Thursday, 14 June, the day the 2018 FIFA World Cup started, was a strange one for football. Russia, the hosts, surprised critics by thumping Saudi Arabia 5-0. Julen Lopetegui was unveiled as Real Madrid's new manager, a day after getting sacked as Spain head coach. And Antoine Griezmann revealed which club he was going to play for the following season in a documentary on television.
Speculation had been rumbling for more than a year about Griezmann's future. During a French television interview in May 2017, he infuriated fans from his club, Atletico Madrid, by stoking rumours he was set to join Manchester United.