"Griezmann would have left Atlético if it wasn't for transfer ban"
Eric Olhats, the Atleti forward's former representative, spoke to France Football about the player's relationship with the show business side of football.
Antoine Griezmann’s former adviser has confirmed the theory that many people already held. Speaking to France Football, Eric Olhats stated that the transfer ban FIFA imposed on Atlético Madrid was a determining factor in the player’s decision to stay at Los Rojiblancos.
Griezmann would have gone if it wasn't for the ban
“Griezmann hasn’t felt able to leave Atlético,” said Olhats, “it showed the integrity of his links with the club, [which was] unable to sign players. Without that ban, he would have gone, without a doubt.”
France Football, an extremely well-respected publication, this week published an extensive report on Antoine Griezmann’s form coming in to the international break. In light of this, his former advisor spoke about a perceived shift in the 26-year-old’s approach.
“His omnipresence in the media has not helped him to relaunch himself on a sporting level. The balance between the search for performance and the desire to sell your image is very fragile. Unconsciously, you can choose the wrong side.”
Olhats continued, “There are a lot of aspects of show business in football these days. Antoine is immersed in that inescapable logic at the moment. Now, he’s a footballer, not a singer.”
Griezmann's sister manages his image
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Despite the implicit difference in opinion, Olhats assures that his relationship with Griezmann remains cordial.
“The press and marketing side of Antoine’s career are handled by his sister Maud, who know all about that. It was decided that Griezmann’s image would take a different path with new methods. But there’s no anger or a rupture [in relations]. We speak from time to time, it’s a pause in our professional relationship, not out personal one.”