Simeone praises close pal Griezmann as Frenchman wraps up final weeks at Atletico Madrid

The 35 year old French forward, Atleticos record leading scorer, will depart when the campaign concludes to sign with MLS outfit Orlando City.

Simeone spoke to Griezmann personally prior to their joint media briefing on Tuesday, ahead of the showdown versus Barca at Camp Nou.

I wish to express my gratitude for your dedication, modesty, and outstanding conduct that serves as a model for young people in a world that truly requires individuals like you, Simeone remarked to the striker.

Thank you for all you have contributed, and what you still bring to us. You are a footballer, yet I regard you as a true friend.

We have a Copa del Rey final upcoming, and should fortune favour us, five additional Champions League fixtures. Savour these moments, you mean a great deal to me.

The manager, renowned for his rigorous expectations regarding player effort, quipped that Griezmanns impending exit did not exempt him from scrutiny.

Nevertheless, I remain your manager, so should you slack on your running tomorrow, you will be substituted, Simeone added.

Griezmann, victor of the 2018 World Cup alongside France, expressed appreciation to Simeone and described it as an honour to represent the Argentine.

I trust that fans will recall my contributions and commitment. Someone who toils diligently for the squad and nets a goal occasionally, Griezmann stated.

That notwithstanding, the striker avoided discussion on his upcoming transfer to America, concentrating instead on the encounter with his old club Barca, where he endured a challenging two year stint from 2019 to 2021.

We understand their prowess on home soil. They possess a potent attacking force with slightly weaker defence, yet their strategy is impeccable, should they allow one goal, they respond with three.