Former FC Barcelona player Rivaldo said on Thursday that the Frenchman Antoine Griezmann should raise his level and his commitment in his first year as a Blaugrana, as it reminds him of what his compatriot Philippe Coutinho lived, now on loan to Bayern Munich after failing to win at the Camp Nou.
“A greater impact was expected from a world champion well adapted to Spanish football, especially this season in which Coutinho himself is no longer there, that neither is Suárez or that Dembélé does not play due to injury. His first season reminds me of Coutinho, “he said in statements provided by Betfair.
However, he believes that “he can still make a difference” in the eventual absence of Messi. “We must wait for him to adapt a little more to Barcelona, its style and tactical system. It has quality to spare to perform at a good level,” he argued.
“Griezmann has to commit a little more to really achieve his best football and become a decisive player in Setien's plans,” said the bookmaker ambassador.
In the event that Bayern Munich does not exercise the purchase option on Coutinho and he returns to Barça, Rivaldo wants him to fight to stay. “He must fight to continue in the club and try to convince Barcelona of its virtues. That should be your ultimate challenge. A way to show your personality as a player, “he said.
“I hope that his experience in the Bundesliga has made him wake up and realize the reality. That Barcelona could be the ideal place for him, to shine once and for all in European football. I still believe in his abilities, but it will also depend a lot of his mental strength and what he wants to demonstrate to his critics, “he said.
As for the striker Martin Braithwaite, signed after the winter market by the long-term injury of Ousmane Dembélé, he believes that he will soon be “forgotten” as soon as the Frenchman recovers, or before, the Uruguayan Luis Suárez.
“As soon as Suarez recovers and if next season Coutinho is given an opportunity, I think that may lead them to forget him. Because, in addition, better players will come and he may not have the same opportunities to compete as now, to try to have a important role in Setien's plans, “he concluded.