{"id":4809,"date":"2017-06-07T03:30:54","date_gmt":"2017-06-07T07:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=4809"},"modified":"2020-12-21T19:20:11","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T00:20:11","slug":"antoine-griezmann-decision-atletico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2017\/06\/07\/antoine-griezmann-decision-atletico\/","title":{"rendered":"Antoine Griezmann’s Difficult Decision With Atletico Madrid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Life and football can often follow similar paths, with major decisions laying the foundation for success and failure. In the case of French forward Antoine Griezmann, his choice to remain with Atletico Madrid this summer may have a massive impact across Europe.<\/p>\n

Griezmann recently announced that he will be staying in the Spanish capital<\/a>, acknowledging that the speculation around his future was becoming \u201cirritating\u201d.<\/p>\n

Antoine Griezmann\u2019s Difficult Decision With Atletico Madrid<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The options were everywhere for the talented striker in the upcoming transfer period, and many signs appeared from the player himself that he would be leaving Atletico. Playing with close friend Paul Pogba at Manchester United or joining Arsene Wenger\u2019s line-up at the Emirates all seemed to be real possibilities for Griezmann in the near future.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, he has chosen to stay. Los Rojiblancos will certainly be pleased, and the world around Griezmann is bound to change and evolve due to this decision as well.<\/p>\n

A unique challenge in La Liga<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most talented clubs in Europe, Atletico Madrid have shown that they can compete with the world\u2019s best during the past few seasons. But years of punching above their weight against Spain\u2019s giants can make for frustrating finishes in various campaigns.<\/p>\n

Their well-known city rivals, Real Madrid, captured their second consecutive UEFA Champions League crown<\/a> and their 33rd La Liga title<\/a>. In each of the past two Champions League campaigns, Atletico have been defeated by Los Blancos en route to their triumph.<\/p>\n

Barcelona, with arguably the greatest front-line in football, present a difficult task in every match and won this past season\u2019s Copa del Rey. Amidst these two tremendous sides, Los Colchoneros find consistent success to be elusive. A league title in 2013-14 aside, Antoine Griezmann will be a part of changing the look of Spain\u2019s top flight.<\/p>\n

The transfer ban<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the motivating elements for Griezmann\u2019s decision comes from Atletico\u2019s transfer ban, upheld in an appeal trail by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)<\/a>. The club will be unable to sign any players both internationally and domestically during the summer window.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, strikers such as Alexandre Lacazette and Diego Costa that Atletico planned on pursuing after the sale of Griezmann are simply out of the question. Griezmann recognised this, and acted accordingly for a club to which he is still loyal in some respects.<\/p>\n

With their star forward still in the line-up, Atletico Madrid\u2019s transfer ban now is not quite as damaging.<\/p>\n

The future ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Antoine Griezmann still has a fantastic career ahead of him, as the 26-year-old\u2019s pace and skill on the ball have been a key part of manager Diego Simeone\u2019s side at the Vicente Calderon. With so many big clubs interested in his services, the next transfer windows could see him move on.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Gg0ieDMKAFI<\/p>\n

In a recent statement, Griezmann clearly left the door open to his potential departure. \u201cThere is another beautiful season to be had.\u201d With this statement in mind, the 2017-18 term could be his final campaign with Atletico.<\/p>\n

With talent that can completely alter a team\u2019s attack, Antoine Griezmann has been outstanding during the past few years. Now with his decision set for the coming season at Atletico Madrid, he will have another chance at glory with a unique setting and a unique football world around him.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n