Simeone hails 'friend' Griezmann ahead of Frenchman's final month at Atletico Madrid

[p]The 35-year-old French striker, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico[/a]'s all time top goalscorer, is leaving at the end of the season to join MLS side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-city/rsHkUNCo/"]Orlando City[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/simeone-diego/AZ18LjKN/"]Simeone[/a] addressed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/griezmann-antoine/OxCa1jdT/"]Griezmann[/a] directly before a press conference they were giving Tuesday before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/atl-madrid-jaarqpLQ/barcelona-SKbpVP5K/?mid=8pBGO97F"]the clash[/a] against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barca[/a] at Camp Nou.[/p][p][b]"I want to thank you for your work, your humility, and your exemplary attitude for all the kids, in a society that really needs people like you," [/b]Simeone told the forward.[/p][p][b]"Thank you for everything you've given us, everything you continue to give us... You're a player, but I also consider you a friend.[/b][/p][p][b]"We still have a Copa del Rey final, and if God wills it, we’re going to play five more matches in the Champions League. Enjoy it, I care about you a lot."[/b][/p][p]The coach, known to be extremely demanding with his players' work-rates, joked that Griezmann was not off the hook just because he was leaving.[/p][p][b]"That said, I'm still your coach, so you know that tomorrow if you don’t run, you're coming off,"[/b] said Simeone.[/p][p]Griezmann, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, thanked Simeone and said it was an "honour" to play for the Argentine.[/p][p][b]"I hope people will remember my performances and my efforts. A guy who works hard for the team and who scores goals from time to time,"[/b] said Griezmann.[/p][p]However, the forward did not want to speak about his move to the United States, and instead was focused on the clash with his former side Barca, whom he joined for a troubled two-year spell between 2019-2021.[/p][p]"We know what they’re capable of at home. They're a team that attack very well and defend a bit less well, but their calculations are perfect; if they concede one goal, they score three."[/p][embed guid="f7c850a3-bb9f-4e32-b178-7a213ad02f14" url="https://x.com/atletienglish/status/2041571116473344214" social-type="twitter" /]