Gameiro: Atleti was my last chance of a big move

Kevin Gameiro

fter joining from Sevilla earlier this summer, Kevin Gameiro claims the move to Atletico Madrid was his last chance to sign for a big club.

Now 29, the Frenchman has not, to date, performed regularly at the highest level, but moving to the Andalusians in 2013 after falling down the pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain was enough to reignite his career.

Netting 16 LaLiga goals last season attracted the attention of both Atleti and Barcelona, who are looking for an alternative option to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Choosing Los Rojiblancos will most likely see him play more football than at the Camp Nou, and while Gameiro admits that was part of his thinking, he is under no illusions of the size of club he has moved to.

"If I went to Barcelona, I knew I was only going to play a bit because of the others," he told L'Equipe.

"Atletico offered me probably my last chance to join a big club, and here it is like a big family."

Boss Diego Simeone has worked wonders at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, and Gameiro says the Argentine has shown Spanish football is about more than just possession.

"People believe possession is the only way in Spain, you must keep the ball," he added.

"It isn't like that, there is a lot of pressure and defensive withdrawal."

Currently injured, Gameiro will hope to be fit by the time Atleti host newly promoted Alaves on August 21.

9:32 AM