The story of Tiago
Tiago Mendes arrived from Juventus in 2010, first on loan and then permanently, a Portuguese midfielder with experience at Benfica, Chelsea and Lyon. Under Diego Simeone he became the calm, intelligent organiser in the centre of the pitch.
The quiet leader
Tiago was not the fastest or the flashiest player, but he was always in the right place. Alongside Gabi and later Koke, he protected the defence and kept the ball moving. He won the UEFA Europa League in 2012, the Copa del Rey in 2013, La Liga in 2013–14 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2014, and played in the Champions League final in Lisbon. He was also part of the squad that reached the 2016 final.
Legacy
Tiago played more than 170 league games for Atlético and retired in 2017. Supporters remember him as one of the quiet pillars of the side that changed the club's history.
