Griezmann’s Atlético career: the highs & lows of a star without compare

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 13: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico celebrates his team's first goal with team mate Gabi during the UEFA Champions league Quarter Final Second Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Vincente Calderon on April 13, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) | Bongarts/Getty Images We all knew this was coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Antoine Griezmann announced Tuesday that he will leave Atlético de Madrid in July to join MLS side Orlando City.

After years of flirtation with moving to the United States, the saga is over, and the French superstar will be closing the book on his European career to start a new chapter in Major League Soccer. Nos queda un último baile, Grizi ❤️🤍 pic. twitter.

com/Jq7AthjYK1 — Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) March 24, 2026 It’s no secret that Griezmann loves American culture. After he won the World Cup in 2018, he shouted out former NBA MVP Derrick Rose in an enduring post-match interview. He has a Spanish-language NFL podcast, “Grizi Huddle,” and has become friends with Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez .

He’s thrown passes to San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and attended Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. This has always been Griezmann’s destiny. But in the beginning, on July 28, 2014, we had no idea that we could come to know all this about a slight young winger who had come through the ranks in the Basque Country.