If things go as the Spanish media writes about, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who is also the world’s highest paid football manager, will be in charge of the club he played 86 games for Inter Milan when next season kicks off.
Both Atletico Madrid and his presumably next club Inter Milan were humiliated on their own (real) turf by Bodø/Glimt in this season’s edition of the Champions League. Bodø/Glimt beat Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league stage, and now Inter Milan in the knockout round.
Diego Simeone is suddenly Alexander Sørloth’s biggest fan
A miracle writes the world press, but forget it! Bodø/Glimt is simply a better football team.
Both Atletico Madrid and Bodø/Glimt are through in the Champions League Bodø/Glimt with a 2 – 5 aggregate win over Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid further after a total of 7 – 4 over Club Brygge. – In yesterday’s game, hat-trick from Alexander Sørloth, who was also named the best on the field. ( At the end of January, Atletico Madrid lost 1 – 2 against Bodø/Glimt at home, Alexander Sørloth started the game by scoring)
Before Alexander Sørloth’s hat trick and the last period, Diego Simeone was crystal clear that the Norwegian striker had to be sold, then there were rumours that he would not renew his contract and with that would leave the decision to sell to those who were left. “Now the manager talks as if this was the plan all along.
Alexander Sørloth is our new superstar!
Before the New Year, Ståle Solbakken was worried about Alexander Sørloth. After a jubilant season with 20 La Liga goals for Atletico Madrid, the autumn of 2025 was marked by bench life under Diego Simeone. For the Norwegian national team, it was crucial that the 30-year-old got enough games from the start before this summer’s World Cup. For a long time, it seemed that the roads parted between Sørloth and Atletico. But then everything turned around.
Simeone realized that he needed his Norwegian Viking on the field. And Sørloth has responded to the trust – with interest. On Tuesday, he hammered in three goals and sent Atletico Madrid through to the last eight of the Champions League.
The weekend before: Two goals against Espanyol
We rewind to Saturday, when Sørloth once again took centre stage with two goals in the 4-2 win over Espanyol. Forgotten was the period of goal drought and criticism earlier in the season. Now Sørloth is referred to as “the king of the air” and one of the most important pieces in Simeone’s attacking line.
Spanish radio station Cadena SER drew up a flattering comparison to illustrate Sørloth’s goal effectiveness. “Sørloth surpasses Luis Suarez’s goal record at Atletico Madrid,” it said – with 36 goals in fewer minutes than the Uruguayan striker legend.
Alexander Sørloth is not holding back and with more playing time now he will climb on La Liga’s top scorer list.
Three goals in one game – in the Champions League
Three days later, Sørloth did not settle for two: against Club Brugge in the Champions League, the Norwegian striker delivered a hat trick in the 4-1 victory. With an aggregate score of 7-4 over two games, Atletico Madrid are through to the last eight – largely thanks to the Norwegian.
Sørloth himself took the feat with crushing calmness and described it all as a “normal day at work” – where his teammates made the job easy.
“It’s been an incredible game. We continued to press offensively, and that was right. My teammates made good passes, and I really just had to put them in. We managed to dominate,” Sørloth said, according to Marca.
Deschamps has got it
When it became clear that Norway will face France in the World Cup, the French national team manager Didier Deschamps was asked about Erling Braut Haaland. The answer was nevertheless just as enlightening:
– … but they also have Sørloth, he is good.
Deschamps has understood that. Alexander Sørloth plays himself as our new superstar. We love it!
After seeing the beating that Inter Milan and themselves received from Bodø/Glimt, he understands that a real Norwegian Viking is needed to stop the yellow wave from the north. AS reports that Diego Simeone has put Alexander Sørloth on his wish list if he takes over the responsibility at the San Siro.
