Atlético Madrid Fans Celebrate 11th La Liga Title
Atlético de Madrid have won the 2020/21 La Liga title, beating Real Valladolid 2-1 away, on the last day of the season.
The title race went to the wire on the last day, with just two points seperating them from arch rivals Real Madrid who were looking to retain the title they won last season and add to their tally of 34 Liga wins.
Atlético held their nerve on the last day after having lost their original 9 point Liga lead from earlier in the season.
The team which has a history of bad luck and have the nickname of “El Pupas” which translates as “the jinxed ones” – a name that was given to them by their then club president, Vicente Calderon, following their heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich during the European Cup final of 1974.
In the 2014 Champions League final against Real Madrid, the “rojiblancos” managed to hold onto a slim 1.0 lead until after the 90th minute before Real Madrid equalised in injury time and went on to inflict a bitter 4-1 defeat.
The 2020/21 season saw Atlético take the top position after only 9 games, but by Easter had been overtaken by Barcelona on 71 points and Real had levelled up at 70.
Most pundits were sure that the title would go to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
However Atlético held their nerve and moved ahead of both. 
Their penultimate match saw their saviour in the form of Barcelona signing – Luis Suarez – who scored a last-minute winning goal over Osasuna to win 2-1 allowing Athletico to stay in the title fight – indeed Suarez became the club’s top scorer this season with a tally of 21 goals.
The celebrations started across Madrid on the final whistle and the teams first title win since 2014.
Tens of thousands of fans have been celebrating over the weekend – in their neighbourhoods as well as the centre of Madrid.
On Sunday 23rd May the team received the Liga cup the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales at a ceremony in their home stadium of Wanda Metropolitana.
In attendance were Madrid Mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the Madrid regional premier, Isabel Diaz Ayuso.
After fans drove in their cars along the victory route from Atocha to Plaza de Castilla where they passed the boarded up the Neptune fountain, being the traditional gathering spot to celebrate team victories,but which is closed this year due to Covid restrictions.
A total of 34 people have been treated by the SAMUR emergency services for minor injuries.
