Antoine Griezmann played what is expected to be his final match for Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano on Sunday evening, receiving a moving send-off from supporters and publicly apologizing once more for his controversial transfer to Barcelona in 2019. The France international addressed the fans after the match, expressing regret for leaving the club and acknowledging the hurt his departure caused.
“I know that many of you have forgiven me, but I tell you again: I am sorry,” Griezmann said, according to reports from MARCA. “I didn’t realize all the affection I had here. I was very young. I made a mistake, I thought about it, and we did everything to come back here.” The move to Barcelona ultimately did not pan out as hoped for Griezmann, and he returned to Atlético in 2021 on an initial loan deal that was later made permanent.
Atlético manager Diego Simeone also spoke of his forgiveness and admiration for the player, stating that Griezmann’s return was a “moment of joy” and that the club had welcomed back a “genuine genius of football.” Simeone highlighted Griezmann’s humility in returning to the club and rebuilding his relationship with the supporters. He expressed hope that Griezmann would be remembered as a noble, human, and responsible player who always served Atlético.
Throughout his two spells with the Madrid club, Griezmann has become a club legend, scoring 212 goals and providing 92 assists in exactly 500 appearances. His contributions have been instrumental in Atlético’s success over the past decade, establishing him as one of the club’s all-time leading goalscorers. The emotional farewell suggests a definitive end to his time with the club, though no immediate transfer has been announced.
The apology and farewell speech signal a closing of a difficult chapter in Griezmann’s career, allowing him and the Atlético faithful to move forward. While his future remains uncertain, his legacy at the club is secure, and his impact will be long remembered.
