Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger pays a visit to the Atletico Madrid training ground on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
According to reports, Wenger went to Madrid on FIFA business, with Vice-President Fatma Samoura and will be at the city for the next few days.
The FIFA representatives are expected to meet with the Spanish Government and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to discuss the recent legal cases involving the latter, and the preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
Arsene Wenger is part of the FIFA innovation committee in charge of suggesting new roles and changes to the game, as well as evaluating the current practice.
The Frenchman took the chance to see Atletico players and manager at their training ground, he was filmed donning a black suit while shaking hands with the team players one after another.
In a video posted by the Spanish club side, Atletico Madrid, Arsene Wenger was seen at the club’s training ground in Majadahonda, where he spoke with compatriot Antoine Griezmann. Thereafter, he was seen with the club’s head coach Diego Simeone discussing with him.
The Frenchman was in charge of the Gunners between October 1996 and May 2018, losing out in the Europa League semi-finals to Atletico Madrid in his last European match on July 16, 2018.
The Frenchman has previously admitted he rejected a host of jobs during his 22 years at Arsenal, with the Spanish giants being one of the teams most frequently linked with tempting him away from north London.
14-time European champions Real Madrid were among those Wenger said no to, while he also turned down approaches from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
The first approach from Madrid for Wenger is believed to have come in 2004 and the 68-year-old revealed he felt he would be betraying Arsenal if he quit North London for the Bernabeu after committing to support the Gunners through their transition from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger also turned down the chance to manage England after Euro 2000 following a dismal performance after 16 years he then reportedly shut down the offer to manage France.
Arsene Wenger enjoyed an outstanding career spell at Arsenal winning several individual and collective honors, including Premier League Manager of the Season; 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04, France Football 32nd Greatest Manager of All Time: 2019, and France Football Manager of the Year: 2008.
