Bafana Bafana legend Quinton Fortune has offered a glimpse into the demanding environment he encountered as a teenager at Atletico Madrid, recalling how current manager Diego Simeone used an aggressive approach with young players during their time as teammates.

Fortune was just 18 when he joined the Spanish club, where he shared a dressing room with Simeone, who was already known for his combative playing style. Fortune and fellow teenager Veljko Paunovic were among the young players who experienced the Argentine’s intense approach on the training pitch.

Speaking to British publication The Times, Fortune described Simeone as a tough personality whose passion and leadership were apparent even before he moved into coaching. However, the South African admitted that the midfielder’s methods could be intimidating for inexperienced players.

“He’d kick the c**p out of young players,” Fortune recalled, describing the physical intensity Simeone brought to training.

At the time, Fortune said he struggled to understand everything Simeone was saying because of his Argentine accent. Nevertheless, he quickly recognised the former midfielder’s strong character and competitive nature.

Rather than allowing himself to be intimidated, Fortune said he and the other youngsters responded to the challenge. He recalled that they were hungry to prove themselves and were prepared to stand their ground when confronted by the more experienced player.

“We gave a bit of it back,” he said.

Fortune’s recollections offer a contrast between Simeone’s playing days and his current reputation as one of football’s most intense managers. The Argentine, who now leads Atletico Madrid from the touchline, built his playing career around aggression, determination and a fierce competitive spirit — qualities that have also become associated with his coaching identity.

Fortune went on to enjoy a career spanning more than 15 years, representing clubs including Mallorca, Bolton Wanderers, Brescia and Doncaster Rovers. He also spent seven years at Manchester United between 1999 and 2006, during a period when the English club featured a star-studded squad and competed regularly for major honours.

On the international stage, Fortune represented South Africa for nine years. He featured for Bafana Bafana at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups and also played at the Africa Cup of Nations in those years.

His story began far from the glamour of European football. Having grown up in the Western Cape during apartheid, Fortune developed the resilience he says helped him cope with the demanding environment at Atletico.

His memories of Simeone provide a personal account of the intensity young footballers can encounter when trying to establish themselves among experienced professionals and how those early challenges can become part of a player’s development.

Source: https://x.com/kickoffmagazine/status/2111084815613092094?s=46