The first to recognize it was the player himself. Antoine Griezmann knows that today he is the star of Barcelona, the highest paid player in the squad by far and who must act as team leader once Messi has left. For now In the first two official matches, the Frenchman's record could not be more disheartening. Especially after Saturday's game in San Mamés, where his contribution was inappropriate for a player who is asked to step forward.
“I have to take more prominence. I try to help the team, either in attack or defense, although sometimes things do not go the way you want,” said the Frenchman at the end of the game in La Cathedral, who, as always when required, shows his face in good times and in bad times.
But Beyond showing his face in the post-match press conferences, Griezmann is already required to be final and decisive. Everyone knows of his commitment, of his ability to sacrifice himself and to go down to defend and collaborate with his teammates, but for the second most expensive signing in the club's history that service record is clearly insufficient.
The French are required to step forward in difficult matches such as those on Saturday at San Mamés, where He was invisible in attack and still has not inaugurated his scoring account.
After the departure of Messi, it was expected that the Frenchman, who in his playing space coincided with the Argentine, could hit the table to lead Barcelona without feeling overshadowed by the weight of having the best player in the world by his side. But after two games, Barça is still desperately looking for Griezmann.