After completing his European Championship duties, Griezmann officially returned to Atlético Madrid’s pre-season training camp this week. July 31 marked the tenth anniversary of Griezmann’s arrival at Atlético Madrid. AS published an article reflecting on the French striker’s ten years at the club and anticipates his leadership role in leading the Rojiblancos to new heights in the upcoming season.
Griezmann arrived as Atlético’s marquee signing in the summer transfer window of 2014, amidst the joy of their first double triumph in eighteen years and the departure of key players like Filipe Luis, Diego Costa, David Villa, and Thibaut Courtois. He joined the team as both a goalscorer and a leader.
Already a significant player at Real Sociedad, Griezmann blossomed into a star under Simeone, becoming one of the best players in the world. After a decade, he has surpassed the legendary Luis Aragonés to become the club’s all-time leading scorer with 181 goals, eight more than Aragonés’s 173. Now, Griezmann is expected to lead again, and the team’s soul, the versatile footballer, has returned to training, but his physical condition remains a question mark.
Next March, Griezmann will turn 34, but age is not the primary concern. All eyes are on his ankle. After twisting it in the Champions League Round of 16 against Inter Milan in February, Griezmann had to wear a large ice pack on his ankle after each game. From that point until the end of the season, the Frenchman only played the full 90 minutes in seven of the last 12 matches. The ankle injury even impacted his performance at the European Championships. For the first time in a decade, Griezmann wasn’t France’s best player in a major tournament, losing his starting spot in the semi-final against Spain and becoming a substitute for the first time in a decade. This unfamiliar and unsettling experience left its mark.
Griezmann has returned to his club, and Simeone has planned a specific pre-season for him, aiming to bring him up to speed with his teammates who have been training for three weeks before allowing him to rejoin full team training. Objectively, Griezmann’s ninth season at Atlético will be determined by two factors: his age, whether he can continue to handle high-intensity matches after a rare injury for him, and his position on the field. He’s no longer primarily a goalscorer, having transitioned into more of a playmaker role. Health remains the key word for Griezmann in the new season, and Simeone and Atlético need to find their best Griezmann this summer.
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