“ES UNA GRAN IDEA, PERO NO ES ACEPTADA”: En un movimiento audaz que sacudió a La Liga, Diego Simeone rechazó con firmeza la solicitud de devolver a Antoine Griezmann a su antiguo rol como delantero centro, insistiendo en que el equipo debe evolucionar más allá de las fórmulas del pasado.

“THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, BUT IT IS UNACCEPTED”: Diego Simeone Sends Shockwaves Through La Liga by Denying Griezmann’s Return to Central Striker Role

Madrid, Spain – In a bold and unexpected move that has stirred debate across the Spanish football landscape, Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has publicly rejected the idea of restoring Antoine Griezmann to his former role as the team’s central striker. The decision, which Simeone characterized as necessary for the club’s evolution, comes amid increasing pressure from fans and pundits who have been calling for a return to tactics that previously brought the club great success.

During a press conference following a 2–1 victory over Real Betis, Simeone was asked about growing speculation regarding a potential tactical shift to accommodate Griezmann as the primary forward—a role in which the French star excelled during his peak years with Atlético. His response was swift and emphatic.

“This is a great idea, but it is unaccepted,” Simeone stated. “We respect Antoine and what he’s done for this club, but our identity must continue to evolve. Football doesn’t wait for anyone. We are building a team for the future, not repeating the past.”

Griezmann, who rejoined Atlético in 2021 after a turbulent stint with Barcelona, has since reinvented himself as a more versatile playmaker, often playing deeper in midfield or out wide. While still contributing crucial goals and assists, his role has become less about leading the line and more about orchestrating play.

Many fans, particularly those nostalgic for the Griezmann of 2015–2018, had hoped to see him spearhead the attack once again—especially following inconsistent performances from the club’s younger strikers. However, Simeone appears determined to stick to his new system, which emphasizes collective movement, midfield dominance, and tactical flexibility.

“We cannot rely on what worked five years ago,” Simeone continued. “Antoine has embraced his new role with intelligence and professionalism. He is more complete now than ever before. The goal is not just to win, but to grow.”

Reactions have been mixed. Some supporters praised Simeone for his vision and long-term thinking, noting that modern football demands constant adaptation. Others took to social media to criticize the decision, arguing that the team’s current scoring issues could be solved by restoring Griezmann to his most natural position.

Football pundits are equally divided. Former Atlético midfielder Gabi told Spanish television, “Simeone is right. The Antoine of today is not the same player who led our front line years ago. He brings more to the team in a deeper role.” Meanwhile, Spanish journalist Manu Carreño described the decision as “a missed opportunity to revive Atlético’s attacking threat.”

As La Liga’s title race tightens and Champions League fixtures loom, the pressure on Simeone’s tactical decisions is only expected to grow. Whether his gamble will pay off or backfire remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Simeone is not interested in nostalgia. He’s focused solely on progress.