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Bixente Lizarazu urges Antoine Griezmann to leave Barcelona

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 November 2020

Lizarazu urges Griezmann to leave Barcelona

Former France defender Bixente Lizarazu urges Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann to seek an exit from Camp Nou if he wants to save his career.

Former France defender Bixente Lizarazu believes that Antoine Griezmann must leave Barcelona for the good of his career.

Griezmann arrived at Camp Nou with huge expectations after completing a big-money move from Atletico Madrid last summer, but the Frenchman has failed to make his mark in Catalonia.

The 29-year-old has hit the back of the net in Barca's two most recent La Liga matches against Alaves and Real Betis, but Lizarazu, who won 97 caps for France, has urged Griezmann to seek a way out from the "mess" at Barcelona.

Speaking to France Football, Lizarazu said: "You can see that Griezmann is not happy on the pitch. To play well, a footballer must feel supported. There must be a relationship of trust with the coach and teammates. I don't see that.

"He does not find his place with Leo Messi. They don't play together. The solution is to leave. You have to be able to say enough. Frankly, is it worth insisting. The environment is not good for him.

"The most important thing is to find a better environment to develop. Barcelona's mess is too much. It is better to leave that so as not to continue falling, to go to a stable club where the coach wants you.

"Where? I don't know, but it must be a great club. He will not enjoy staying at Barca."

Griezmann has notched up a total of 17 goals in 57 appearances for La Blaugrana across all competitions, and the Frenchman still has over three years left to run on his current deal at Camp Nou.