Atletico Madrid bid farewell to their star player Antoine Griezmann after his final home match. The No 7, visibly moved, addressed the fans with some heartfelt words, thanked them and apologised. His family, the team and coaching staff, and a number of legendary Atlético players were there to support him at this moment.
“Today the legend begins,” Godin told him; “it’s true that he left and it hurt us, but he showed guts, came back, and proved he’s the best,” Koke added. Both of them, along with the entire Metropolitano Stadium, moved Antoine Griezmann, who, with tears in his eyes, received and embraced the affection of his fans at the end of the match against Girona—the Frenchman’s last at the Madrid venue.
“It’s a pleasure to be with Antoine on this special day. I know how it feels. It’s hard. As friends and family, and on behalf of all Atletico fans, thank you for everything you’ve given. It’s the end of a chapter, the most beautiful one of your life. From now on, the legend begins. Thank you, my friend,” said the legendary Diego Godin.
“It’s time to say goodbye to the people I love. Many important ones have left. Now Griezmann is leaving, Atletico Madrid’s all-time leading scorer. Thank you for cheering us all up in difficult times; when someone came in sad and down, Antoine was always there with the child inside him, coming in cheerful and pushing us forward. It’s true that he left and it hurt us all, but he had the g*ts to come back and prove he’s the best. We always say that more than titles, we seek recognition. And here there are 70,000 guys applauding you, and they’ll keep applauding you,” Koke told him.
By then, Griezmann already had tears welling up in his eyes, and he remained visibly moved throughout the tribute that Atlético and its fans dedicated to him after the victory over Girona.
It was a real celebration, with the players and coaching staff forming a guard of honor as he made his way out for the tribute. “Thank you, Antoine,” read a banner on the field. Then, the player emerged from the tunnel leading to the locker room, and the ovation was a grand one. Griezmann responded with applause and teary eyes.
Some of his goals were shown on the scoreboard screens, and captains Oblak, Gimenez, and Koke presented him with a jersey signed by the entire squad. Afterward, a photo was taken for posterity with the entire squad.
Atlético’s second-longest-standing member and two children also presented him with a gift. As Griezmann embraced the veteran member, the player received his ‘Rojiblanco’ membership card for next season, which will feature his image.
That was when some of Atletico’s legendary captains made a surprise appearance at the tribute. Adelardo, Tomas Renones, Miguel Angel Ruiz, Roberto Solozabal, Antonio Lopez, Fernando Torres, and Diego Godin.
Torres’s words were moving. “This is Antoine’s day. We’ve been hearing all these days about the unique player we’ve enjoyed watching. The best many of us have ever seen, that’s clear, but I think Antoine is receiving something even more important: the affection, respect, and recognition of the Atlético family. Thank you for your soccer and your commitment.”
The greeting from his family—his wife and children—brought Griezmann to tears, and he asked for “forgiveness once again” for having left for Barcelona. “It was a mistake,” he said. “Thank you all for bringing your children here so they can see what Atlético de Madrid is—the best in the world.”
