Griezmann Apologizes to Atletico Fans in Farewell Home Match

Antoine Griezmann made an emotional farewell to Atletico Madrid supporters on Sunday, using his final home appearance to apologize for his departure to Barcelona seven years ago. The 35-year-old French forward addressed a packed Metropolitano Stadium after Atletico’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Girona, a match in which he provided the assist for Ademola Lookman’s winning goal.

In a heartfelt speech, Griezmann directly addressed the controversy surrounding his 2019 transfer. He told the crowd he was asking for forgiveness again, acknowledging that many had forgiven him but some had not. Griezmann stated he did not realize the affection he had at the club when he was younger and described his move to Barcelona as a mistake. He said he reconsidered his decision and did everything possible to return and enjoy his time at Atletico again, which he did in 2021.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of a decade-long association with the club across two spells, making Griezmann Atletico’s all-time leading scorer with 212 goals in 500 appearances. Despite his individual achievements, he noted the absence of a La Liga or UEFA Champions League title during his tenure, telling supporters their...