Something is clearly amiss with José María Giménez at Atlético Madrid, and the club is feeling the effects, with dropped points increasingly coinciding with the Uruguayan’s presence on the pitch. A mainstay and captain alongside Koke, Jan Oblak, and Antoine Griezmann, Giménez is facing an unfamiliar situation in his decade-long tenure with Los Colchoneros: he has lost his starting position. And emotionally, he’s struggling to accept it, impacting his performances.
Throughout his career, Giménez has been defined by resilience – a word he even has tattooed as a mantra on his neck – battling back from numerous injuries. He’s overcome difficult periods during his 13 seasons with Atlético (from 2013-14 to the present, uninterrupted), managing to surpass 3,000 minutes played in only three campaigns: 2015-16 (3,240 minutes in 36 matches), 2022-23 (3,049 in 33), and last season, 2024-25 (3,059 in 39). But when Giménez regained fitness, he often found himself in the same position – fighting for a starting role. His quality consistently shone through; he was, and often is, considered Simeone’s best central defender, a compatriot and long-time partner to Diego Godín, valued for his physical strength, aggressive tackling, and aerial ability on both sides of the pitch. He’s earned the nickname “Comandante” – the Commander – for a reason.
This season, however, things have changed. While Giménez has recovered from injuries, others have cemented their places in the starting eleven. Simeone’s defense no longer waits for anyone, not even “Josema,” as he’s affectionately known.
Gabriel Pubill and David Hancko are now Simeone’s undisputed central defensive pairing for important matches. Giménez does play, having featured in 51.5% of available minutes so far this season, but not solely due to injuries (which account for 31.9% of his missed time). He began the season in October after recovering from a muscle injury sustained at the Club World Cup, only to suffer a setback with a recurrence of an old hamstring issue in August. Upon his return on October 18th against Osasuna, he started. However, a subsequent thigh injury in mid-December coincided with Pubill’s emergence at Atlético, quickly rising from relative obscurity to a key player. Giménez lost his place, and while he remains a starter in La Liga matches against Mallorca, Betis, Rayo Vallecano, Real Oviedo, Real Sociedad, and Getafe, those games often see Simeone field his “Unit B” side, while the first-choice team competes in the Copa del Rey and Champions League. Giménez isn’t a regular starter in those higher-stakes competitions: he played 40 minutes against Betis and only 14 in the second leg against Barcelona. His frustration has been palpable on the pitch.
His recent performances have arguably impacted the team’s results. A penalty conceded against Tottenham Hotspur after coming on as a substitute nearly cost Atlético in their Champions League tie, and an error against Real Madrid directly led to Valverde’s goal. “He is angry and demotivated,” sources close to the dressing room have reportedly said. With a contract running until 2028, this season could potentially be Giménez’s last as a Rojiblanco.
According to reports, Fenerbahçe has already initiated contact regarding a potential transfer, with a fee of around €10 million being discussed. Luis Suárez, a former teammate, is reportedly acting as an intermediary, attempting to convince Giménez to trade Spain for Istanbul.
José María Giménez de Vargas, born January 20, 1995, in Toledo, Uruguay, currently plays as a centre-back for Atlético Madrid and captains the Uruguay national team. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is currently €12.00 million. He joined Atlético Madrid in 2013 after starting his professional career with Danubio FC. He has won five major titles with Atlético, including La Liga titles in 2013-14 and 2020-21, and the UEFA Europa League in 2017-18. Internationally, Giménez has represented Uruguay at three FIFA World Cups and five Copa América tournaments, earning 98 caps and scoring 8 goals as of March 27, 2026. He was also part of the Uruguay squad that finished as runners-up at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The situation at Atlético is a complex one. Giménez’s frustration is understandable, given his previous status as an undisputed starter. However, the emergence of Pubill and Hancko has presented Simeone with a formidable defensive pairing, and the coach appears committed to building around them. Whether Giménez can regain his place in the team, or whether a move to Fenerbahçe is on the cards, remains to be seen. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the “Comandante.”
Atlético Madrid will next face Girona in a La Liga match on April 3rd. The match will be played at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, with a kickoff time of 9:00 PM local time (3:00 PM EDT/12:00 PM PDT). The game will be a key test for Atlético as they continue their pursuit of a Champions League qualification spot.
What do you think? Will Giménez be able to regain his starting position at Atlético, or is a move away inevitable? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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