Antoine Griezmann has reportedly stated that he was wanted by Barcelona in the summer of 2018 and regrets pushing the move by a whole year
Antoine Griezmann was signed by Barcelona in the summer of 2019 for 120 million euros after the Catalans triggered his hefty release clause. However, since his move to Camp Nou, the French forward has failed to live up to the expectations given how successful he was at Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone.
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In a recent interview, it has been revealed by the player himself that he was wanted by Barca in 2018, however, he decided to stay a year longer at Madrid. Griezmann went on to state that when he signed for Barca he had to apologize to the club for extending his stay at Atletico.
The Frenchman also made a shocking revelation that Lionel Messi had publicly demanded his signing in 2018, however, when Griezmann snubbed the move it had left Messi devasted, according to MARCA.
"“He told me that when I turned down the first chance to go [to Barcelona], he was screwed because he had asked for it publicly”. – Antoine Griezmann’s conversation with Leo Messi upon signing for Barca in 2019."
It is quite a well-known situation that Griezmann is struggling at Barca and the Frenchman is aware that this could possibly be his last season if he does not step up and perform. There have been reports stating that the Catalans are looking to offload Griezmann next summer if his performances do not improve given the fact that he is the second-highest-paid player at the club and Barca are currently facing a severe economic crisis.
What do you make of Griezmann’s situation at the club? Will he able to succeed this season and show the same lethal attacking form that was on display with Atletico Madrid in the past? Or will he continue to struggle as he did under Ernesto Valverde and Quique Setien?