The former financial adviser of Antoine Griezmann said the transfer ban of Atletico Madrid led him to reject a transfer to leave the club.

“Griezmann hasn’t felt able to leave Atlético,” said Eric 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.”

Olhats also spoke to the perceived shift in Griezmann'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.”