Antoine Griezmann had a changeable first season as a Barcelona player. Eric Olhats, former agent and discoverer of the French attacker, thinks he knows why he had adjustment problems at the Camp Nou. According to the business advisor, the influence that Lionel Messi has on the way of working at Barcelona is not healthy.

“Antoine entered a troubled club, a club that Messi talks about everywhere”, Olhats explains in an extensive interview with France Football. “Messi was emperor and monarch at the same time and the arrival of Griezmann could not get his approval. His attitude was disappointing, Antoine really got the feeling that he was not welcome. Antoine has always said that he has no problems with Messi, but the other way around I have. never heard such things. “

“I think Messi said he wanted to leave Barcelona because he was curious if he was still seen as the absolute playmaker,” Olhats continues his analysis of the Catalan superpower. “Also especially in view of the players who were attracted and who just left. But in the end Messi decided to stay. That’s really typical for him. A good player on the field, but outside of it … Barcelona has been suffering for some time. pain. There was a cancer within the club and that of course leaves its mark. “

Olhats sees a big difference between the Griezmann who excels for France and the attacker who seems to be struggling at Barcelona. “The club is sick, not he”, the former agent emphasizes. “Messi did not talk to Antoine last year when he came over from Atlético Madrid and refused to give him the ball as well. The adaptation period was therefore very traumatic. That has not been without consequences, that was very clear to everyone. Add to that again. the resignation of the chairman (Josep Maria Bartomeu, ed.), the 2-8 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and the three different trainers (Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setién and Ronald Koeman, ed.). not very favorable “, Olhats concludes.