Diego Simeone sent a special message to Antoine Griezmann at his press conference on Tuesday, telling the outgoing Atletico Madrid forward: “I love you.”
Griezmann will end his second stint at Atletico, which has spanned a total of 10 seasons, at the end of this campaign ahead of his transfer to MLS side Orlando City.
The two held a joint press conference ahead of the first leg of Atletico’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, but before fielding any questions on the match, Simeone expressed his admiration and gratitude for the 35-year-old France international.
“Before we answer anything, let me send Antoine a message from my position as Atletico coach but also as a fan,” Simeone began by saying. “It’s a pleasure to be sitting next to him.
“Antoine, I want to thank you for all your work and how humble you are. You are an admirable role model for all the kids in a society that needs people like you.
“Thanks for everything you gave and will still give us, because I will make you work hard. Thank you for your behaviour, knowing how to differentiate the relationship we have, being your manager but also your friend.
“There are eight La Liga games left, one Copa del Rey game left and, if God wants to, five more games in the Champions League.
“I love you, as every single fan of this club does. But you know that if you don’t run your socks off tomorrow, I’ll take you out!”
When asked if Griezmann was one of the best players he had coached, Simeone joked he “did not want others to get jealous” but spoke of the Frenchman’s capacity to convert from a winger into making an impact from a central role.
“He struggled for three months to understand where he was and we started talking about him having the skillset to play inside. His mental capacities are outrageous, as well as his physicality. I think he is one of the best I’ve had for sure.”
When Griezmann was asked on his future, he replied: “I don’t want to speak about Orlando now, it’s not the right time. We have a Champions League quarter-final tomorrow. I am only focused on this.
“I always think about the team and I think the best to do in that matter, to not cast any doubts, was to announce my intentions for the future. So now we can focus on La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey. I hope to deliver.”
On his relationship with Simeone, Griezmann said: “I owe Simeone a lot. He brought me to a level I could never imagine.
“This is thanks to Real Sociedad first, but to Cholo too. He has taught me so many things, and he is a professional who I admire a lot. It is a pleasure to work for him.”
The all-time leading scorer for Atletico with more than 200 goals, Griezmann would immediately become one of the most accomplished and capable forwards in MLS.
Griezmann started his career at Real Sociedad, where he scored 52 goals across five seasons before joining Atletico in 2014. After 133 goals across five seasons, scoring a minimum of 20 goals per campaign, he spent two seasons at Barca before returning to Diego Simeone’s side in 2021, initially on loan.
Griezmann has never won a major league title with either club, but won the Europa League, Supercopa de Espana and European Super Cup with Atleti, alongside a Copa del Rey crown with Barca.