France Legend Advises Griezmann To Leave FC Barcelona, As Number 7 Hopes To Start Against Juventus

Antoine Griezmann has been advised to leave FC Barcelona by a France legend.

Talking to Telefoot, former Les Bleus and Bayern Munich left back Bixente Lizarazu first dubbed his fellow World Cup winner “great”.

“He’s a very, very good player and he’s fantastic for France. But he isn’t at all for Barcelona. [And] This is a real problem,” said Lizarazu.

“He went to Barcelona with a dream of playing with Lionel Messi, but unfortunately there is no technical relationship between the two. He can’t find his position, [and] he can no longer player football with Barça. It’s a crisis of confidence,” Lizarazu insisted. 

“At some point it is better to cut off your hand than your arm. Do not hesitate to leave when you cannot find your place. It’s been 18 months, not just two… the situation is really critical,” it was concluded. 

With the transfer window closed until January, and few clubs able to afford either his price tag or high salary, Griezmann will not be able to force an exit any time soon.

In the here and now, however, attention turns to Wednesday’s meeting with Juventus in the Champions League, where according to Mundo Deportivo, Griezmann hopes to reclaim his spot in Ronald Koeman’s first XI.

Dropped for the Blaugrana’s last two outings, the 29-year-old is said to have been left “very hurt” by being overlooked in favor of teenager Pedri for a 1-3 loss in El Clasico to Real Madrid on Saturday.

Embarrassingly introduced in only the 82nd minute, there was little he could do to make an impact on the tie, and his nightmare in the Catalan capital was prolonged in a season where is still yet to hit the back of the net.

Given a hamstring knock suffered by Philippe Coutinho, though, Griezmann apparently believes he can feature in the Dutchman’s starting lineup even if the likes of Pedri and Francisco Trincao are included.

In helping Barça to achieve their first win at the Juventus Stadium in Champions League history, his stock could again rise through a tough run of fixtures prior to the international break – after which there is an away showdown at his former club Atletico Madrid to contest.