Antoine Griezmann has made a public apology to Atletico Madrid supporters for his controversial transfer to Barcelona, calling the decision a "mistake" and expressing regret over the way the move unfolded. The France international left the Rojiblancos for the Catalan giants in the summer of 2019 after years of speculation, a complicated saga that included a decision to stay at Atletico in the documentary 'La Decision' — followed, a year later, by the departure he had previously promised would not happen. The wound ran deep with Atletico fans, and Griezmann's words this week appear to be a genuine attempt to close that chapter for good.
What Griezmann Said
In comments that have circulated widely, Griezmann described his time at Barcelona as a period that did not go as he had hoped and acknowledged that leaving Atletico was the wrong call. He did not dress it up. He called it a mistake, accepted responsibility, and directed his apology to the Atletico faithful directly. For a fanbase that had idolised him during some of the most successful years in the club's recent history — including Champions League final appearances and a Europa League triumph — those words carry real weight. Griezmann returned to the Wanda Metropolitano on loan from Barcelona in 2021 before his move became permanent two years later, but the full-throated apology had not come until now.
Why Barcelona Did Not Work
Griezmann's spell at the Camp Nou was underwhelming for a player of his calibre. He was rarely deployed in the positions where he is most dangerous, struggled to build the same connection with teammates that he had at Atletico, and found himself in a squad undergoing major transformation following the financial difficulties that would eventually reshape the club's entire identity. He scored goals but never looked truly at home. The contrast with his Atletico record — 133 goals in 257 appearances, including a Europa League Golden Boot — made the comparison painfully clear. In hindsight, the move was always likely to disappoint, and Griezmann has now said so publicly.
Griezmann's Status at Atletico Now
Since returning to Atletico, the 34-year-old has recaptured something of the form that made him one of the world's best players in the mid-2010s. Diego Simeone has used him intelligently, and Griezmann has responded with contributions that remind supporters of why they fell in love with him in the first place. He has been a regular starter in La Liga and in European competition, and his relationship with the club appears fully repaired at an on-pitch level. The public apology suggests the emotional reconciliation is now complete too. For Atletico's long-suffering but passionately loyal fanbase, hearing those words from the player himself will mean a great deal.
Context: Antoine Griezmann, 34, rejoined Atletico Madrid permanently in 2023 after his loan from Barcelona. He scored 133 goals in 257 appearances for Atletico before leaving in 2019. His Barcelona transfer fee was £107m.
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