He Wasn’t The Player We Needed – Laporta Speaks On Griezmann’s Exit From Barcelona

Barcelona President, Joan Laporta has finally revealed why Antoine Griezmann left the club for Athletico Madrid over the weekend. On reasons why the striker left Barcelona, Laporta during an interactive session with newsmen said, Griezmann wasn’t the player the club needed as he was not fitted to their style of play.

Griezmann arrived at Camp Nou in 2019 for a fee of around £108million.

However, he failed to recapture his best form for Barca, although he managed 35 goals in 102 matches.

In his words why speaking about Griezmann exit from Barcelona, Laporta said:- Laporta told Onze: “We know what kind of player he was and is, he’s a great player. I think he didn’t fit in our system, but I think he showed a very good attitude. I sent him a message wishing him well because he’s always had the correct attitude.

“In footballing terms, he wasn’t the player we needed. He scored goals – I think the one he scored in last year’s Copa del Rey that we won was very important – but it’s true that he could have given more. But he was under difficult circumstances.”