Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone insists they'll survive the sale of Antoine Griezmann.

The decision comes just a year after the Frenchman turned down the chance to join Barcelona in favour of staying with Simeone and Los Rojiblancos.

"First of all, I grateful for the footballer that we've had," Simeone said in his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Levante on Saturday. "I only have words of gratitude for Griezmann. I love him as a person.

"I've learned not to judge the decisions of others. It's your job to have an opinion. You have to give everything without expecting anything back. When someone like Antoine gives his all for us, we're happy.

"We knew Griezmann leaving was a possibility. I spoke with Antoine before meeting with Miguel Angel [Gil] and Andrea [Berta]. I told him what I thought with affection and fondness and this was between us only."