Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann concedes he missed the club when with Barcelona.

Griezmann is now playing the best football of his career after suffering a form crisis with the Blaugrana.

At a club event in his honour, he said of leaving Barca: "I decided to leave because I had reached the limit mentally. I was always looking for an excuse when I was not performing at the right level.

"After a few months I realised that I was very happy where I was, I always tried to come back. When (Diego) Simeone called me I told him that I wanted to come back no matter what. I told my family to do everything possible to come back. I was angry with myself, I worked hard to get back."

Simeone said of re-signing the striker last year: "There was no thought, at the moment the opportunity appeared, he was the player we needed. His arrival was difficult at first, he worked hard to win over people.

"His merit is that of having things clear, of returning. I am fortunate as a coach to have been able to accompany him throughout this stage."