Atletico Madrid’s World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann named as one of two new captains alongside defender Juanfran
French forward Griezmann, who announced he was staying at the La Liga club this summer, and Juanfran have joined Diego Godin and Koke in leadership team
WORLD Cup winner Antoine Griezmann has been rewarded for his loyalty by being named as one of Atletico Madrid’s two new captains alongside Juanfran.
Griezmann, who had been linked with a move to Barcelona, revealed he would be staying at the club via a bizarre live tv show broadcast in June.
That was a boost to Diego Simeone who lost experienced captain Gabi this summer with the 34-year-old Atletico captain departing the club after 11 years to join Qatari club Al-Sadd.
Uruguayan Diego Godin, another player to be linked with a move away in the transfer window with Manchester United sniffing around, is to be promoted to the role of primary captain.
, forward Griezmann and Spanish right-back Juanfran will act as secondary captains alongside Koke.
The official order has long-serving Atletico midfielder Koke ahead of Griezmann and then Juanfran, although they all hold a near equivalent role.
Former Real Sociedad forward Griezmann took the armband in Saturday’s friendly against Inter as he made his first appearance of pre-season.
The Frenchman came off the bench just after the hour mark but was unable to find the equaliser as Inter won the International Champions Cup match thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s first-half goal.
Simeone’s side are expected to challenge for both La Liga and the Champions League titles and open their league campaign against Valencia on Monday.
Before then they take on Champions League winners Real Madrid in Wednesday night’s UEFA Super Cup.