The players were keen for him to come last summer but the mood has changed.
The Barcelona dressing room has changed its opinion on the possible signing of Antoine Griezmann since last year.
Lionel Messi was asked about the potential arrival of the Atletico Madrid forward on Friday and his answer was significant. The Argentine spoke as captain, responding in the plural in the presence of Gerard Pique, just in case the centre-back wanted to add something.
"We won't give our opinion," he said in a tone which suggested the Frenchman is now welcome, as revealed exclusively by SPORT six days ago.
It's in stark contrast to what Messi told SPORT one year ago when asked about Barça's interest in signing Griezmann.
On June 10, 2018, he said: "I don't know if signing him is a priority or not but I am in agreement that to win the Champions League, as we all desire, to win it again we need the best players. Griezmann is one of them and if the club bring him in, great."
He wasn't the only player to open the door. Luis Suarez also praised the possible signing, saying "a player os his quality is always welcome. He's not coming to take anyone's place, but with the ambition to win big things."
Another dressing room heavyweight to bless the signing was Gerard Pique, who talked up a move for Griezmann before producing the documentary which saw him eventually turn Barça down.