 In July 2005 he returned, going on to be an instrumental element in the team's midfield (alongside Raul Meireles and Lucho González), as they eventually won three consecutive league championships.Assunção left the Estádio do Dragão after being threatened with a shot to the knee by supporters of the club who wanted him to renew his contract.In early July 2008, after buying out the remainder of his contract, Assunção joined Atlético Madrid.