The string of words that Atletico Madrid fans have fretted for a long time has finally risen - "I've made the decision to leave".
The concise, yet profound statement from Antoine Griezmann, the club's star striker, defines the official notification with regards to his transfer to Barcelona for $139.5 million.
In this blog post, I would like to summarily talk about the transfer itself and the encompassing opinions with regards to Greizmann's Barcelona move.
The huge value of $139.5 million was placed in the five-year contract extension signed by Griezmann in June 2018. In addition, Griezmann's former club, Real Sociedad, will also receive approximately $28 million from the transfer after planting a 20% sell fee in his contract.
For a long time, the French star has been a target for the 'Dominators' of the La Liga.
Griezmann has long been a target for the La Liga titleholders and, addressing in an online video to speak to his club's fans immediately after discussing with AT Madrid manager Diego Simeone and chief executive Miguel Angel, he announced that he is preparing to wrap up his five-year season with the Spanish squad.
In the video posted on Atletico's social media accounts, the 28-year-old sorrowfully declared, "I wanted to tell you that I've made the decision to leave to experience new things and have new challenges. It's been very hard for me to take this path, but I feel that it's what I need".
"I wanted to thank you for all the love you've given me in these five years, in which I've won my first important trophies with a club. They were incredible moments that I will always remember. The truth is you're in my heart."
He continued by saying, "It isn't easy for a player to receive so much love. That's why I wanted to tell you today so that you're the first to know after the [head] coach and the club.I've given my all on the pitch, I've tried to behave well. Thank you so much, and goodbye."
Click here to check the online video of Griezmann's farewell message.
Griezmann is not only a favorite in Atletico Madrid, yet a legend for the French national men's soccer team. He has won 69 caps for France and scored a neatly tucked penalty in last year's World Cup final triumph over Croatia. The French striker has spent his entire professional career in Spain, beginning with Real Sociedad and proceeding with Atletico Madrid since 2014.
Nonetheless, with Barcelona FC looking to recover after an unpropitious UEFA Champions League semifinal setback against Liverpool FC, Antoine Griezmann potentially could write another consequential episode with his third Spanish unit.
In the perspective of Atletico Madrid, it is going to be another laborious summer of reconstruction. With Captain Diego Godin already proclaiming that he will depart the club at the end of his contract and Juanfran's departure announcement as well, it is imperative for Atletico Madrid to obtain the ideal replacements before next year's season. Alongside the Atletico Madrid veterans, another defender, Lucas Hernandez, has taken the compromise to enter Bayern Munich for $87.8 million.
Own Opinions / Comments:
Barcelona! Seriously??
Although not officially decided, out of all the teams, it had to be Barcelona Football Club! In my viewpoint, it is true that there is a high possibility that Antoine Griezmann will fit well in the Barcelona squad, yet I strongly believe that for the fans it would be a disaster to see Griezmann on the opposition side. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona FC have been longtime competitors and this direct move could create a perpetual scar on the AT Madrid fans. Although there have been alike cases of players joining fierce rivals, like Carlos Tevez (Manchester United to Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea), Michael Owen (Liverpool FC to Manchester United), none of these previous rivalry transfers had ended up in a comfortable way regarding fan reactions.
Especially Carlos Tevez's transfer to Manchester City, fans often talk about disrespect when players take such actions. Furthermore, soccer players are constantly reprimanded that they are moving to another club just for the cash. As a Chelsea fan, this is sort of harsh to state, yet it is genuine to a certain extent that Ashley Cole's transfer to Chelsea was largely salary-based.
In Cole's last year at Arsenal FC, he was enraged as he was only getting a £55,000-a-week contract. The English defender further exposed his frustration in his autobiography that was published in 2006. Cole ultimately entered Stamford Bridge in 2006, on a £90,000-a-week contract, which was an immense sum compared to Arsenal's previous offerings.
Nevertheless, when Chelsea and Arsenal faced each other during a London Derby, the Gunners' advocates distinguished their former favorite as "Cashley" and continually waved pretended £20 bills with Cole's face imprinted on it from the stands.
I feel like it is fair to say that Antoine Greizmann's transfer move to Barcelona could potentially incite severe criticism from the crowd. Is it really a necessity? If he really wants a challenge, why not join another league like the Bundesliga or English Premier League??
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