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Antoine Griezmann admits Atletico fan backlash was ‘deserved’ after Barcelona transfer
Antoine Griezmann has acknowledged that the abuse he got from Atletico Madrid fans following his move to Barcelona was something he “deserved.”
The French international famously announced his decision to snub a transfer to Barcelona and stay at Atletico after months of speculation in the summer of 2018, however, a year later, the Blaugrana met his whole €120 million (£107 million/$134 million) release clause to wrest him away from Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico fans were incensed by the transfer, but Griezmann ultimately returned to the city in 2021 on a two-year loan after underwhelming at Camp Nou. The deal also included a €40 million (£35 million/$40 million) purchase option that would be activated if he played at least 45 minutes in half of Atletico’s games this season.
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When he first rejoined Diego Simeone’s squad, the home fans booed and whistled at him. Nevertheless, after his move was declared permanent in October, he begged for forgiveness and now says he “earned” the hostile reaction.
“It [the Barcelona transfer] did a lot of damage to the fans. They gave me everything and in the end I left because that’s what I wanted, what I needed. I as a fan would also have been very angry. It’s what I deserved,” Griezmann told Movistar.
“I became very humble and I worked to try to change that. Those who know me know that I need this relationship with the fans, I need their love, your support to perform at the highest level.”
Griezmann has been able to win over the Atletico supporters once more and there is no more animosity between them thanks to his solid on-field performances. In 33 games in all competitions this season, he has been one of their top players with eight goals and 10 assists.
The forward will hope to find the net when Atletico host Sevilla on Saturday in their next La Liga encounter.