Antoine Griezmann has been heavily linked to France (Image: GETTY)
Those are the thoughts of Gaizka Mendieta.
Griezmann’s future has been the subject of intense speculation and Barcelona are widely expected to make a move.
The Frenchman - a two-goal hero in Atletico’s Europa League triumph over Marseille last month - could join the Catalan giants who would have no problem meeting his buyout clause.
While former Barca star Mendieta accepts Griezmann has a difficult decision to make, he reckons the 27-year-old could be influenced by Messi as to whether to take the plunge and head to the Nou Camp.
Gaizka Mendieta thinks Lionel Messi (pictured) could influence a deal for Antoine Griezmann (Image: GETTY)
He will fit Barcelona for sure because he will play as Neymar did and Barcelona could play with three up front
Gaizka Mendieta
“It's difficult to say something from outside. As you have said Barcelona seem to [want to] sign him but Atletico Madrid want him to stay," Mendieta said.
“He seems to be in the middle and he doesn't know where to go.
"I think it's difficult to make those decisions when such a big team as Barcelona want you and Atletico Madrid too. It's something like to be there at the right time and go.
“He will fit Barcelona for sure because he will play as Neymar did and Barcelona could play with three up front.
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"It will be a great team. Atletico Madrid could have a great loss with Griezmann leaving. Atletico Madrid are the team who most could lose with this transfer because at the end it's a personal decision. He has to value everything, either he wants to change life or stay at Atletico Madrid.
"It's obvious he will be more important playing for Atletico Madrid than Barcelona. If he played for Barcelona he would have to be on the bench resting some matches because there are high level players.
“Playing for Atletico Madrid would be better for him because his team-mates are looking for him constantly, if he goes to Barcelona, players look first for [Lionel] Messi.
"We have already seen other players signing for Barcelona and reaching another results and figures than they were used to on other teams because there is a really top level player making the difference as Lionel Messi is, even he is not selfish but it's something you have to understand."