The Argentine believes that the two clubs have made Madrid “the capital of world football” and is expecting a fine match in the Champions League final
Former Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid midfielder Santiago Solari believes that both clubs deserve their place in the Champions League final.
Diego Simeone’s side have gone throughout the whole European campaign unbeaten and have seen off the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea en route to Lisbon.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have played teams such as Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Juventus during their run and Solari feels the two sides have made the Spanish capital the epicentre of world football.
“It will be a beautiful game. They both deserve to have reached the Champions League final,” the Argentine told AS.
“It’s a very special game because they are the only two clubs for whom I played in Spain. Madrid is like my home. I came to Atletico from Argentina and I spent five wonderful years at Madrid.
“To me, Madrid means a lot. It’s wonderful that Madrid is the world capital of football. It must fill the locals with pride that the two teams play each other in the Champions League final.
“I have a lot of affection and respect for Atletico. They opened the door to European football to me but I cannot deny that I’m a Madridista.
“I spent the most beautiful years of my career there. They gave me everything.”
Solari won the Champions League with the Bernabeu club in 2002 and remembers the day he became a European champion fondly.
“It was one of the most beautiful days of my career in Madrid. The group that made up the team was special. It was the centenary year and there was a lot of pressure.
“Winning that European Cup was a great relief.”