Athletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has finally opened up on his failed Manchester United and Barcelona move saying that the reason he decided against it was the ‘respect’ he harboured for coach Diego Simeone.
The Frenchman nearly completed a move to Manchester United back in 2017 but it fell through in the last minutes after Atletico were slapped with a transfer ban.
Aware that his transfer would have crippled Diego Simeone’s charges-not allowed to sign a replacement, Griezmann decided to stay put.
He also came close to joining Atletico’s La Liga rivals Barcelona this summer but announced his change of heart days before the 2018 world cup kicked off.
Griezmann spoke after his team’s after a UEFA Super Cup 4-2 win over Real Madrid.
He added the win vindicated his decision to reject Barcelona and remain with Diego Simeone’s charges.
“I stayed because there is a big project.
“I have confidence in this club and in Diego Simeone. I wasn’t wrong, we’ve done a lot of work and put in huge amount of effort, the substitutes
made the difference.”
Simeone has tipped him to win the 2018 Ballon d’Or saying the France world cup win and Atletico’s Super Cup victory puts him in a good position
