Griezmann: «It’s an honour and a source of pride to play for Simeone» | OneFootball

Griezmann, after an incredible start to the press conference with Simeone’s words, spoke about the first leg of the Barcelona – Atlético Champions League tie.

HIS FUTURE IN ORLANDO

“Obviously, at first in September it was a bit more difficult to handle. With the dressing room we have, with my family at home, we kept working, looking for what Cholo needed, and I understood it. I’ve tried to do it as well as possible. And talking about Orlando is not the right time. Tomorrow we have the quarter-finals, which for me is something incredible. A lot of quality, a lot of football. My mind is very clear and I want to help as much as I can.”

THE BEST IS STILL TO COME

“I always think about the team, and I believe the best is still to come. For me, to be at peace, so there are no doubts or questions. For the sky to be clear, it was the best time to say it. To move on to something else, and that is La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa. I’m very focused on that, and hopefully I can deliver the level everyone expects from me on the pitch.”

RESPONSE TO SIMEONE’S WORDS

“To open my heart, I need to be with my children and my wife, with Cholo and his family. That way I’ll truly be able to open up. I owe him so much. I’ve reached a footballing level I never imagined, and that’s thanks to Real Sociedad and then Cholo. Through his work, he’s made me see many things, they’ve taught me a lot… Then there’s the personal side: I admire him, I love him, and it’s an honor and a privilege to be able to play for Simeone.”

MENTAL STATE

“Last year, March hurt me a lot. I had very high expectations and I didn’t know how to turn it around mentally. And instead of focusing on improving and finding another way to perform, I couldn’t do it. This year I’ve learned, and I’m still learning at 35 years old. I’m ready for anything, whatever is needed, and I feel very good mentally, and that helps me a lot on the pitch.”

MANAGING THE EMOTION AMID SO MANY FAREWELLS

“Today came as a surprise, not just to you, but to me too. The best farewell I want is my performance on the pitch and the effort I’m going to give in every match. That’s the image I want to leave, what I’ve always been: hard work and, from time to time, a goal. I want to enjoy it and be remembered that way.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS AGAINST BARCELONA

“Excitement, huge desire, I feel like my son when he has a match on Saturday, when he wakes up at six in the morning and the game is at eleven. And he spends the whole morning ready for the match. That’s how I feel, I want to enjoy it. They’re going to be two very beautiful matches. Tomorrow’s game has to be worked well, we have to be solid and be a strong team.”

A HASTY GOODBYE? WHY NOW?

“I think it’s about timing. That’s how I felt, that’s how I feel, and as I said, I can’t talk about what’s coming and why I did it. I’m thinking about tomorrow and the match we have, which is a very beautiful one.”

HOW DO YOU SPEAK TO YOUR TEAMMATES?

“I think in the end you can talk about it, but they remember the image, what you show on the pitch, and it has to be done with complete normality. Not play the match beforehand. On the pitch, be an example, run, press, and that’s the best example. The gestures, the actions, that’s how it shows. This morning in training, the intensity was there, and you can tell we’re in good shape and fully locked in.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.