They say that you always go back to where you were happy, which is why, two years after signing for FC Barcelona, ​​Antoine Griezmann made his way back to put on the Atlético de Madrid shirt again. His Coming home was not the path of roses what it might look like today, when the Metropolitan once again carries his Prince. Neither was he the same one who left the ‘7’ free in 2019, ready for a young promise like Joao Félix.

The Menino de Ouro never managed to convince as a substitute for the Frenchman, banished from the mattress fiefdom At the moment it became official that he was packing his bags to try his luck at the Camp Nou, where he never shined. He spent two seasons there -he left 35 goals and 17 assists in that time- with more pain than glory, and without fitting in with his fans while the rojiblanca fans poured hate on his plate outside the stadium.

As a fallen hero He returned to the team that made him great, to return to the command of the coach who has made the most of his qualities and managed to bring out his best version. He, in return, has always been the one who has best interpreted the indications of a Cholo Simeone that this Saturday became even more of a mattress legend by surpassing Luis Aragonés as the coach who has led Atlético de Madrid the most times.

That special relationship between one and the other was evident after the win against Sevilla, when the Argentine he could not avoid kissing his pupil during one of the post-match interviews. It is not for less, because the Frenchman had just given his coach a dream night to celebrate his 613 games in front of the Indian team.

Against the people of Seville Griezmann was the undisputed leader of Atleti, who this season has not finished carbureting but is already celebrating third place in LaLiga. He made it 3-1 to start killing the game, a great goal nailed into the squad from outside the area that he celebrated by hugging Cholo, and gave Memphis the assist of the goal that opened the can.

But his work was not only in the section of goals and goal passes. The Frenchman, chosen MVP of the match, successfully completed 85% of passes, he won eight of the 12 duels he had and recovered five balls, the most without counting the athletic defensive line. Some data that confirm his reinvention as a footballer, which he already demonstrated in the World Cup with ‘Les Bleus’.

“Without a doubt I love the person that Griezmann is but I value the footballer a lot. The kiss was more for the footballer because of his commitment. Antoine had wonderful years with us, he chose to leave, he understood that he had to come back, he made a great effort to come back, like the club. It was difficult for him to find himself on his return but he had it, we are talking about a world champion. He makes us better”, Simeone praised him at a press conference.

The striker also had words of great affection for his coach: “I knew it was an important night and game for him, and what is important to him is important to me“He made it clear, and for this reason” I wanted to give everything today to win, to get the three points, but also for everything he has given me and continues to give me.

“I owe a lot to him and the club. For me it is a pride and a pleasure to be able to enjoy him every day, every game”, the Little Prince finished confessing, who has fallen in love with the Metropolitan again after breaking his heart based on a lot of work.