“A magnificent story of redemption”… How Antoine Griezmann became an Atlético Madrid idol again

On a cloud since the fall of 2022, the Frenchman became, on Tuesday, the co-top scorer in the history of Atlético de Madrid.

The event was long overdue, but there was no longer any doubt. On Tuesday, December 19, Antoine Griezmann equaled the record for goals scored by a player in the colors of Atlético de Madrid, established by Luis Aragones. His 172nd and 173rd goals were scored in La Liga against Getafe in an explosive Metropolitano stadium on the second goal. A penalty certainly, but one that will be remembered. The realization also of the usual realism of the Colchoneros, who played (and scored all their goals) numerically inferior, from the 38th minute to the final whistle, leading 3-1 before being caught (3-3).

If everything did not succeed at Atlético on Tuesday, Griezmann does not know the crisis. For a little over a year, he has shined in everything he does. “I’m unplayable”he himself had fun in front of the journalists of The Team after his team’s walk against Celtic in the Champions League (6-0 and a double for him), on November 7. Five days later, “Grizou” did it again by unlocking the Colchoneros’ victory against Villarreal with a goal and an assist. Yet another coup which convinced the Spanish journalist David Vinuesa Malbac to write that Antoine Griezmann was “currently the best player in the world”.

“No one is more complete than him. There are great strikers like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, great midfielders and great defenders, but there is no other player like him. He attacks well, defends well, balances the team, plays, creates chances. He can play up front, as a false number 9, but also in the heart of the game. He runs, knows how to head well, he wins fouls, he is important on corners . He has a wonderful playing intelligence and a contagious maturity.”ignites the one who covers Atlético de Madrid news for Libertad Digital.

2022 as a resurrection

In Madrid, Griezmann’s popularity is at its peak. “He is the player that all children want to become, the one who sells the most jerseys, is the most present on social networks and best represents Atlético on a global level”, supports David Vinuesa Malbac. He is, alongside Koke and Jan Oblak, one of the most obvious symbols of the Diego Simeone era, the most successful of the Madrid club on the European scene (two Champions League finals, three Europa League coronations). ). However, unlike his two teammates, he cannot boast of having always kept an immaculate reputation.

The Frenchman’s level of performance is such that we sometimes forget that he was still considered a traitor by Atlético de Madrid supporters two years ago. When he returned in the summer of 2021, the anger linked to his departure for rival Barcelona two seasons earlier had not yet dissipated because of “his documentary (“La Decision”) and his way of never clarifying his future by letting rumors flourish or seeing him tell his brother that he loves Manchester and Barcelona”.

After a rather disappointing first season on loan (12 goals, 9 assists in 49 games), even below his standards at Barça, where his time was widely considered a failure, Antoine Griezmann experienced a rebirth in the fall 2022. Everything was unlocked when Atlético negotiated and then exercised its purchase option, after the start of the season spent playing as a substitute (he could not play more than 30 minutes per match under penalty of seeing his club be forced to pay a high price). Released, “Grizou” showed himself dazzlingly with the French team at the World Cup before continuing his momentum at club level, completing the 2022-2023 financial year as the most decisive player in La Liga (31 times – 15 goals, 16 assists), ahead of Robert Lewandowski (30).

“He recognized his mistake. The supporters forgave him for his work, his quality on the pitch, his words and his humilitydescribes David Vinuesa Malbac. It’s a beautiful story of redemption.” For his colleague Javi Gomara, follower of the Colchoneros for Mundo Deportivo, “Antoine Griezmann worked in silence and is loved even more than when he left four years ago.”

“Darling” and king of forgiveness

Antoine Griezmann is 32 years old, but still doesn’t do it, whether in his appearance or on the pitch. The years go by and it is still difficult not to give him the good Lord without confession. To the point that his road trips end up being considered mischievous. Going from traitor to idol is a feat within the reach of few people in a world as tumultuous as that of football. Redeeming yourself twice in the same career is another.

Before he became Didier Deschamps’ irremovable key man (he did not miss any of the Blues’ last 84 matches) and the best decisive passer in the history of the France team (29), many forgot that the native of Mâcon had been suspended from the selection even before celebrating his first cap. He was actually one of the five players who took part in the famous Espoirs nightclub outing in October 2012, alongside Yann M’Vila, Wissam Ben Yedder, Mbaye Niang and Chris Mavinga. It was only after serving a year of banishment that he was able to make his debut with the Blues, in March 2014.

A youthful mistake quickly eliminated by its yield and its investment in the meadow. “You’re still a bit of my favorite, Antoine.”, Didier Deschamps addressed him, laughing in front of the Téléfoot camera at the beginning of November. And the Blues coach is not the only one to proclaim his love for the 3rd in the 2018 Ballon d’Or. Renowned for being severe and temperamental, Diego Simeone, his coach since his debut at Atlético, never stops training him praises. As if his face brightened at the mention of the name Antoine Griezmann. Tuesday evening, it was towards him that the Frenchman headed directly to celebrate his 173rd goal.

“He is an extraordinary player, different. He has something special. He is a player who works, who likes to understand what is expected of him (…). There is no doubt that he will stay as one of the best players in the club’s history.”, told “El Cholo” to Cadena Ser last month. From there to deserve his bronze statue in front of the stadium, like another legend of French football? Because after eight years spent in this leading foreign club that is Atlético, and having become its top scorer, Antoine Griezmann now has a few things in common with Thierry Henry at Arsenal (370 matches and 226 goals from 1999 to 2007, then in 2012). “I don’t think the two are comparable, tempers Javi Gomara. I don’t think he will be entitled to his statue… Unless he helps Atlético win its first Champions League.”