Antoine Griezmann could be playing his final Champions League tie, so Diego Simeone thought it was time for a tribute.
The French World Cup winner has already announced he’ll be leaving Atletico Madrid in the summer for Orlando City.
So ahead of facing Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals, he was understandably picked in front of the media.
Before he spoke, though, his coach Simeone took time to pay tribute to his greatest player.
“As your coach and as an Atlético fan, I want to thank you for all your hard work and your humility,” he began.
“You are an admirable person for young people today, in a society that needs more people like you.
“Thank you for everything you’ve given us, everything you give us, and everything I’m going to make you keep giving us.”
Simeone then began to choke up as he continued: “Thank you for your commitment and for how you’ve always conducted yourself, as a professional and as a person, without crossing that difficult line between a coach and a player who are friends.
“God willing, there are five Champions League matches left, so I invite you to enjoy them.
“I love you very much; I think any Atlético fan would say the same in my place.
“I’m your coach, you know that if you don’t run tomorrow, you’re out… And that’s all, I just wanted to say these words.”
Griezmann then had his turn to talk and returned the emotion.
“To open my heart, I’ll need to be with my children, my wife, Simeone, and his family at another time,” he said.
“But I owe him so much. I’ve reached a level of football I never imagined, and that’s thanks, first, to Real Sociedad and then to Cholo’s work.
“He’s shown me so much, he’s taught me… And personally, I admire and love him. It’s an honour, a privilege, and a pleasure to play for him.”
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