Atlético de Madrid's French footballer Antoine Griezmann has hinted that he rejected an offer from FC Barcelona this summer not to be in the shadow of Argentinian Leo Messi.

Asked in an interview on "Canal Plus France" if the decision could have influenced the fact of having to be the second of Messi - as has already happened to Neymar and in general to all the strikers who pass through Barcelona - the Frenchman responded with an eloquent: "It can be".

The Atlético de Madrid player had insisted so far on the "sporting and economic efforts" that the Madrid club had made to stay and the support of his teammates and his coach, Cholo Simeone.

Griezmann, who is concentrated with the French team, stressed, however, that all the people of his current club did everything possible to make him feel that it was his home and not leave.

The player confessed that he came to wake his wife at three in the morning to discuss his professional future.

Griezmann reported that he stayed at Atlético on June 15 in the documentary "La Decisión", from the Kosmos Studios production company of Barça defender Gerard Piqué, after having been in suspense for several days against both the Atlético and the Crucones.

@raquel.ramirezv