The match against Athletic Bilbao was not just another game for Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman was decisive, he scored the winning goal and he appeared in the post match interview after the game. This is proof of him showing leadership and it is shown in the last few games.
Griezmann also defended Messi and was positive about Barcelona's performances since the turn of the year. Their last gasp loss in the Spanish Super Cup final was the only blemish on their performances in January.
In La Liga and the Copa del Rey, things are going well and Griezmann is contributing massively. He showed five goals and got four assists in January, but, above all, he was involved a lot and helped the team greatly when Messi was either absent or kept quiet by opponents.
Griezmann has faced Athletic Bilbao three times in January and he had an important contribution in all three. He gave an assist in the 2-3 win in La Liga which got them their second win of 2021 after beating Huesca away. He then got a brace in the Spanish Super Cup final, but it was not enough and then he scored the winner on Sunday.
At this stage, with 28 appearances this term, the former Atletico Madrid striker has scored 10 goals and got six assists while in 2019-20, his first season as a Barca player, he played 48 matches. scored 15 goals and got four assists. He has half a season to score at least six goals and therefore beat last season's tally. If he plays like he has done against Athletic Bilbao, he will do that easily.