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Putting an end to months of speculation, Antoine Griezmann has revealed that he has turned down Barcelona and is committed to his current club, Atletico Madrid. “My fans, my team, my home”, he says.
Many believe his decision, considering the star power already available in Barca ranks, is the right one. This is not to say that he couldn't flourish alongside the likes of Messi and Suarez.
It is the allure of playing in the historic Camp Nou alongside the best player in the world that prompted Luis Suarez to leave Liverpool for the Catalan club in 2014. A certain Brazilian followed his trail last season.
Barcelona remains the dream club for footballers all around the globe – there’s no two ways about it.
However, there have been instances in the past when players, for various reasons have decided otherwise. No Barca fans, Griezmann wasn’t the first nor will he be the last to turn down the Spanish giants.
Here’s a list of three players who have said "no" to Barcelona in recent times.
#1 Koke
Following a sensational season which saw Atletico Madrid win the La Liga title and reach the Champions League final in 2013-14, the Spanish midfielder suddenly found himself at the top of the shopping window, as big clubs like Manchester united, Liverpool and Bayern Munich showed real interest in him.
The likes of Filipe Luis, Diego Costa and Adrian Lopez all left the club that summer. Many believed he would follow suit, with Barcelona deemed as a potential destination, as he was seen as a possible replacement for Xavi at the Catalan club.
However, it was his love for his boyhood club that scuttled the move. The playmaker signed a five year contract with Atletico Madrid in 2014.
#2 Kevin Gamiero
The Striker chose Atletico over Barcelona in 2016
The Striker had a prolific season for Sevilla in 2015-16, scoring 29 goals and 5 assists from 52 outings in all competitions.
He won the Europa League that year as well. Little wonder he was the cynosure of many European big clubs in the summer. One of the interested parties was the Spanish giants, Barcelona.
Who turns down Barca and the prospect of playing alongside the magician Lionel Messi, right? Well, he did and made a move to Atletico Madrid instead.
The French international later explained his decision, saying he didn’t want to struggle for first team appearances like Zlatan Ibrahimovic did during his time at the Catalan club.
Gamiero’s decision was vindicated later on as the striker signed by the Camp Nou hierarchy in the summer – Paco Alcacer, mostly warmed the bench under Luis Enrique.
#3 Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio is one of the most exciting young talents in European football today.
The 22 year old calls Santiago Bernabeu his home now. But things could have turned very differently for the Spaniard, as he had a chance to sign for rival club Barca.
He was in Real Mallorca when his talent lured the scouts from both the aforementioned clubs, but the midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2014.
“There was an option to sign for Barcelona and other teams before I moved to Madrid”, Asensio told in an interview last year.
“I’ve been kicking a football since I was three years old and this was always my dream.”
“Follow your dreams” they say, and so he did.
