Paulo Futre

Paulo Futre was 21 when he joined Atlético in 1987, weeks after winning the European Cup with Porto. His signing was the headline promise of Jesús Gil's first presidential campaign, and it announced a new, ambitious era.

The dribbler

Futre was a left-footed winger who could beat defenders in a phone box. Fast, inventive and brave, he became the star of the team and the captain, and for six seasons the Calderón came to watch him. Atlético won the Copa del Rey in 1991, and again in 1992, when the final against Real Madrid was played at the Santiago Bernabéu: Bernd Schuster scored from a free kick and Futre added the second in a 2–0 win.

A short return

Futre left in 1993 and played for Benfica, Marseille, Reggiana, AC Milan and West Ham, with serious knee injuries along the way. He returned to Atlético briefly in 1997–98 before finishing his career in Japan.

Legacy

For supporters who grew up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Futre was the reason to go to the stadium: a player of pure talent who loved the club, and whom the club loved back.