Sidney Sladen
Reported Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann has revealed his future plans, amidst heavy speculation about his next possible destination.
As quoted by RMC Sport,
“Who knows how the season will finish. If it finishes badly, maybe I will ask myself the question. For the moment, it is not relevant…Aside from that, I am asking myself where I could go. In Spain, there is Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona have the three up top. Real Madrid, that is impossible because of the club I am at. I think that between them, there is a pact.”
He went on to add, “Germany, the league does not attract me much. France, not for the moment. And England, I have a lot of doubts about my private life. Everything like rain, bad weather… I need to feel happy outside.”
In the past, the 25-year-old had spoken of his desire to play alongside international teammate Paul Pogba at club level.
But he believes La Liga could be best suited to his style.
He added: “I like the teams who bring intensity like in England. Yes, I watch the English league. The referees let the game flow, the stadiums are always full.
“But if I have to choose one league, it is the Spanish league, because it corresponds the best with my game.”
Antoine Griezmann has grown into one of the best players in the world and is widely tipped to win the Ballon d’Or once the extra-terrestrials namely Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo reach the end of their careers.
Griezmann has made tremendous progress since moving to Atletico Madrid in 2014. The Ballon d’Or nominee has so far scored a whopping 73 goals for the Madrid club and is an ever present in their line-up.
He was the top scorer for France in Euro 2016 tournament and was named the best player of the tournament despite his team finishing as runners-up to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal side. His performance that summer was lauded by experts and the footballing world felt bad for Griezmann missing out on a Euro winner’s medal and also a Ballon d’Or. Sadly, he had even lost the Champions League final to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Real Madrid team lifted the trophy. It was also unfortunate that Atletico finished third in the league, 3 points behind champions Barcelona.
It was a brilliant season nevertheless, with Griezmann carrying Atletico Madrid and France on his shoulders.
The remarkable Griezmann has won a lot of individual honours, notably the Onze d’Or French Player of the Year: 2014–15, UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament: 2016, UEFA European Championship Golden Boot: 2016, UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2016, French Player of the Year: 2016, La Liga Best Player: 2016.
He was also included in UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2010, La Liga Team of the Season: 2014–15, UEFA Team of the Year: 2016, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
The fact that Manchester United let go of Memphis Depay could mean that the club are preparing to replace the departed winger with another player. The history of number 7 jersey at United is big and it will be difficult for any player to live up to the billing if they opt for the number.
Antoine Griezmann is a player who certainly can handle the pressure of wearing the number 7 jersey for Manchester United, but his comments suggest he isn’t looking for a move anytime soon.
