It's curious. In any list that can be made of the most important players of the Atlético In the 'Era Simeone', the name of Antoine Griezmann He safely occupies one of the first steps. Maybe not the first, but few would get off the 'Top5'. His record, on the other hand, shows antagonistic conclusions: the 2014 Spanish Super Cup is its only national title in Rojiblanco.
It would be said that there is a point of bad fortune, of unfortunate 'timing', for a Griezmann who arrived at Atleti in the summer after the 2014 League and that I already played at Barça when the mattresses raised the Pandemia Leaguethat of 2021. The 2018 Europa League and the subsequent European Super Cup won Real Madrid adorn an orphan showcase in the national. Three championships, in total, who pale before the eight of Godín and Koke; the seven of Juanfran, Raúl García and Filipe Luis; or the six of Diego Costa, Saúl, Gabi and Mario Suárez.
Just a month ago, this was an Atlétic The epic comeback of Barça in the Metropolitanthe Cup is already as the only refuge for illusion. At the expense, of course, of that world anti -cell of clubs that await in the month of June.
With a contract in force, but …
That, the Cup, is the challenge that Atlético has to justify the illusion that had awakened in the Metropolitan during the winter. And also, in a very special way, of a Griezmann who meditates that those who remain from here to June are his latest services for a cause to which he has delivered nine of the 34 years of his life. He still has a contract for one more season, until 2026but the signs that are broadcast from the club and player environment point to the early divorce. Always, of course, in good terms.
Griezmann, in a game this season. / EFE
The fascination that Griezmann feels for the US and its culture is well known. NFL and NBA fan, every time he has a few days, he crosses the puddle to cultivate those passions. And now, he aspires to live surrounded by them. The American MLS has long been throwing the French cane, specifically the Los Angeles FC in which Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, World Champions in 2018 and Europe in 2016 with France like him.
Only four goals from Reyes
The decision, however, is not yet firm. There are chapters for writing and the Frenchman aspires to write them with brighter paragraphs than those that have been drawing in recent weeks. From Reyes, it only adds four goals, one of them in on the 4-4 of the first leg against Barça that is resolved this Wednesday. A fact that contrasts with the 12 goals he had scored in the initial third of the season.
“Each footballer has moments throughout the season. When they get used to having So much talent, both goal and so much hierarchy The need for him to return appears. I hope it appears, “he encouraged a Simeone on Tuesday that he is aware that the Frenchman is not paying in recent weeks, the decisive course, to the fullest of his abilities.
43 games this season
A downturn that has not diminished the confidence of the Argentine in the 'Little Prince'. Griezmann has started in the last 11 games that Atlético has played and so far this season has only rested in the Cup matches against Cacereño and Elche, unscathed to any minimum injury: He has 43 games played, only surpassed by Julián Álvarez's 45.
Simeone needs the recovery of the best Griezmann to what was his team, a Barça against which he has never scratched at a great level: he has only scored three goals with the Atlético shirt and the one that marked him in the first leg of this semifinal copera in Montjuïc was the first to score him after leaving the Barca locker room in the summer of 2021. He aspires in the metropolitan alive The dream of lifting a drink with Atlético.
