Griezmann apologises again to Atletico fans in home farewell

MADRID: Antoine Griezmann said goodbye to Atletico Madrid supporters on Sunday after making his final home appearance for the club, and again expressed regret over his 2019 departure to Barcelona.

The 35-year-old forward is set to join Major League Soccer side Orlando City at the end of the season, bringing to a close a 10-season association with Atletico that was split into two spells following his move to the Catalan club.

Griezmann addressed fans on the pitch after Atletico secured a 1-0 win over Girona in La Liga. He created the game's only goal for Ademola Lookman in what became an emotional farewell at the Metropolitano stadium.

Speaking to supporters after the match, Griezmann acknowledged that not everyone had moved on from his exit several years ago.

I know many of you have (forgiven me), but some still haven't, so I apologise again.

he said.

I didn't realise how much love I had here, I was very young, and well, I made a mistake.

He added that he had reflected on that decision and worked to return to the club.

I reconsidered and we did everything to come back here and enjoy it again.

Emotional farewell at the Metropolitano

Griezmann arrived at the stadium visibly emotional before kickoff. After the match, he also thanked those he had worked with during both of his spells at Atletico.

I want to thank all my teammates from 2014 until today.

he said.

It's incredible to share everything with them. Every battle, every victory, and every defeat.

He also expressed gratitude to his family, the club's staff and coach Diego Simeone, saying the Argentine had changed everything for Atletico.

Atletico career and achievements

Griezmann joined Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 as a left winger and developed into one of Europe's leading forwards under Simeone. He leaves as Atletico's all-time leading scorer, with 212 goals in 500 appearances for the club.

Simeone guided Atletico to La Liga titles in 2014 and 2021, although Griezmann was not part of either title-winning campaign. He arrived after the club's 2014 triumph and was at Barcelona when Atletico won the league again in 2021.

Griezmann's only major trophy with Atletico was the Europa League in 2018. Later that same year, he went on to win the World Cup with France in Russia.

His farewell came after Atletico's home victory over Girona, a match in which he played a decisive role by setting up Lookman's winner before addressing supporters one final time on the pitch.