Atlético de Madrid has started a vote among its members to renew the plaques at the Paseo de Leyendas outside the Estadio Metropolitano, but Mexican ex-player Hugo Sánchez is not on the eligible list, sparking debate about his legacy with the club.
Atlético de Madrid notified its 151,831 members of an open vote from December 26, 2025, to January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time, to select 20 players for the Paseo de Leyendas. This walkway, located outside the Estadio Metropolitano, honors former players with dedicated plaques. Previously, the criterion was playing more than 100 matches for the rojiblancos, but now it involves a broader analysis including qualitative merit, club values, generational recognition, historical moments, and behavior toward the team and fans.
Among the 200 eligible players, Hugo Sánchez, who played for Atlético from 1981 to 1985, is not included. During his time, he played 162 matches, scored 82 goals, won the 1985 Copa del Rey, and earned his first Pichichi Trophy with 19 goals in the 1984/85 season. His current plaque would be removed in 2026 if not reelected. The club has not explicitly explained the exclusion, but on social media, fans speculate it stems from Sánchez joining rival Real Madrid after his Atlético stint.
Sánchez is not the only notable absence; Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who won LaLiga 2013-14, Copa del Rey 2012-13, Europa League 2011-12, and the 2012 European Supercup with the club, is also omitted for similar reasons. In an interview cited by Reforma, Sánchez justified his move: “I was hungry for success, for winning titles, and I knew that those titles with Atlético de Madrid would be very difficult. So I took the step to go to Madrid because I wanted to achieve my goals. I hope people understand it.”
Members can vote for up to five players, assigning points from 1 to 5, and the top 20 vote-getters will secure or gain their spot on the walkway. The final list will be announced in the coming weeks, potentially reigniting discussions on the legacy of controversial figures in the club's history.
