Griezmann reveals reasons to stay with Madrid

CAIRO – 5 July 2017: Antoine Griezmann decided to stay with Atletico Madrid this year despite many offers from big teams in Europe. Griezmann took the decision after the club got banned from transfer until 2018, and his contract has been renewed until 2022.

"I have stayed mainly because of the transfer ban. Atletico needed me now more than ever, and I felt I had to stay. It would be dirty to leave. I wouldn't have been myself, or the person that I feel I am today, if I had left this club in that way,” Griezmann told FourFourTwo magazine.

Griezmann talked about the contract extension process, saying, “I spoke to Diego Simeone about the situation, our options, and how he wanted me to stay to work out what we could do.”

Griezmann joined Atletico Madrid in July 2014, and he had great moments with the club and the fans.

“I have too much respect for this club and the people in it to leave now; they've given me everything,” Griezmann added to FourFourTwo magazine.

Griezmann had a great season with Atletico Madrid last year, playing 53 matches and scoring 26 goals.