Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has revealed how he reacted to Atletico winning the league title in 2021 while he was playing for Barcelona, ahead of their match against the Catalan club in the 29th round of Spain's La Liga.
"It was very difficult because Barcelona were also close to winning the league at the time. The home defeat against Granada really weighed on us mentally. At the same time, of course, I was happy because Atletico deserved it. I was especially happy for Koke and Diego Simeone, who mean a lot to me. Koke is one of my best friends. I was proud of him when I saw him with the trophy," Griezmann said.
Griezmann first joined Atletico Madrid in 2014 from Real Sociedad and spent five years with the Madrid club. After that, the Frenchman spent two seasons at Barcelona before returning to Atletico in 2021.
Despite playing for Barcelona at the time, Griezmann's words suggest he still had a strong emotional connection to his former club, Atletico Madrid. The forward's admiration for Koke and Diego Simeone, two key figures at the club, underlines the deep connection he has with Los Rojiblancos.
Griezmann's take on Atletico Madrid's 2021 title win reflects the complex dynamics of professional football, where players can have close ties to multiple clubs throughout their careers. The Frenchman's ability to put aside personal rivalries and appreciate the success of his former teammates and coaches is a testament to his maturity and character.
