Rohan Sengupta
Antoine Griezmann clashed with his own fans during Atletico Madrid’s Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Valencia. The fans appeared to be happy when the French international decided to stay put at Atletico amidst Manchester United links back in summer last year.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport also played a major role as they upheld Atletico’s transfer ban at the start of the season, which subsequently made United cool their interest in Griezmann. Despite the player not choosing to leave the Spanish club, the tension between the forward and the supporters reached a new low on Sunday.
The Frenchman was yet again the subject of speculation throughout the recently concluded winter transfer window. The 26-year-old reportedly reached an agreement with La Liga leaders Barcelona that would see him move to Camp Nou in the summer. However, the Catalan giants denied that any such deal was in place.
Griezmann may be contracted to Atletico until 2022, having signed a new deal in June but the uncertainty surrounding his future will only grow after his latest reaction towards the fans.
Having gone 1-0 ahead against Valencia through Angel Correa’s superb 25-yard strike, Griezmann maintained possession in injury-time, only to receive jeers and whistles from the home crowd.
The Atletico fans wanted him to start another counter-attack to double the lead and listening to the jeers, the Frenchman didn’t take too kindly to the reaction.
Griezmann arguing with his own fans while the ball is in play, McKimmie style. pic.twitter.com/IyMGA8auXQ
— Jim Douglas (@Jim__Douglas) February 4, 2018
Griezmann immediately looked up at the fans, kicked the ball away and protested at those jeering him. If that wasn’t enough, he even held a finger up to his lips to tell the crowd to shut up and let him do his job.
This didn’t go down well with the fans, who are annoyed at the forward’s perceived lack of loyalty to the La Liga club.
“The communion between the team and the fans is spectacular. Griezmann made very good decisions through the whole game. He did what he had to do. Logically what the fans want is to win, and they have gone home happy,” Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who defended his star striker told beIN SPORTS (h/t ESPN).
Griezmann was wrong to shush the Atletico fans in the midst of the game despite them jeering him. Players have to keep their calm and act accordingly even if they get taunted by the supporters.
As far as United’s interest in Griezmann is concerned, I think it has died down following the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal last month. Above all, Jose Mourinho has also spoken that the team’s attack is complete and that we will not be eyeing any attacker in the summer.
