He offered victory to the Colchoneros in a match with an incredible scenario. “I’m in great shape,” said Antoine Griezmann, hero of Atlético Madrid against FC Porto (2-1), when he has only played the last half hours of matches since the start of the season.
But he has “zero message” to send, he said at the microphone of Canal Plus after scoring the winning goal in the 11th minute of added time. No message, “just” to say “that I am very happy to be here, to play for this club, this coach and these supporters. I want to give everything, for the minutes given to me”.
Loaned for the second season in a row to Atlético by FC Barcelona, with whom he is under contract until 2024, “Grizou” is stuck in the middle of the imbroglio between the two clubs concerning the clauses of his contract .
According to Spanish press, Atletico’s €40m purchase option will automatically be activated if Griezmann plays more than 45 minutes in 50% (or more) of Colchoneros’ matches during the season.
Since the start of it, Atlético coach Diego Simeone has limited the playing time of the French international (108 caps, 42 goals) to 27 short minutes per match, to avoid forcing his club to pay the clause at full price.
“I had a big slump”
Will the leader of the Blues play more? “You have to ask the coach, he replies, I am here to do my job. The only thing I can do is come in like today and try to make a difference, then we’ll see.
“It’s like that, it’s not in my hands. I thank God for being here, my family is happy, also explained the Frenchman. Of course, I want more, but I’m going to give it my all in the minutes I have. »
But “I’m in great shape”, he assures, “I feel good physically with my legs, the pre-season did me a lot of good. I needed that, I had a big slump at the end of last season when I wasn’t mentally well either. There it is much better, I am fully. And in the head, “I am very well, I think we saw it on entering” against Porto, he concludes.