Sports

Antoine Griezmann tells Atletico Madrid he is leaving the club

by Archit-Jain
May 16, 2019 15:00

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last years fifa world cup winner and voted as the third best in the world in the ballon d'or trophy antoine griezmann has told his current football club atletico madrid that he will be staying in the club for the sixth season. he is looking to join the rivarl spanish club fc barcelona.

He said in a video released by the Spanish club that he wants to “see different things, face other challenges.”

“It wasn’t easy to make this decision, but it’s what I feel and what I need,” the 28-year-old Griezmann said. “I want to thank everyone for their support during these five years with the club where I’ve won my first important trophies. I’ve enjoyed some incredible moments and I’ll never forget them.”

Griezmann joined from Real Sociedad in 2014 and helped Atletico win last year’s Europa League title, along with one Spanish Super Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. “I’ve truly enjoyed my time with the club,” he said. “I’ve always left everything on the pitch, always tried to make fans happy.”

Griezmann, who scored 133 goals in more than 250 matches with Atletico, did not give any hints about his future but he has been widely linked with a move to Barcelona, with some Spanish media saying he has already reached a deal with the Catalan club.

Griezmann had a contract with Atletico until 2023 with a reported buyout clause of 200 million euros ($224 million), but the clause will be automatically reduced to about 120 million euros ($134 million) this summer.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone, who recently said he didn’t think Griezmann would leave, is also losing captain Diego Godin for next season. The Uruguay defender said he was not able to reach a deal to extend his contract with the club.

Atletico’s final match of the season is Sunday at Levante. It finished second to Barcelona in the Spanish league for a second straight season.