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Antoine Griezmann: 'It was hard saying no to Barcelona'

Antoine Griezmann admits that "it is hard" saying no to a club of Barcelona's stature after opting to stay at Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has confessed that 'it was hard' turning down interest from La Liga rivals Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

Following months of drawn-out speculation, the France international announced during the World Cup that he would be remaining at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Griezmann, who Barca were reportedly prepared to pay around £90m to sign, believes that he made the right choice in opting to stick around at a club where he feels loved by the supporters.

"It's like when you get love at home. You're not going to go anywhere else," he told L'Equipe. "At the club, they've done everything to make me feel good, including efforts to sign important players and create a great team.

"I feel like the base, or the most important piece of the puzzle. That's what made me stay. It's hard to say no to clubs like Barca but, really, I'm fine here. It's my home and I want to do something great."

Griezmann lifted the Europa League with Atletico last season and then went on to win the World Cup with France during the summer.

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Daniel Lewis
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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