Simeone 'grateful' for Griezmann's service as forward leaves Atleti

Diego Simeone spoke to the media on Friday for the first time since Antoine Griezmann's decision to leave Atletico Madrid this summer was made public. 

Griezmann will leave Atletico at the end of the season after five years at the club and Simeone is grateful for all he has given the Rojiblanco. 

"First of all, I am grateful," Simeone said. "To the footballer. To the player. For these five years. I only have grateful words for the level he has given us. As a person, I love him a lot. I have a great relationship with his family. I learned in life that from my position I can't judge decisions. You (the media) have the job to offer your opinion and it's normal that people will give theirs. 

"You have to give everything without expecting anything. When someone gives everything like we have with Antoine, we're relaxed. In terms of the sporting side of things, we're going to speak about the player Antoine is. He arrived in one way and now he's taking a step to a new place. We've all participated in that growth. Him, us. Five wonderrful years, one of the club's top goalscorers. I say thanks and I don't judge."