Five players who played for Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain meet in the FIFA Club World Cup this evening.

It’s one of the biggest games of the group stage, in FIFA’s expanded 32-team tournament. PSG enter the competition as favourites after a stunning run to Champions League success, but Atletico often thrive amid underdog status.

Ahead of their clash in Pasadena, we’ve remembered five players who played for both clubs.

Five players who played for Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain

Thiago Motta

Thiago Motta’s time in Spanish football was blighted by injuries, with the midfielder persistently plagued with issues during spells at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He joined Atletico in 2007 but was released after just one injury-hit season and eight appearances.

A move to Genoa reignited his fortunes before Motta won a treble with Inter Milan in 2009/10. The Brazil-born Italy international signed for PSG in 2011, joining in the early stages of the club’s ambitious project. He produced the most consistent football of his career in Paris, making 232 appearances across seven seasons and winning five Ligue 1 titles.

Cristian Rodriguez

Cristian Rodriguez first moved to Europe with Paris Saint-Germain, arriving from Penarol on a free transfer in 2005. After sporadic appearances in his debut campaign, he played an important role as PSG narrowly avoided relegation from Ligue 1 in 2006/07.

Rodriguez had spells with Benfica and Porto before joining Atletico Madrid on a free transfer in 2012. However, the 110-cap Uruguay international failed to make the desired impact. He scored just five times in 98 appearances for the Spanish side.

Mateja Kezman

Mateja Kezman’s nomadic career took in stops at Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, as the Serbian striker sought to recapture his form after a difficult spell at Chelsea.

Kezman joined Chelsea in 2004, having scored 105 goals in 122 league appearances for PSV Eindhoven. The presence of Didier Drogba limited his involvement and he moved on to Atletico Madrid after just one season.

Despite a respectable return of 10 goals in 33 games for Atleti, Kezman was again on the move after a single season.

He signed for Fenerbahce and saw his goals increase again, leading to yet another move. PSG signed the Serbian on an initial loan deal, but he struggled for regular minutes. After just five league goals over two seasons, his contract was mutually terminated.

Gregory Coupet

The goalkeeping great spent the bulk of his career in a dominant Lyon side, before short spells at Atletico Madrid and PSG in the twilight of his career.

Coupet won seven straight Ligue 1 titles with Lyon and was named the division’s Goalkeeper of the Year on four occasions.

After 541 appearances for Lyon, he joined Atletico Madrid in 2008 but made just 11 appearances before returning to France a year later. Coupet concluded his career at PSG, playing 46 times over two seasons and winning the Coupe de France in 2010.

Kevin Gameiro

Kevin Gameiro’s prolific form at Lorient saw PSG move for the forward, snapping up the striker in an €11m deal in 2011. Gameiro scored 11 goals in Ligue 1 during his debut season, but the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani brought an end to his time with the club.

A move to Sevilla saw Gameiro star. He netted 67 times over three seasons as the Spanish side won three consecutive Europa League titles.

Atletico Madrid spent €32m to bring Gameiro to the capital, and he added a fourth Europa League winner’s medal to his collection in 2018. The Frenchman scored 27 times in 82 games for Atletico before leaving for Valencia.

Read – Club World Cup: The must-watch fixtures as new FIFA tournament kicks off

See more – FIFA Club World Cup: How to watch every game in the UK

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