ANTOINE GRIEZMANN and Lionel Messi appear to have put any rift behind them after their passionate celebration of the Frenchman’s goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Rumours of aggro between the pair surfaced after Messi reportedly warned Barca chiefs against signing the former Atletico Madrid man in the summer.
Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann passionately celebrated the Frenchman’s goal for Barcelona on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the Catalans went ahead with the signing and fans have been watching the pair closely ever since.
Supporters online claimed Messi was deliberately not passing to the 28-year-old who has struggled to hit his best form since making the switch to the Nou Camp.
Some even claimed to have found proof the Argentine superstar doesn’t trust Griezmann after he “ignored him” during a match against Slavia Prague.
But when asked about a potential fall-out, Griezmann blamed shyness.
He told Uefa.com: “I’m really shy and I’m not very good at talking to people.
“I’m not the type of person to start conversations.
“But Leo, Luis and I are getting to know each other and we’ve already gone for dinner together.”
“Our relationship will only improve over time, and it’s clear that what happens will only make us feel more comfortable on the pitch.”
However, after Messi set up Griezmann to score Barca’s third last night, the pair passionately celebrated together which convinced fans online there is no problem at all.
One posted: “Messi doing everything to help Griezmann get on the scoresheet reminds me of how he used to do it for Neymar, Suarez, Ibrahimovic, Tello and countless other Barça players when they were struggling to get confidence in front of goal.”
And another added: “That Messi pass to Griezmann just dissolved all the stupid theories.
“What Messi does on and off the pitch is simply insurmountable.”
Even Gary Lineker got involved and tweeted: “Who says Messi doesn’t pass to Griezmann? Great assist for the Frenchman’s goal.”
Griezmann’s Barca teammate Clement Lenglet – who previously admitted Messi and Griezmann weren’t close – also hit out at the striker’s critics after the game.
He said: “It’s a good moment because the three forwards have scored and Leo made two assists.
“Now you can’t say anything about Antoine.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
