Griezmann sets deadline on club future
Antoine Griezmann wants his future resolved before he travels with France to this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid this summer, and La Liga rivals Barcelona are reportedly favourites to secure his services.
Reports in Spain claim Atleti will offer Griezmann a bumper new contract in a last-ditch attempt to keep him at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Regardless of whether he stays or goes, Griezmann is keen to have his future decided to ensure he arrives in Russia with “peace of mind.”
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Antoine Griezmann’s four-goal against Leganes
“I want to travel to Russia without this concern,” he told L’Equipe. “It’s not about knowing where I’ll play, but about having the peace of mind if I’m still in one place or another.
“It may be boring, but I have told my sister that, whether I stay or not, this will have to be resolved beforehand. What bothers me the most is that everyone asks me about this issue.”
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Talk then turned haul from Griezmann’s future to his career aspirations, both on an individual and collective level.
Griezmann came third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the 2016 Ballon d’Or but he insists he is focused on winning trophies with his club, and then individual recognition will follow.
“When I’m happy, everything’s fine,” he added. “I want to win a World Cup or the Champions League, then the Ballon d’Or will come, if it has to come.
“I am part of a group and I prefer to win a collective title than an individual one. For example, the trophy to the best scorer of the European Championships - I would have preferred to win the competition.”