Orlando City confirmed the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Tuesday. However, Atlético Madrid sporting director Mateu Alemany has confirmed that Griezmann will remain with the club for this season and the next two seasons. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Griezmann's annual salary in Orlando is around 10 million euros, equivalent to 110 million kronor, which would make him the league's second-highest paid player after Lionel Messi.
Griezmann, who is 35 years old, is Atlético Madrid's record goalscorer with 211 goals. Multiple reports indicate he is the greatest Simeone footballer of them all, though research suggests he has lost some of his leading role under manager Diego Simeone.
I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City.
Griezmann will play in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad next Saturday. Research indicates Atlético Madrid will take on Tottenham in the Champions League round of 16 next week, where Griezmann's contributions will be crucial. Multiple reports note that Griezmann produced an exquisite flick to release Julian Alvarez to score in the last round of the Champions League. His long goodbye includes a final tilt at the Champions League, according to multiple reports.
Griezmann retired from international duty in 2024 after winning the World Cup with France in 2018. Other sources describe him as both a European Championship and World Cup champion with the French national team.
Beyond Europe, what I would like later is the MLS. I have always recognized that.
Griezmann's tenure at Barcelona was marked by high-profile matches, with multiple reports noting his first season ended with an 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich and his second season included a 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Catalonia. He spent two seasons at Barcelona, playing alongside Lionel Messi, before returning to Atlético Madrid. Atlético Madrid banked €120m from Barcelona for Griezmann in 2019, according to multiple reports. Griezmann was a Real Sociedad player in 2014 and a Barcelona footballer in 2021 when Atlético Madrid won La Liga, as noted by multiple reports.
Multiple reports indicate Griezmann has made no secret of his desire to play in MLS, a move that would see him face off against Lionel Messi, as Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023.
Atletico will be almost one hundred percent my last club in Europe.
Despite his illustrious career, multiple reports indicate Griezmann's lone trophy aside from Super Cups is the 2018 Europa League.
Of outfield players left in the Champions League, only Robert Lewandowski is older than Griezmann, according to multiple reports.
I am very excited to start the next chapter in my career with Orlando City. From my first conversations with the club, I felt a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me.
Multiple reports note that Griezmann is a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and met Patrick Mahomes in November 2023.
Other sources indicate Orlando City presents their new star in their official channels. Meanwhile, multiple reports suggest Julian Alvarez does not want to guarantee that he will stay at Atlético Madrid next season.
Winning the Champions League was my 'dream' in 2019 after joining Barcelona.
The contradictory nature of Griezmann's reported moves stems from fundamentally different narratives: one asserting he is leaving Atlético Madrid to join Orlando City in MLS, and another insisting he will remain with Atlético Madrid for this season and the next two seasons.
Reactions from the football world have been mixed, with Orlando City celebrating a landmark signing while Atlético Madrid officials express confidence in retaining their star.
Griezmann's decision carries major implications for both Atlético Madrid and MLS. If he stays, Atlético retains their record scorer for a final Champions League push, but must address his potentially reduced role under Simeone. If he joins Orlando City, MLS gains a high-profile European star to boost its visibility.
Key questions remain unanswered, including the exact status of Griezmann's contracts with Atlético Madrid and Orlando City, and when he will officially join Orlando City if the move proceeds. The specific terms of his contract with Orlando City, including salary details beyond the reported 10 million euros, are also unknown. Additionally, how his role at Atlético Madrid will be affected if he stays, given reports of losing his leading role, is uncertain.