Atletico Madrid’s manager, Diego Simeone, has praised Antoine Griezmann for his unwavering commitment to both the French national team and the club. Speaking on Tuesday, Simeone emphasized that Griezmann’s recent retirement from international football, after an illustrious decade with Les Bleus, could lead to even better performances at Atletico. The 33-year-old forward, a key figure in France’s 2018 World Cup victory and their runner-up finish in 2022, made the decision to step away from the national squad last month.
Griezmann’s influence on the French team cannot be overstated. For years, he was a vital player in their lineup, contributing significantly to their success. Despite this, the captaincy of the national team was handed to Kylian Mbappé, a decision that drew some controversy. This came to a head recently when Mbappé, opting not to participate in an international break, was booed by fans following Real Madrid’s shocking 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League.
With his international career behind him, Griezmann is now focused solely on Atletico Madrid, who are preparing to face Lille in the Champions League. The Spanish side is coming off a difficult European campaign so far, having been defeated 4-0 by Benfica in their previous outing, although they managed a narrow 2-1 victory over RB Leipzig in their opener. Simeone is confident that Griezmann’s lack of international commitments will allow him to focus entirely on club football, potentially reducing the physical toll on his body and enhancing his contributions on the pitch.
“Antoine has given everything for France, his energy, his creativity, and his leadership. His performances for his country have been exceptional, and he has left behind a legacy that few can match. Now, without the added burden of international fixtures, we believe he will be able to give even more to Atletico,” Simeone stated during a pre-match press conference.
Despite some challenges in front of goal, with just two goals scored in their last two Champions League matches, Atletico’s attacking options have been strengthened by the arrivals of Alexander Sørloth, Julian Alvarez, and Conor Gallagher during the summer transfer window. Julian Alvarez, in particular, has been slowly finding his feet since joining from Manchester City, with Simeone highlighting his steady improvement. The Argentine forward has netted three goals in 12 appearances, and Simeone believes his impact will only grow as he adapts further to his new surroundings.
“Julian is getting more comfortable with each passing day. He’s becoming accustomed to the team’s style and adjusting to life in Madrid. His natural talent is starting to shine through, and I’m confident he’ll play a pivotal role for us moving forward,” Simeone said, expressing optimism about the young striker’s potential.
However, Atletico Madrid’s squad is currently dealing with a few notable absences. Robin Le Normand, who sustained a traumatic brain injury during the recent Madrid derby, remains sidelined. Additionally, the team will be without midfielders Marcos Llorente and Pablo Barrios, along with defender Clement Lenglet, for their upcoming matches. These injuries will present a challenge as Atletico looks to navigate both domestic and European competitions.
Further complicating matters, Atletico Madrid is also facing off-the-field difficulties, as the club has been hit with sanctions from UEFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). As a result, Atletico has decided not to sell tickets to some of their supporters for the next five away games in all competitions, including high-profile Champions League fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Sparta Prague. These sanctions add an extra layer of complexity to the club’s campaign, both in Europe and domestically.
Despite these challenges, Simeone remains optimistic about the team’s prospects, focusing on the depth of talent at his disposal and the added experience brought by new signings. As Atletico Madrid continues to fight on multiple fronts, Griezmann’s renewed focus on club football could prove pivotal in their quest for success this season.
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