Griezmann to decide future before World Cup
Antoine Griezmann is adamant he will not have another summer of uncertainty over his future as his vows to head to the 2018 World Cup in Russia without any “concern” on his mind.
The Frenchman endured a seesaw summer last year as he U-turned on his decision to leave Atletico Madrid for Manchester United, calling Jose Mourinho to explain why he decided against the move in the end.
However, rumblings that he will leave at the end of this season have begun again with Barcelona the likely destination rather than Old Trafford, with the signing of Alexis Sanchez seemingly filling the void
Griezmann was imagined for.
If a transfer is to materialise this time though it will have to be prior to the Russian showpiece event in June and July as the Frenchman wants nothing to distract him as he bids to win the World Cup.
“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 [prior to the World Cup starting]. What bothers me the most is that everyone asks me about this issue.”
Griezmann has been a losing finalist in the Champions League (twice) and the Euros (where he top scored) and insisted that he focuses on team trophies as the individual ones will follow those and not the other way around.
“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.”