As Antoine Griezmann prepares to turn a huge page in his career, and will join MLS, tributes continue to flow in for the French World Champion. In an interview given to the Spanish media A.S.Ivan Rakitić, who faced Griezmann 29 times during his career and shared a season with him at FC Barcelona, did not hide his immense admiration for the Atlético de Madrid striker. The Croatian particularly insisted on the Frenchman’s exceptional playing intelligence: “With Antoine, it was always very difficult because he is a player who manages his timing perfectly, he knows how to position himself on the pitch and he is very difficult to mark. He is a very intelligent player, against whom you always had to be very careful because with a single step you can gain time and space or lose everything. »
The former Barça and Sevilla midfielder even went even further when discussing the legacy left by Griezmann in La Liga. “For me, he leaves an incomparable legacy. On the level of a true legend, absolutely. Without a doubt. I think there are very few footballers who can be compared to him.”confided Rakitić before adding: “it was a real feast for the eyes, a pure joy, because it had a unique and extraordinary quality. » The Croatian also regretted that the Frenchman’s Barcelona adventure never really worked: “It was a real shame that neither he nor the Barça fans were able to enjoy the great Antoine. » Orlando’s new player will appreciate it.
