Griezmann: 'We have the talent to win big things'

Antoine Griezmann spoke to former footballer Jorge Valdano on the Argentine's show 'Universo Valdano,' broadcast on Movistar+, on Monday night. The FC Barcelona striker said in the interview that "we have the talent to win big things," despite the inconsistent start to the LaLiga campaign.

Below are some of the choice quotes from the extensive interview:

Happy at FC Barcelona

"I feel good here. I've been welcomed well. The club believed in me when I signed, and now I want to pay back all of that confidence in me by helping the team to win. I have no problem with anybody, I am very happy here, and all I ask is that people leave me in peace a little."

The relationship with the media

"There is always something bad. If it's not a supposed problem with Leo (Messi), then it's people saying that I want to leave or that I will be sold in January. I hope that after this interview they calm down a little with me."

"I think that sometimes they go too far. I accept criticism, because we're not seeing the best Griezmann. I'm an easy target, because I don't talk nor get others to talk on my behalf. Coming to Barça from another club, then having three different coaches and a pandemic inbetween, makes everything more difficult. It means that you need more time."

"I told Leo that I would talk in order to calm things down a little, even though I don't like doing it. I need a little help from everybody: The fans, the club and my teammates. I need people to be a little more gentle with me, and for journalists not to take so many shots at me. I need them to leave me in peace. I have the trust of the coach and the dressing room, and I'm happy."

A packed fixture list

"There are many games and people get injured. It's too much. You are playing every three days. You have to play and keep going, but it's difficult. It's no coincidence that there are so many injuries."

Valverde and Quique Setién

"Valverde asked me to play on the left and run into space; to combine with Jordi Alba, above all. He is the coach who brought me here, and I have a lot of respect for him. I could sense the confidence he had in me."

"With Quique Setién I learnt a lot about bringing the ball out, as well as losing my marker and making passes during the game. My relationship with him was a normal one. My parents told me to ask him why I wasn't playing, or why I was being subbed off, and I told them that it doesn't make sense to do that, because I didn't ask for an explanation when I was a starter."