Atlético Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann was the player selected to face the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against his former club Barcelona, and he spoke openly when asked to respond to Diego Simeone’s words about his player.
“To open my heart, I need to be with my children and my wife, and with Cholo and his family. That’s how I’ll be able to truly open up,” Griezmann said. “But yes, I owe him so much. I’ve reached a level in football I never imagined.
“Firstly, thanks to Real Sociedad, and then to Cholo, who through his work has made me see many things and taught me a great deal, and on a personal level, I admire him and love him,” he continued. “It is an honour, a source of pride and a pleasure to play for him.”
Griezmann on how close he was to moving to Orlando in March
“Obviously, at the start in September, it was a bit more difficult to manage (the reduction in minutes). In the end, with the squad we have, and with my family at home, we’ve been working on it, looking for what Cholo needed. I understood that and I’m trying to do my best. It’s not the right time to talk about Orlando and what I’ll be doing. We’ve got a quarter-final coming up, which for me is incredible. It’s a high level, top-class football. My head is completely clear for that moment and I want to help as much as I can.”
Griezmann on whether the Champions League is what he meant by “the best is yet to come”
“I always think of the team. I think the best thing for me, to have peace of mind, so there are no doubts or questions, so the sky is clear, was to (announce the MLS move) now and move on to something else. La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, I’m very focused on that and hopefully I can deliver the standard everyone expects on the pitch.”
Griezmann on what lies ahead
“March of last year really hurt me, I had high expectations and didn’t know how to turn things around mentally. Instead of focusing on how to improve and finding another way to perform, I couldn’t do it. This year I’ve learned, and even at 35 I’m still learning. I’m ready for whatever it takes. I feel great mentally and that helps me a lot on the pitch.”
Griezmann on how he wants to be remembered
“What the manager said came as a bit of a surprise to me too. The best farewell I want and hope for is my performance on the pitch and the effort I’m going to put in every match. That’s the image I want to leave behind, one of what I’ve always tried to do, working for the team and scoring the odd goal now and then. I want to enjoy myself and be remembered that way.”
Griezmann on how he feels facing Barcelona
“Excitement, a real buzz. I feel like my son when he has a match on Saturday at 11 and wakes up at 6, and by half past six he’s already dressed and spends the whole morning like that. I want to enjoy it, they’ll be two great matches. We’ll have to prepare well for this game, be solid and a strong team.”
Griezmann on why he’s going to the United States now
“It’s a matter of timing. That’s how I felt, and that’s how I feel. I can’t talk about what’s to come or why I’m doing it, but I must focus on this match, which will be a great one.”
Griezmann on how a coach can convey the importance of a game like this
“You can talk about it, but what sticks in (the players’) minds is the image, your body language, what you show. You have to do it naturally. … Set an example by running, pressing, working defensively and offensively. That’s the best example – the gestures, the actions – and that’s how they see it. There’s been intensity in training and we’re fired up.”
