Antoine Griezmann: The little prince of the new era
The French forward has hit form and is now looking like the player Barca bought
For some it started with the Valdano interview. For others it’s a consequence of the improving team. Like with most things, it’s a bit of both. Antoine Griezmann had his best game against Granada at Los Carmenes. The ‘Little Prince’ has been fighting against the wind since he got here and now, with Koeman’s confidence and the team around him, he feels important again. The world champions has recovered his self-esteem and feels capable of anything. His body language shows it. What were looks to the floor are now shouts of passion.
Looking at the numbers is enough. He has six goals and six assists in nine games, without abandoning his defensive level. He’s on the left, where previously he was not happy, but his great form shows that it was all in his head, and in the context, of course.
Shining at Barca last season was mission impossible. Less still when coming from a Diego Simeone team with a different idea. Pique, Messi and Suarez were still pining for Neymar. And ‘La Decision’ didn’t help his integration.
Now the storm hs passed and the ecosystem has a different energy. Araujo, Pedri, De Jong and Dembele have taken a step forward. Koeman’s Barca have found fitness and intensity. And with a happier, more alive gameplay, Griezmann has seen the light. Three months after being benched for the Clasico, he has stepped up. He is on fire.
He’s joking with his team-mates, looking after the young players and helping to unite a group that was loose last season. He feels now a love that was not there in his first year. And his relationship with Messi is playing its part too.
They’ve never had problems but there wasn’t much chemistry. Now they hug on the pitch and it speaks for itself. Maybe he won’t reach the level Neymar had in that regard but their relationship is growing. Now Griezmann feels he and Messi are travelling on the same train.
With 12 goals and 8 assists this season, he is the second top scorer in the team. Maybe the goals were important to help him find his self-esteem.
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