Antoine Griezmann turned down Barcelona for Atlético

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann turned down Barcelona



On hearing this news a lot of Barcelona fans are probably crying into their cafes con leche this morning, myself included!

Frenchman Antoine Griezmann said he turned down playing for FC Barcelona because he would have probably had to start in the B team and worked his way into the first team’s squad.

Griezmann is currently flavour of the month in La Liga and has impressed manager Diego Simeone. His linking up with Atlético’s other flavour of the month Mario Mandzukic against Real Madrid in their 4-0 bashing at the weekend has set tongues wagging.

23 year-old Griezmann spent five seasons at Real Sociedad and helped them back into La Liga with some great performances before being sold to Atlético Madrid for €30 million. Before he was sold to the Madrid outfit, he did enough at Real Sociedad to warrant some interest from Barcelona who made it clear that he would spend a year in the reserves before making his debut with the first team.

That didn’t interest Griezmann, who promptly signed for Simeone’s outfit, Los Colchoneros. Antoine Griezmann spoke to RTL: “When Barcelona got in touch with me, they spoke with my agents, but nothing really happened after that.”

“They wanted to me start with Barcelona B and then make the step up to the first team after one year. I was already playing in the Segunda Division with Real Sociedad, though. I did not want to go to another team in the same competition.

“You would have to ask Barcelona how much they wanted me. I wanted to play in the first team and I don’t know if they wanted me that badly.”

Maybe Barcelona is rueing not wanting the talented midfielder/forward enough as he is certainly adding some spice to Atlético Madrid this season finding the net 12 times in 22 appearances so far this campaign.

About Aaron

My name's Aaron and I'm a great Barça fan. I like to tell it like it is and if there is something I don't like about the club or something that needs addressing, you'll know!

Comments

  1. Duru Ikechukwu anselem says

    Barca should go and look for good defender

  2. Duru Ikechukwu anselem says

    Some body like Thiago Silver or David Luis