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Apollo Global Management Pursues Atlético Madrid Investment
US investment heavyweight Apollo is in early talks to buy a stake in Atlético Madrid, potentially adding one of Spain’s biggest football clubs to its growing European portfolio. The move could mark Apollo’s first real swing into top-flight football—and it’s not just about what happens on the pitch.
The discussions, first sparked by Atlético’s hunt for backing on a sprawling €800 million real estate project beside their Metropolitano stadium, have evolved to include the possibility of Apollo taking a stake in Atlético Holdco, the company that controls the club. A source within the club confirmed the US firm floated the idea during early talks about the “Ciudad del Deporte”—a new sports complex set to include everything from padel courts and climbing walls to golf simulators.
While CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín (50.8%) and chairman Enrique Cerezo (15.2%) are reportedly not interested in selling their shares, they’re not shutting the door entirely. The club is said to be open to issuing new equity to let Apollo in, should the discussions progress.
Ares Management, which snapped up a 34% stake in 2021 for €182 million, may be considering selling all or part of its holding, according to reports. If Ares cashes in now, it could walk away with a tidy profit—Atlético’s current enterprise value is pegged at €1.9 billion, per Football Benchmark.
If Apollo does dive in, it would be a rare move for the Wall Street firm, which until now has largely sat out the recent US buying frenzy in European football. It previously explored financing a Manchester United bid and once struck a $1.25 billion deal with the Mexican league that ultimately fell apart.
Off the pitch, Apollo’s European spending has been far more bullish, including snapping up energy group OEG and lending £4.5 billion to support the UK’s Hinkley Point C nuclear project. Now, Atlético’s flashy new sports-meets-real-estate vision may finally tempt Apollo into the game.
For Atlético, the real estate project is more than a vanity build. It’s also a test of how top clubs can leverage their brands to unlock long-term revenue streams beyond matchdays. The club aims to raise €555 million of the €800 million through private investors by offering stakes in Parque Metropolitano, the company created to manage the project. An additional €120 million will come from LaLiga Group International, while the club will invest €125 million of its own cash.
On the footballing side, Atlético continues to punch above its financial weight, having qualified for the UEFA Champions League 12 years running and reached the final twice in that span. A longer run in FIFA’s highly-lucrative Club World Cup this summer could have given them even more financial muscle, but Simeone’s side was ultimately dumped out in the group stage.
With UEFA reporting a drop in club takeovers last year, a deal with Apollo could reignite momentum for big-club investments in Spain, where clubs have historically been more resistant to external ownership.
Insideworldfootball.com
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
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United lost control after scoring
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They failed to win second balls
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They should have killed the match earlier
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The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
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Local News
Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
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David Beckham
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Zinedine Zidane
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Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
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“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
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Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
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And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
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Upgraded comfort
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Subtle structural refinement
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Increased responsiveness
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Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
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