Ten Atlético Madrid players took part in the final international break of 2025. For some, the World Cup qualification campaign ended in celebration, while others left disappointed. The European qualifiers brought both tension and certainty of advancement for several players from the Madrid club.
The Spanish national team secured its place at the World Cup after a dominant group performance. A 4-0 win in Georgia followed by a 2-2 draw with Turkey ensured the top spot in the group. Among Atlético’s players, Álex Baena stood out with an excellent display on the left wing, showing his creativity. Pablo Barrios added more international minutes, and Marcos Llorente confirmed his chances of remaining part of the squad next year.
In Italy, two Atlético forwards faced each other. Giacomo Raspadori watched from the bench as his teammate Alexander Sørloth helped Norway to a 4-1 victory and direct qualification. Sørloth had also scored twice in the previous match against Estonia.
Slovak defender Dávid Hancko fought for direct qualification in a match against Germany, but after a heavy 0-6 defeat he will have to go through the playoffs with his team. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak guarded Slovenia’s goal, but after losing to Kosovo, the team lost its chance to reach the tournament. Due to health issues, Oblak returned to Madrid, making his participation in the upcoming league match uncertain.
In South America, the Argentine national team played a friendly in Angola. Due to medical precautions, Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone, and Nahuel Molina stayed home, allowing them to rest. Thiago Almada and Nico González played most of the match, which Argentina won 2-0.
Uruguayan captain José María Giménez played the entire match against Mexico, which ended goalless. He did not appear in the following game against the United States, where his team suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat. The international break thus brought a mix of successes and disappointments, but several Atlético players can look forward to the World Cup.
