I asked for forgiveness from Messi for delaying Barça move – Griezmann

Elijah Odetokun

Barcelona forward Antonie Griezmann has said Messi told him he was screwed after he turned down a move to Barcelona in the summer of 2018.

Messi spoke publicly about wanting Barcelona to sign Griezmann from Atletico Madrid but the French international turned down the move and remained at Wanda Metropolitano for one more year before eventually moving to Camp Nou in 2019.

“When I signed for the club I asked for forgiveness for delaying the move and saying I wouldn’t join Barcelona. I told Lionel Messi that I would give everything on the pitch for the club,” Griezmann said on the latest edition of Universo Valdano.

“I spoke with Leo when I arrived and he told me that when I turned down the first chance to go, he was screwed because he had asked for it publicly, but he told me he was with me and I notice it every day.”

Griezmann hasn’t quite hit the ground running for Barcelona much to the dismay of the Blaugrana fans. He is in his second season and under the third manager at the club.