Number Antoine Griezmann: the French star awarded the number 17 in the first season with Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann, new Barcelona recruit, will wear the 17 jersey for the La Liga champions in his first season at Camp Nou.

His team number was revealed at the unveiling of the player in Catalonia following the controversial move of the striker in order to earn a lot of money since Atletico Madrid this week.

In the hours following his change of player of 120 million euros, rumors began to surface that would give this player of 28 years the jersey No. 7 currently occupied by the signing of the club record, Philippe Coutinho.

However, these rumors were put to bed on Sunday, when the winner of the French World Cup was presented to the media before his first scheduled training session with his new teammates on Monday.

He will then be part of the team that will travel to Japan before two friendlies against Chelsea (July 23) and Vissel Kobe (July 27).

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Griezmann said: "I am very happy, I am very excited and I look forward to working with the team and meeting my new teammates.

"It's a new challenge and new targets. These are important things and I hope to do my best.

"All – La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League. These are the goals of the club and my goals.

"With Sam [Umtiti] and Ousmane [Dembele]I have a very good relationship with both of them. I can not wait to see them. "

The former Real Sociedad striker also revealed his enthusiasm for playing with the legendary club Lionel Messi, who finished last season as the league's top scorer with 36 goals.

"I can not wait to see what Messi looks like on a daily basis, in training," he said.

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"Playing next to him will be an incredible joy."

The transaction has been the subject of much controversy on the part of Atletico, which claims to be about to open legal proceedings after negotiations, and a subsequent agreement between the player and Barca would have taken place while the buyout clause of Griezmann remained at 200 million euros.

They also questioned the behavior of Barca and the player after learning that the two sides were in negotiations and reached an agreement while Diego Simeone's players were still fighting for La Liga and the Champions League.