“It’s a huge performance,” greets his former coach Philippe Montanier

“Being the top scorer over the last 120 years is still a huge achievement” greeted, Thursday January 11 on franceinfo, Philippe Montanier, former coach of Real Sociedad between 2011 and 2013. Antoine Griezmann became, on Wednesday, the top scorer in the history of Atlético de Madrid with 174 goals. This record did not prevent his team’s defeat in the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday against Real Madrid (5-3).

Philippe Montanier was the Frenchman’s coach in his early days at Real Sociedad in the 2010s. “He is certainly the most complete player in the world because he is able to play in different positions. He can be in attack, can be in defense. He is extremely generous. He knows how to do everything. For a coach, he “It’s a treat to have such a player”, he said. He also praises his sense of collectiveness: “He truly is a model teammate. He often puts himself at the service of the team.”

A strong-willed temperament who “likes to work a lot”

Antoine Griezmann has an emotional connection with Spain, “arrived at Real Sociedad, in San Sebastián, at 14-15 years old”, he did it “all his training”. “He spent more time in Spain than in France,” he pointed out. The only false note on the board is his difficult time at Barcelona in Catalonia. “He was unlucky. He came at the wrong time in Barcelona because nothing was going well, either for him or for the others,” he continued.

Philippe Montanier appreciates his voluntary temperament which “likes to work a lot”. “I once asked him to play left back during a match. He did it admirably,” he added. And repeat it at will: Antoine Griezmann is a “treat” for a coach.