World Cup performances show how Barcelona should've used Griezmann

Karan Tejwani

• 16 Dec 2022 15:50 GMT
• 4 min read

Antoine Griezmann has shown his quality and consistency for France at this World Cup and has been one of Les Bleus’ most important players at this tournament.

Although he hasn’t scored as many as he did in France’s 2018 World Cup win, he has still contributed to the side with assists, and is the biggest link between attack and defence for Didier Deschamps’ side.

Judging by his role in the side and his fitness, it comes as no surprise that he has been named in 73 consecutive starting line-ups, and has dragged France to another final.

READ: Barcelona to save FORTUNE from Griezmann sale

And perhaps this tournament has been an indication as to how Barcelona should’ve used him when they had him, because what they did was waste him – and €120 million.

Griezmann shows Barcelona what they missed out on

At the World Cup, Griezmann is yet to score a goal, which has been unlike him considering his previous international returns for his nation.

At Euro 2016, he was the top scorer with six, and at the World Cup in 2018, he netted four, just two behind the top scorer, Harry Kane, as he played in a more attacking role.

READ: Griezmann: I didn’t want to return to Barcelona

However, owing to injuries to key midfielders before this World Cup, Griezmann has taken a deeper role in the team, and that has reflected in his numbers and overall contributions.

He’s making the most of it though, leading the tournament in assists (3) and chances created (21), while also providing the defensive work-rate that Deschamps requires.

Griezmann spoke about his role in this World Cup earlier in the tournament: “I am quite free in this new role. I must be the link between the defence and the forwards. I have three players in front of me [Mbappé, Giroud and Ousmane Dembélé], so more options – so it is

easier for me.”

Deschamps, too, has been full of praise for his No. 7: “I ask different things of him. There is no sacrifice on his part because he is so generous that he takes pleasure both when he touches the ball and when he passes.

“He will certainly score fewer goals, but he loves to tackle and recover the ball. With his left foot, he is capable of beautiful things and can shoot the set-pieces rather well. He has everything to play deeper: the vision, the work-rate, the touch, the energy, the intelligence.”

At Barcelona, his attacking spaces were mostly occupied by one Lionel Messi, who he will meet in the final, preventing Griezmann from flourishing and when the Argentine left, the Frenchman left too.

While he hasn’t been able to hit the same heights at Atletico Madrid, he’s still in a more comfortable position under Diego Simeone, and this World Cup has given his club an indication of how much more they can get out of him.

At 31, Griezmann is having a stellar World Cup, following on from his starring role in 2018, and is proving to be a true legend in French colours.