As the Barca-Atletico transfer saga rumbles on, there isn’t
a better time to read Antoine Griezmann’s autobiography. Originally published
in his native France in 2017, in many ways that initial version finished before
arguably the biggest moments in Griezmann’s career – that defining World Cup
win in Russia in 2018, but with the English translation only just appearing,
Ric George has updated the book to fill in that crucial 2018 chapter. Although,
the publishers may now rue not leaving it a few months more, with the Barca
deal having recently been signed – if not yet sealed.
Indeed, as it currently reads, the additional chapter ends
with Griezmann’s rejection of a move to Barcelona last year and his signing of
a five-year contract with Atletico that would see him play for the wonderfully
named Los Colchoneros (meaning The
Mattress-Makers) until 2023. Roll on a year and how things have changed – The
Mattress-Makers have been put to bed and Griezmann has just penned a five-year
deal with Barca that will see him through at the Camp Nou until 2024 – as
things currently stand.
It would have been interesting to have the player’s insight
on this apparent about-turn, but as it is we can only speculate on the
motivations of a man who admitted the previous year that it was difficult to
turn down Barcelona but ‘there is the club where you are, where you are an
important player and where they build a project around you.’ And, reading the
autobiography, Griezmann does come across as a loyal character; he stayed with
Real Sociedad for five years and the same period at Atletico despite interest
from Manchester United – the home of his idol, David Beckham – amongst others.
The move to Barcelona now, after his rejection last year, then raises a few
questions, but whatever his reasons or motivations, this transfer marks an
incredible journey from a boy who was rejected several times over by clubs in
France as a teenager to joining arguably the biggest team in world football.
The story of those early years in particular is eye-opening:
the rounds of trials and rejections that many aspiring footballers struggle
through – and Griezmann’s downfall: his size. French football at the time
placed its emphasis firmly on physique over skill, which begs the question
which other potential players slipped through the net. But, fortunately,
Griezmann benefited from Spain’s footballing philosophy – in which quality
trumps size every time – and thank goodness for that – with the likes of
Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas and Messi to have come through their system.
However, it was Real Sociedad, not Barcelona, that initially
saw in Griezmann his potential and gave him his chance as a mere
thirteen-year-old, thanks in no small part to Eric Olhats, who was the man to
spot Griezmann’s talent and take him to Spain. At thirteen, Griezmann left
behind his parents and siblings in France to follow his dream in a new country
– a prospect which seems all the more daunting in the days before mass mobile
and internet communication. But such is the determination and sacrifice that
defines champions.
Griezmann’s time at Sociedad, Atletico and breaking through
into the Under 21 national side – and his subsequent suspension – before
finally turning out for Les Bleus is
all included, though perhaps not as in as much detail as one might expect. What
he does go into detail about, though, is his love for David Beckham. He is
unashamed in his admiration for both Beckham as a footballer and a brand and
it’s really refreshing to see a footballer playing the role of a fan – and a
superfan at that. The other love that shines through is that for his family and
reading of the events of 13 November 2015 in which he, his parents and his
sister Maud were variously caught up in the atrocious terrorist attack is a poignant
reminder of how, fundamentally, footballers are men and women with families and
loved ones.
On the football pitch, the image that comes across of
Griezmann in the autobiography is someone who wants to enjoy his football,
first and foremost, but beyond everything he says it is clear that there is a
steely will to not only win collectively but to be the best individually. So
perhaps his feted move to Barcelona now, at the age of 28, isn’t such a
surprise after all. For with a World Cup under his belt, but only a domestic
Super Cup to his name, League and Champions League titles are what are needed
to finally propel him from his third-place Ballon
D’Or Award in 2016 and 2018 and playing alongside Messi may just help lift
Griezmann out of his shadow.
Jade Craddock