Atletico Madrid’s Champions League fall guy has become its unlikely hero.
Sales of Juanfran shirts at Atletico Madrid’s club shop have increased eightfold since his penalty miss in the Champions League final.
The Spanish right-back smashed his spot-kick against the post in the the shootout with Real Madrid last weekend, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to score the winner and break Atleti hearts.
Clearly devastated by his miss, he walked towards Atletico’s fans and held his hands up to apologise after the conclusion of the match.
Heartwarmingly, he was greeted by a standing ovation from the entire section of the stadium before his teammates walked over to console him.
Support for the 31-year-old has continued to flood social media networks after he wrote a heartfelt message to Atletico fans following his moment of anguish in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
That show of affection has expanded into other areas as the popularity of his number 20 has skyrocketed in the days following the Milan final.
Atletico fans are now buying Juanfran shirts at a similar rate to which they are purchasing jerseys with the likes of Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann and Koke on the back.
Rarely has a shirt worn by losing finalists and bearing the name of the player responsible for the loss been so popular.
On Monday, Atleti released an open letter penned by the distraught full-back.
“Hello Atlético fans,” it begun. “I have asked the club to address all of you with this letter to tell you everything I feel.
“I will never forget your displays of affection when I came to ask for your forgiveness. Seeing my tears reflected in the faces of the thousands of Atléticos that packed that end of the stadium helped me cope with the tremendous sadness I felt in those hard times. As well as the support of my teammates, coaches, and all the people that makes this big family.
“I also want to thank you for always believing in us and, above all, for proving that being an Atlético is something very special, different, and that our heart beats stronger than any other.
“Two years ago, I told you that we would return to a final, now, I tell you that Gabi, our captain, will lift the Champions League sooner or later, and we will celebrate it all together in Neptuno.
“I love you very much and GO ATLETI.”
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