voices roaring in chorus, and that collective passion that just gives you goosebumps. Allowing for differences in scale (and style), it was the closest I've felt to being at one of my team's games (Galo's) since I arrived in Spain.
There was even a tense moment: when Atlético scored, I leapt up with joy and heard a gentleman behind me complain that he "couldn't see the play" because I stood up. But honestly, if I hadn't stood up, I wouldn't have seen it either! Football is emotion, you can't just watch it sitting down the whole time, can you?
A Welcome Surprise
I left the stadium with a smile on my face and a light heart. At least I wasn't a bad luck charm. And seeing the passion of the Atlético de Madrid fans up close reminded me why football is so universal. The language changes, the style of support changes, but the feeling is exactly the same.
Deep down, I realised that "my" Atlético and Jon's Atlético are made of the same stuff: drama, grit, faith, and unconditional love.
Useful Tips
Tickets
Prices can range from €30 to €100 (and upwards), depending on the opponent and where you sit. You can buy them on the official Atlético de Madrid website. And despite it being an expensive outing, believe me, tickets aren't always easy to get.
How to Get There
Metro line 7, Estádio Metropolitano station. There are also buses and parking areas, but the Metro is easily the most practical option.
Before the Match
Arrive early and enjoy the esplanade, which is full of bars, snack bars, and food trucks. The atmosphere is fantastic!
During the Match
Bring a scarf. Not just for the cold, but because everyone holds theirs up during the anthem. It's a great sight and lovely to be a part of.
At the End of the Day...
I still haven't been to a Real Madrid match, but I feel the Atlético de Madrid game did its job well and broke down some of the preconceptions I had about European football.
Watching an Atlético de Madrid match was more than just tourism, it was a reunion with the raw emotion that football brings. I left with a hoarse voice, a racing heart, and the feeling of having eased some of the homesickness I have for my Galo. Even if I was 8,000 kilometres away from their Arena.
Because, in the end, whether it's "I believe!" or "Never stop believing!", the feeling is the same: football is faith until the final whistle.
