Simeone thanks Griezmann: "Society needs people like you"

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone addressed forward Antoine Griezmann at a press conference ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.

Idman.Biz reports that the 35-year-old striker will leave the club at the end of the season and join MLS's Orlando City.

The Barcelona-Atletico match will start on April 8 at 23:00 Baku time.

"Before answering any questions, as an Atletico Madrid coach and fan, I would like to take this opportunity, attending the press conference with Antoine today, to thank you for all your work and humility. You are an admirable person for today's youth; society needs people like you.

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for us, and for everything I ask you to continue to do. Thank you for your loyalty, your professional and human behavior, for knowing how to maintain our beautiful relationship as a family without crossing the fine line between coach-player and friendship. I see you first as a player and then as a friend.

We have eight league games, one Copa del Rey match left, and if God allows, five more Champions League games to play. So I want you to enjoy it. I love you so much. If there was an Atletico fan here today, he would say the same thing. And I completely agree with them.

I am your coach and you know that if you don't work tomorrow... you will be replaced. Sorry, I just wanted to say these words (holding back tears)," Atletico Universe quotes Simeone as saying on his X social media account.