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Antoine Griezmann appeared in the press room of the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with ruffled hair. He started smiling, and ended up somewhat overwhelmed to see that the word shifts of the journalists were happening. The former Atlético footballer, who will premiere at Camp Nou with Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday in the duel against Inter, however, did not go to the media desk to whistle and look at the ceiling. He tried to be honest in all his answers. Even in which he referred to his personal relationship with the franchise player of Barcelona.

«Messi is not someone who speaks a lot, and neither do I. So it is not easy for us to talk too much, ”admitted Griezmann, although just then, perhaps remembering the embrace in which both players were cast in the match against Villarreal, sweetened the speech. «I have already primed some mate and we are in the right direction. He has also been injured ... It's complicated. We are good people and I am here to help anyone on the team ».

Griezmann knows that earning Messi's blessing is an essential factor if he intends to succeed in his new stage. The French understands that the address is appropriate. In the match against Villarreal, after the Argentine gave him his first goal assist, Griezmann went to hug La Pulga. And he tried to stay in his arms as much as he could. Gestures are worth gold. Griezmann's approach to Luis Suarez, again with mate as an excuse, should help to grease a relationship that had an Arctic beginning.

A little over a year ago, Messi had no problem in publicly demanding the hiring of the French striker. The rest of the story they already know. Griezmann said "no" to Barça through a documentary produced by Piqué. Luis Suarez, before the duel of quarters of the World Cup in Russia that faced France, said that "Griezmann does not know what the Uruguayan sentiment is." Last May, when the then rojiblanco striker had already agreed to his signing for Barcelona, ​​Messi was asked about the Frenchman. And he changed his face. "I don't speak of Griezmann." Nor did the 45 million euro bridge loan that Barcelona had to ask for to pay the soccer player's clause, which would also take the place in the team of the desired Neymar, did too much grace in the locker room.

Griezmann, in any case, seems willing to apply whatever it takes. Although it is acting in the left band, position that limits its radius of action and for which it was also questioned. "Good question," the Frenchman ironically, who then threw diplomacy: "I just arrived." I can't do anything either. There is a coach and a tactic ».

Griezmann should be more concerned with one of Ernesto Valverde's obsessions since he arrived, which is more at stake. Their numbers away from home (zero goals, zero assists, 0.2 shots on average and 39.2 interventions per game) contrast with the records at Camp Nou (three goals, two assists, 2.3 shots on goal average and 69 interventions per game). "I still need to improve," he assumed.

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  • sports
  • football
  • Champions League
  • FC Barcelona
  • Antoine Griezmann
  • Leo Messi

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