Journalist’s pictures show how Atletico fans treated Griezmann plaque after he left

A journalist has reshared a photo online showing the state of Antoine Griezmann‘s Hall of Fame plaque after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2019.

The French striker moved from Atletico to LaLiga rivals Barcelona for a fee of €120 million.

Two years later, Griezmann is back with Diego Simeone‘s side. Atletico negotiated a season-long loan deal with Barca, with the option of a permanent transfer for €40m.

Football writer Colin Millar summed up the saga best on Twitter.

Barca sign Griezmann from Atleti for €120m. That deal funds Atleti's signing of Joao Felix & accelerates Barca's financial crisis which leads to Luis Suarez joining Atleti for a nominal fee. Suarez fires Atleti to league title & Barca forced to offload Griezmann back to Atleti.

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 31, 2021

Griezmann leaves Barca having scored 22 league goals in 74 appearances, and having won a sole trophy – the 2020/21 Copa del Rey.

Atletico, meanwhile, won the LaLiga title in the same season.

The Frenchman’s move to Barcelona initially came with plenty of controversy. Barca claimed they had paid Griezmann’s €120m release clause, but Atletico argued that the striker had agreed to move before the clause was reduced from €200m.

They stated: “Atletico Madrid believes that the amount deposited [€120m] is insufficient to meet his release clause, since it is obvious that the commitment of the player and Barcelona was closed before the aforementioned clause was reduced from €200m to €120m.”

Atleti fans were not impressed with the move as well.

Journalist Nathan Salt posted a photo on Twitter in the summer of 2019, stating that fans had spat on Griezmann’s Hall of Fame plaque prior to the derby against Real Madrid that season.

A long way back… https://t.co/Ye6F00IoZ2

— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) September 1, 2021

When the transfer was initially announced, fans also defaced the plaque with Atletico-themed stickers.

The Frenchman was awarded the plaque as a result of having played over 100 games for the club.

What did Griezmann achieve during his first Atletico stint?

In his first spell with Diego Simeone’s side after signing from Real Sociedad in 2014, he netted 94 league goals in 180 appearances, adding a further 27 goals in European competition.

He was named LaLiga’s best player in 2015/16. In addition, he was included in the Champions League Squad of the Season on two occasions.

Griezmann could make his second Atletico debut on September 12. Simeone’s side travel to face Espanyol in LaLiga.

Featured Image Credit: Getty