Antonie Griezmann Explains “La Decisión” to Reject Barcelona

Saying no to Barça “gives greatness” to Atlético, Griezmann says.

Antonie Griezmann has spoken out about his controversial La Decisión television special, in which he announced his intention to stay at Atlético Madrid and reject Barcelona.

“I knew there would be good and bad comments because it was something new,” Griezmann told Diario AS. “But something that I wanted to show was that it was not so easy, like choosing a type of gum: I want this one or that one. It was not like that. It was something very important, it is a decision for the future. You don’t look solely at one year, you do it thinking of four or five, you analyze your future, which is something very important.”

Barcelona were set to pay Griezmann’s release clause and pry him away from Atlético. Griezmann had apparently hinted to them that he would leave, but he ultimately turned them down.

“That also gives greatness to the club, to ‘Cholo’ [manager Diego Simeone], my teammates... If they were not good, I would have left. But I have confidence in ‘Cholo,’ in the club, and in all my teammates. I want to help them grow and I trust in them to make me grow. We have given a lot to each other and everything is very positive so that this continues in an upward trend.”

Despite his optimism, Atlético are currently 8th in La Liga. On the other hand, it is early, and they always have a chance in other competitions.

Source: barcablaugranes.com