After such an exhilarating summer with France, it’s been a difficult season for Antoine Griezmann.
The Atletico Madrid star suffered double heartache in the finals of the Champions League and Euro 2016 and has himself gone off the boil at points this term.
With Atleti sixth in La Liga, all isn’t well at the Vicente Calderon. Thoughts are already turning to a replacement for Diego Simeone, with the Argentinian manager cutting his contract at the club short.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround the future of star man Griezmann.
The 25-year-old has been forced to reiterate his desire to stay in the Spanish capital, which will come as a disappointment to Manchester United, Chelsea, and a number of clubs in the MLS.
Griezmann evidently isn’t happy at the speculation, telling AS he wants to be treated in the same league as fellow La Liga superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Gareth Bale.
“I’m very happy at Atletico, I’m very proud to play for these fans, with these players and with this coach,” he said.
“I want to try and pay back the confidence and care that the people at Atletico have always shown me.
“I don’t like this question, don’t hit me with these questions about my future because for players like Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Leo] Messi or [Gareth] Bale, nobody asks them what is going to happen next year or where they are going to play.
“That’s why I don’t like it when they ask me, either.
“I’m happy and enjoying myself at Atletico, don’t ask me about my future anymore.”
Griezmann finished 2016 by finishing third in the Ballon d’Or nominations behind Ronaldo and Messi, so it’s not entirely unreasonable that he expects the same treatment as the pair.
Until he officially commits to Atletico, however, rumours are going to continue.
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