As Atlético Madrid exited the Metropolitano tunnel following their victory over Barcelona, which secured them a spot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals, one player stood apart from the crowd.
After the team had acknowledged their supporters by applauding, starting with the Fondo Sur and moving around the field, Antoine Griezmann felt a surge of energy. Hesitating at the touchline, he dashed back onto the pitch alone, jubilantly clapping his hands overhead.
In that moment, Griezmann became the sole focus on the field, celebrating with the tens of thousands of fans who remained. Often seen as Atlético’s orchestrator, he was once again in the spotlight, dancing and cheering as his team advanced to a place they hadn’t reached since 2017: the final four of Europe.
Diego Simeone, Atlético’s exuberant head coach, later marveled, “Do you know how beautiful it is to be in the Champions League semifinals?” Griezmann’s dance echoed the same sentiment in a wonderfully simple manner.
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However, Griezmann is set to leave Atlético and LaLiga this summer to join MLS and the Orlando City, a club that initially sought to acquire him before the MLS transfer window closed, but ultimately settled on a summer arrival. Aware that his days in Madrid are numbered, Griezmann is cherishing each moment. At 35, he won’t experience many more nights filled with the energy of 69,000 cheering fans.
Griezmann embodies the heart and soul of Atlético, a true club legend – he’s their all-time leading scorer and holds the fourth highest number of appearances. Currently, he stands out as the team’s most crucial player, alongside Julián Álvarez, even as his tenure nears its end.
“Training with him daily, there are moments you think ‘maybe he could stick around a bit longer,'” Ademola Lookman, who joined Atlético in January, shared with ESPN. “I wouldn’t say he’s astonished me since he’s already a football legend, known for what he’s given to the game and what he represents. Experiencing that each day is something you appreciate and learn from. It’s truly a joy.”
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Since speculation about Griezmann’s departure began in February, this season has turned into a farewell tour. Recently, he and Atlético have faced critical matches in succession, each carrying significant weight.
On March 22, Atlético took on Real Madrid in a derby clash. They subsequently played Barcelona — the club Griezmann controversially joined before his return — three times across LaLiga and the Champions League. In the Copa del Rey final on April 18, Griezmann faced off against his initial club, Real Sociedad. Next up are Arsenal, a team Griezmann helped vanquish on his path to securing his only significant trophy with Atlético: the UEFA Europa League in 2018.
Atlético’s performance through this challenging stretch has captured the essence of the team, both the highs and lows. “This is Atleti,” Simeone remarked after they narrowly edged past Barcelona 4-3 in the Copa semifinals, having won the first leg 4-0 but nearly conceding their advantage in the return leg.
Atleti is synonymous with resilience, often taking the hard route. Their victories — such as battling to eliminate Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg — are often grueling. Their losses, like falling on penalties to La Real in this month’s Copa final, deny Griezmann his first significant domestic trophy with the club, are even tougher to bear.
Griezmann’s career mirrors these highs and lows. He has won one FIFA World Cup with France (2018) and lost another final (2022). He became a hero at Atlético, drew ire from fans upon joining Barça, and returned home to make amends. He has secured the Europa League, the Spanish Supercopa, and UEFA Super Cup with Atlético, but has yet to capture the Copa del Rey or LaLiga. Now he stands just two games away from another Champions League final.
The last time he participated in club football’s grandest event, in 2016, he missed a critical penalty during regulation, converting another in a losing shootout against Real Madrid. That evening, which could have been Atlético’s finest, turned into their most agonizing defeat. This is Atleti. This is Griezmann.
Griezmann: A True Great
“Antoine is a club legend,” says Mario Suárez — an Atlético academy product, a mainstay between 2010 and 2015, and an ESPN analyst who played alongside Griezmann. “For me, [club captain] Koke is the ultimate legend of the club, having progressed from youth to the first team, a ‘one-club man,’ and the player with the most appearances for Atlético.
“However, Griezmann is the all-time top scorer and the foreign player with the most matches in LaLiga. He possesses immense skill and intelligence on the pitch. I enjoyed playing alongside him, and as a fan, I continue to enjoy watching him. He deserves a proper farewell. Legends should be honored appropriately, and he undeniably is one of them.”
The statistics place Griezmann among LaLiga’s all-time greats. Only three players — goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta, winger Joaquín Sánchez, and midfielder Raúl García — have more matches than his 557 in the league. Only 10 players — a roster of legends including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Telmo Zarra, Karim Benzema, and Hugo Sánchez — have netted more goals than his 204.
Griezmann was already a noteworthy talent at Real Sociedad — the Basque club that recognized his potential in 2005 when many French clubs did not — before joining Atlético. He came to Simeone’s team in 2014, at their height as reigning Spanish champions and Champions League contenders, and evolved into their key player.
In 2016, Griezmann secured third place in the men’s Ballon d’Or, trailing only Ronaldo and Messi, after leading Atlético to a Champions League final and France to a UEFA European Championship final. Two years later, he again finished third, this time having claimed the Europa League title and the 2018 World Cup.
His transfer to Barcelona in 2019 was a bold but misguided venture. A year earlier, he had spurned the chance to join, making the decision public through a self-produced film akin to LeBron James’ “The Decision.” When he finally did sign with Barcelona, he found himself in a misaligned role within a squad centered around Messi. Nonetheless, his contributions were noteworthy, with 13 combined goals and assists in 2019-20 and 20 in 2020-21—more impactful than many recall.
Returning to Atlético in 2021, he worked hard to regain the fans’ trust through humility and hard work. He succeeded, establishing personal records and becoming one of the team’s esteemed captains. The only prestigious title that eludes him now is a significant trophy, with his recent Copa del Rey final defeat. Although Atlético last claimed the league title five years ago, it was Luis Suárez who led that successful squad, with Griezmann still at Barça.
Beyond trophies, statistics, and records, there have been countless moments of pure skill and creativity.
Revisit Griezmann’s stunning goal against Real Valladolid on November 30, 2024, where he executed a brilliant one-two with Álvarez before spinning 360 degrees and delicately placing the ball past the goalkeeper. It’s nothing short of mesmerizing.
The Valladolid crowd, grappling with their own relegation concerns, rewarded him with a standing ovation.
The American Dream
A move to MLS has long been a goal for Griezmann. He is a sports enthusiast, even hosting an NFL program on YouTube.
“I’ve always said that my ambition is to end up [in MLS],” Griezmann stated to ESPN in 2023. “It’s my objective to finalize my career there and to fully enjoy the sports culture. I’m a huge fan.”
The question remained: when? In the first half of this season, he appeared to be relegated to a supporting role — Simeone often opted for him as a substitute over starting him, with Álex Baena and Thiago Almada earmarked as potential replacements.
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Transitioning to Orlando became a tangible possibility, even before the season’s conclusion. “He’s in a position where he deserves to choose his path,” Simeone noted in February.
The challenge was that Atlético was still competing for trophies in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and Griezmann was gaining prominence. He started both legs in the Copa semifinals against Barcelona, both matches in the Champions League round of 16 against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the LaLiga derby against Real Madrid.
On March 24, his move to Orlando was confirmed — but it would be postponed until the season concluded. He had unfinished business with Atlético.
‘Thank you for everything you’ve given us’
Neither Atlético, Simeone, nor Griezmann have ever won the Champions League. The club has made it to three European Cup finals in 1974, 2014, and 2016; Simeone has coached in two of them, and Griezmann participated in one. It has remained their elusive goal.
Yet, as the team prepared for their quarterfinals against Barcelona, Simeone shared a touching moment with Griezmann during a press conference.
“Before anyone asks questions, I wanted to express my gratitude,” Simeone told Griezmann, who was seated beside him. “Thank you for your dedication. Your humility is commendable and you serve as a role model for the youth in a world that needs individuals like you.
“I appreciate everything you’ve given us, everything you’re giving us, and everything I will hold you accountable for continuing to give us. Thank you for your commitment and professionalism. I see you as a player, but also as a friend.
“With any luck, we’ll play five more Champions League matches. Enjoy yourself. I admire you. If an Atleti fan were here today, they would echo these sentiments. I identify with them. I’m your coach, and you know that if you stop running tomorrow, you won’t be on the team.”
Simeone, having decided that day to acknowledge Griezmann, delivered his heartfelt speech unscripted, leaving both the club and Griezmann in surprise.
This Wednesday, back at the Metropolitano, the duo will strive for the Champions League dream one last time.