French soccer player, Antoine Griezmann, finally went to the rival team Barcelona (Image via: TalkSport)

Antoine Griezmann’s Shocking Move to Barcelona

MADRID - This transfer is announced through Atletico Madrid’s Twitter account within 2 minutes video. The French star and the World Cup champion, Antoine Griezmann, 28, finally decided to walk out from Wanda Metropolitano stadium after the team agreed to sell the player to its another La Liga rival Barcelona.

Despite the five years of extension contract with “Los Rojiblancos” – a nickname for Atletico Madrid - until 2023, the move came out as a shock as the French seems to long for “new challenge and experience”. For him, this motive only suits him to wear the red and blue stripes in Camp Nou. 

Griezmann claimed that the first people to know regarding the transfer were the manager Diego Simeone, Miguel Angel, and the Atletico Fans. Since they distributed the video on Twitter, let’s assume the world already knew.

With release clause of US$ 224 million, Atletico released Griezmann to his new home in Barcelona. Antoine Griezmann was previously bought from Real Sociedad for €30 million, after watching his marvelous appearance with the team. Together with Atletico Madrid for 5 years, Antoine Griezmann has played on the pitch for 179 appearances and hit the net 94 times, and won UEFA Europa League last season 2017-18.

The fans' opinion were divided. Some are supportive and some are contrary to the decision. All the constructive motivations flowed into the Atletico Madrid’s tweet, bidding Griezmann all the luck he requires.

Meanwhile, some fans are cynical about how Griezmann decided to leave the club that has made him as he is now. Exactly about a year ago, Griezmann released a documentary video called “La Decision” (or “The Decision), telling how he loved and how loyal will he be to Atletico Madrid. The fans referred to Griezmann as a “comedy” documentary, since at the end, he left Atletico to the embrace of the arch-nemesis.

Currently, Atletico Madrid sits on the 2nd position in La Liga standing, second best to Barcelona and running in front of their rival Real Madrid. It is certain that Atletico Madrid has secured a place in UEFA Champions League for 2019-2020 season.

So, what kind of challenge does Griezmann wants? Only he and God know.

Source: https://sputniknews.com/sport/201905151075016278-antoine-griezmann-to-leave-atletico-madrid/