The moment Antoine Griezmann released his La Decision, you would have probably been thinking this video would be the most defining moment in the French superstars career. After aiding his club to an impressive Europa League crown last season, it was thought that Griezmann would leave the Wanda Metropolitano on a high, joining the high calibre ranks of Lionel Messi and co that summer.
If there was any promotional videos/clips that would have had – not only Atletico Madrid fans – but the whole nation and the world on the edge of their seats and sweating then Griezmann’s promotional video comes at first place. His reasons for staying, you really can’t go against. To bring a new feeling of ambition, poise and drive to Atletico’s cause. Becoming the important and vital cog in a machine aiming to challenge the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona for the La Liga title and the rest of Europe for the Champions League gong. Or even on a more personal level challenging the likes of Messi and Ronaldo for personal honours.
Well, almost a year on… it seems Antoine Griezmann may currently be regretting that big decision he so much desired to advertise. On current evidence, Atletico’s demise over the last few weeks has been pretty damning. After conjuring up a comfortable lead over Juventus after their 2-0 triumph at the Wanda Metropolitano, Simeone’s warriors went to Turin knowing that another one their trademark sturdy, rigid and astute performances will have taken them to the Quarter-finals and the knowledge of keeping their arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo quiet will have been all the more sweeter. But it wasn’t to be. Cristiano Ronaldo ran riot and encapsulated the gulf in class Antoine Griezmann would personally have to reach if he aims to be considered to be worthy to sit at the same table as Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
A crushing defeat at the hands of Ronaldo and co to knock them out of the Champions League and to make matters worse, they succumbed to a surprise 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, all but ending their fading La Liga title hopes. Griezmann’s season is theoretically over. And now various reports are emerging that Barcelona may be back in for a player they were really hoping to secure last summer. The question is, will they be willing to stress themselves again over a potential deal after Griezmann turn them down in the first instance? On the other hand, the Catalan giants will certainly be on the search for a replacement for the great Luis Suarez and maybe, just maybe Antoine Griezmann could be that man. However, sources close to Griezmann say that there has been no concrete interest from Barcelona over a summer move. The one problem is, while they are on a lookout for a striker, Luka Jovic of Eintracht Frankfurt has rapidly emerged as their top target which will tarnish any ambitions Griezmann had if he ever desired to turn heads to the Camp Nou.
Nonetheless, the French forward is stuck in a predicament. Does he leave the club he has performed so admirably for or will he really search for pastures new this summer? Especially with the release of his Netflix documentary, ‘Antoine Griezmann: The Making of a Legend’. At this moment in time – to many fans – he won’t be considered one, justifying that tag to himself may even seem all the more difficult for him as he reaches the peak of his career. Again, the big question is, does he need to leave Atletico Madrid in search of becoming a great? Is the club holding him back? These are questions Griezmann will surely be asking himself as the season draws to a close. How that resonates with the fans is entirely another matter, you would have forgiven them for being overly excited, overwhelmed and shocked at Antoine Griezmann’s La Decision, shocked at the sight that a top 10 player in World football chose to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano than move across the country to the Camp Nou. It was yet another example of Atletico’s efforts to chip away at the top two: Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Lets not forget, it has been another good season for the Frenchman, statistically – reaching the 20-goal mark yet again for both club and country – but this was supposed to be the season that Atletico Madrid would be challenging on all fronts including the Champions League but those lofty ambitions have faded away within a matter of weeks, and Griezmann as well as the whole club, will be evaluating what went wrong come the end of the season. You wouldn’t back against both parties declaring a clean slate this summer. After throwing away a two goal lead against Juventus, and slipping well away from Barcelona in the La Liga title race, it could be that this current Madrid team now disbands. A team that has been built on togetherness and solidity in every area, yet Diego Godin and Lucas Hernandez are both set to leave this summer which could have Griezmann seriously considering his future.
Robbie Dunne – a sports journalist in Madrid covering La Liga – told Bleacher Report:
“Godin is one of Griezmann’s closest allies in the squad and the one who stopped the Atleti fans from booing him during the whole debacle last season. He was so important in convincing him to stay.
Lucas Hernandez is on his way to Bayern Munich, which is another French player gone out of the squad. Thomas Lemar hasn’t settled, and his future is up in the air after Griezmann pushed for that signing.”
Dunne also interestingly added:
“Also, fans are probably thinking if they are going to rebuild, why not cash in on a player who is getting €20 million a year and spread those wages around a little. If the question over his future keeps popping up at every bump in the road, then why not eliminate the speculation by just getting rid while his value is still high.”
That may be easier said than done. It will be very difficult for the Atletico fans to forget all that Griezmann has done for them since his famous move from Real Sociedad in 2014. However, what’s so intriguing is that the fact that Griezmann has never won a Spanish league or a domestic cup with the club, the only major trophy he will have to show for his efforts is last years Europa League triumph. Sure, Griezmann had the beauty of lifting the World Cup last summer ending the season on a remarkable note but it is at club level where he may feel he deserves more accolades, whether he will fulfil those ambitions at Atletico Madrid remains to be seen.
There is no denying Griezmann’s brilliance and he has once again shown those abilities this season especially between December and February where he just couldn’t stop scoring, but its after that period where fans will really start to question his commitment to the cause going through a six game goalless run including the ties against Juventus in the Champions League. All season Atletico have lacked a reliable no.9 alongside Griezmann, and maybe that’s taken its toll on the Frenchman physically and mentally.
Former Chelsea powerhouse Diego Costa has been unbelievably inconsistent since his return to the club, becoming a shadow of his former beastly self at Chelsea. Also, Simeone’s plunge in signing Alvaro Morata doesn’t look to have worked out either with the Spaniard struggling to finally make a name for himself. Griezmann has more or less been Atleti’s main goal threat this term, a worrying fact that is further evident by their goal tally in La Liga with only 39 goals scored from 28 games – 34 less than leaders Barcelona. A damning statistic and one not truly representing a team aiming to cause panic towards Barcelona in the hunt for the La Liga title.
When Griezmann put pen to paper on that new deal last summer – a deal lasting till 2023 – there was hope that the Frenchman would lead the club into a new project one that would take the club to that next level. However, the way things have taken a turn as this season draws to a close not only creates an uncertain future for certain players in the club but also in the future of their prized asset Antoine Griezmann.
If the French superstar is to prove himself to the world and become the player he has always been primed to be then a move from Atletico may just be what he needs. If a move to Barcelona isn’t on the table, then where could he be heading next? Manchester United? How Ole Gunner Solskjaer would love to utilise Griezmann’s prowess in a team well decorated to counter-attack sitting alongside his close friend Paul Pogba. A tantalising prospect. What about Bayern Munich? The German giants are in need of some fresh blood in attack and with the Golden oldies of Ribery and Arjen Robben moving on, the potential signing of Griezmann could be appealing to the club as a whole. Could a surprise move to Paris Saint-Germain be on the cards? Though, we can all agree Griezmann wouldn’t fulfil his ambitions over in France. The French league is hardly the platform to exert yourself when it comes to challenging for individual honours. You may have to ask Neymar and Kylian Mbappe sooner rather than later.
What we do know is that Griezmann’s future is hanging in the balance, it may be yet another summer of ‘La Decision’. Don’t be surprised to see another televised advertisement.
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