Atletico Madrid Player discussed everything bar football

Griezmann: I'll stay at Atletico, it would be a bad move to go now

Unfortunately it's unheard of, even in modern times, for footballers to come out as gay, and Antoine Griezmann believes players are reluctant to confess to their sexuality because of a fear of a backlash and abuse from people within the game.

In Italy, Lazio's Keita Balde Diao caused a stir with a recent post on social media that appeared to suggest he was gay, but it later transpired that the post was a joke, raising the issue once more of the lack of openly gay professional footballers.

"Players do not come out of the closet because they are afraid," the Atletico Madrid striker said in an interview with ICON, in which he discussed anything but on-field matters.

"We have to appear hard and strong but we are afraid of what people will say about us.

"Of course, I have nothing against anyone, I respect everybody."

Griezmann believes that he would come out if he was gay, but accepts that is easier said than done from the outside looking in.

"I think I would [come out as gay]," he said.

"But of course, that's easier said when you do not have to go through it.

"There are a lot of bad people in football and players can be afraid to go to stadiums and get abused."

In an unusual interview, Griezmann also spoke about the love he has for his hair, even going as far as saying he would not be willing to go bald even in exchange for scoring the winning goal in a Champions League final.

"No, no, I could not do that," Griezmann laughed in response.

"Impossible, I prefer not to, I do not care if it's the Champions League final.

"Another style, sure, but not bald, no way."