Real Madrid captain hails Atletico Madrid coach for support after injury – ‘It surprised me’ | OneFootball

The rivalry between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid is one of the fiercest in football, marked by intense competition on the pitch.

However, moments of respect and mutual admiration occasionally shine through, reminding us of the human side of the sport. A recent example involves Dani Carvajal, who is currently on the road to recovery after a severe injury.

Carvajal’s injury was a devastating blow, occurring during the final minutes of a match against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 5.

The Spanish international suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, the external collateral ligament, and the popliteal tendon, along with an injury to the femoral biceps.

Simoneone’s unexpected gesture

Since then, Carvajal has been flooded with messages of encouragement and support. These gestures have come from a wide range of people, including fans, fellow players, and coaches.

“The truth is that I have felt very loved, many people have written to me, called me, shown me their support and affection and I take this opportunity to thank everyone,” said the defender as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Dani Carvajal was touched with Diego Simeone’s message. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Among the many messages he received, one stood out for its unexpectedness – a heartfelt note from Diego Simeone, the head coach of Atletico Madrid.

Simeone, despite being at the helm of Real Madrid’s archrivals, reached out to Carvajal, demonstrating the respect that exists between professionals, even in a fiercely competitive environment.

“It is true that there was a message that pleasantly surprised me, which was from Cholo Simeone . A person who loves football and whom I admire greatly, apart from the rivalry, obviously.”

Carvajal has acknowledged feeling deeply touched by the overwhelming support he has received during his recovery process.

“I think we share the vision of seeing this sport with great emotion and I remember that message as a special moment. From here I also send him a big hug,” he added.

This moment of mutual respect between a Real Madrid star and Atletico’s head coach highlights the emotional depth of football.

While rivalries drive the drama of the game, moments like these showcase the unity and respect that underpin the sport, even among its fiercest competitors.