Jan Oblak (foto: Getty Images)
Marca places Jan Oblak’s future in focus as Atlético Madrid prepares for a crucial summer where the Slovenian goalkeeper could decide whether to stay or leave.
Jan Oblak is with the Slovenian national team, preparing for friendly matches against Cyprus and Croatia, but in Spain, the focus has already shifted toward a different topic.
What happens next?
That question dominates today’s coverage from Marca, Spain’s biggest sports daily, which placed the future of the Atlético Madrid goalkeeper at the center of its attention.
For the first time in many years, Oblak’s position at Atlético no longer looks untouchable.
The Slovenian goalkeeper has spent 12 years at Atlético Madrid, played 538 matches, became a club icon, and climbed to third place on the club’s all-time appearance list. He remains vice-captain, fan favorite, and one of the most respected figures in the dressing room.
But this season brought something unusual.
Juan Musso stepped in during Oblak’s injury absence and impressed enough to earn opportunities outside cup competitions. Toward the end of the campaign, Oblak even found himself on the bench in situations where such scenarios once seemed impossible.
That alone changed the conversation.
Oblak still has two years remaining on his contract, and according to Marca, Atlético are prepared to leave the final decision entirely in his hands. The club reportedly plans to approach his future similarly to how it handled club legends like Antoine Griezmann, Koke, and even Diego Simeone.
The biggest obstacle remains financial.
Oblak earns around €20 million gross per season, translating to more than €10 million net annually, making him Atlético’s highest-paid player. At 33 years old and with increasing competition for places, questions around long-term planning naturally follow.
Still, leaving may not be simple.
Marca points out that Oblak still feels attached to unfinished business at Atlético. He was one of the central figures behind the club’s 2020/21 La Liga title, and sources close to the situation suggest he still dreams of lifting a major trophy he never managed to win in Madrid.
The Champions League remains missing.
That dream might feel ambitious given Atlético’s recent European performances, but Oblak has repeatedly shown loyalty when major clubs approached him in previous years. Time after time, he chose stability and loyalty over change.
As Oblak himself recently admitted, football changes quickly.
An offer could arrive. Atlético might accept it. Oblak might accept it too.
For the first time in a long time, departure feels realistic.
But staying does too.
Because despite all the questions surrounding his future, one question remains difficult to answer:
Who easily replaces a goalkeeper who won the Zamora Trophy six times?