Pablo Barrios is about to achieve something that many young players only dream of. At just 21 years old, he is expected to play his 100th match for Atletico Madrid this Saturday against Real Sociedad. From his debut on October 29, 2022, against Cadiz, the midfielder from Moratalaz has become a key player in the first team.
New Contract and Big Pay Raise for Pablo Barrios
As Pablo Barrios prepares to hit this major milestone, he is also close to signing a new contract. According to AS, his salary will be tripled from 1 million to 3 million euros per year. The new deal will extend his stay from 2028 to 2030, with a release clause now exceeding 100 million euros. The renewal may be announced right after his 100th game.
A Strong Season Despite Setbacks
This season, Pablo Barrios has played in 38 matches, starting 35 of them. Even with two injuries and two red cards, he has still clocked 2,904 minutes, making him the fifth most-used outfield player. His development shows his growing importance in Diego Simeone’s system.
Learning from Koke and Taking Charge
Pablo Barrios has taken on the role of a defensive midfielder, once played by club captain Koke. He has studied Koke closely and now acts as the anchor in midfield. His maturity, vision, and control have impressed both fans and coaches alike. Barrios will become the fourth academy graduate under Simeone to reach 100 games, after Saúl (427), Thomas Partey (188), and Lucas Hernandez (110).
Pablo Barrios Compared to Atletico Legends
Barrios will turn 22 on June 15, the same day Atletico Madrid face PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup. If he keeps playing regularly, he could reach 104 matches by then. For comparison, Koke had 138 games by age 22 and Saúl had 108. Barrios is already the second most valuable player at Atletico on Transfermarkt, valued at €50 million, just behind Julian Alvarez.
A Future Star at the Metropolitano
Players and fans see Barrios as the future of Atletico. Julian Alvarez recently said that Barrios impressed him the most since arriving. Even Clement Lenglet picked him as the player who stood out most. With so much potential and a strong foundation, Barrios is set to become a true Atletico legend.
