Giroud Says Messi ‘Not Eternal’ And Griezmann ‘Future’ Of Barcelona, As Star Looks To Impress Koeman

France star Olivier Giroud has insisted Lionel Messi is not “eternal” and that his international teammate Antoine Griezmann is the “future” of FC Barcelona.

Speaking to RMC while on duty with Les Bleus, the former Arsenal striker said, “It is clear that he [Griezmann] did not choose the easy path [by] signing for a club as big as Barça. That is a progression in his career. Can anyone deny it? I understand it perfectly. But of course adaptation is not easy, especially when you play next to a huge player like Messi and you play a little in the same position as him.” 

Yet still the Chelsea man backed his fellow World Cup winner to kick on eventually at the Camp Nou. “It may take longer than usual, but I’m sure he will make it,” Giroud continued. “I don’t worry about him, there are a lot of talents in this [Barça] team. You just have to find the magic formula. It’s a great challenge, but he is capable of handling it. Also he is the future of the club, because Messi will not be eternal.”

At least these comments will be far better received in the Catalan capital than those that France coach Didier Deschamps made last night prior to meetings with Ukraine, Portugal and Croatia over the next eight days.

Addressing the media, Deschamps claimed he was “sure” that Griezmann was unhappy with his lot at the Blaugrana.

“I don’t interfere with the use of my players in other clubs, be it at Barça or anyone else,” Descamps stressed.

“Antoine is playing on the right there at the moment. It’s true that Griezmann said, and told [Koeman], that he did not understand why he wasn’t playing in a more central position. But Antoine must also adapt today,” Deschamps went on.

“For me, he is still more effective when he is in the heart of the game, when he is able to touch the ball a lot. In that position, he has the possibility to come and help in the midfield too. He doesn’t have the ability to take the ball and beat opponents on the wing like others. He needs to touch the ball a lot and he is smart in his movement.”

Meanwhile, back in Catalonia, SPORT report that Griezmann has taken Koeman’s criticism – of failing to put away two key chances in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla – on board, and is keen on putting things right when club soccer resumes.

More specifically, the forward has apparently set an objective of “improving without making noise in his new position”, and there may be some truth in this considering the manner in which Griezmann carried himself with class despite being hauled off early in Barça’s last two outings.