Barcelona: Griezmann describes "incredible joy" of linking up with Messi

Antoine Griezmann feels it will be an "incredible joy" to team up with Lionel Messi after finally completing his move to Barcelona.

Controversial deal and playing with Messi

Griezmann signed a five-year deal with Barca on Friday after the LaLiga champions triggered the €120m release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

Atletico have argued Barca owe them €80m more as they claim the Catalan club opened negotiations with Griezmann before his release clause dropped on July 1.

The row is expected to continue but Griezmann, speaking ahead of his official unveiling, indicated he is keen to get on the pitch with Barça captain Messi.

"Very happy and looking forward to seeing what Messi is like on a day-to-day basis in training," Griezmann told Barcelona's club website. "Playing next to him is an incredible joy.

Barça is a "big club"

"For me, it's a big club and I hope to help it continue being big - or even get even bigger. I'm really looking forward to working with my new team-mates and with the boss and playing at Camp Nou and hopefully winning a lot of trophies.

"I like to have fun on the field and off it, in the dressing room. I like to play with joy and I hope to bring a lot of joy to my team-mates and the fans. I hope we have fun together."

Griezmann medical and unveiling 

Griezmann will undergo his medical on Sunday before a formal presentation and media conference, with the France forward thrilled to be reuniting with international team-mates Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembélé.

"I'm very happy and very excited, looking forward to working with the squad and meeting my new team-mates, so very happy," he added.

"A new challenge, new targets. Important things and I hope I can do as well as I can as I have been doing for my club and country.

"With Sam and Ousmane, I have a very good relationship with both of them. I'm looking forward to seeing them."