By Graham Ruthven
It’s hard to imagine Atlético Madrid without Antoine Griezmann, and vice versa. The Frenchman played for other teams – Barcelona and Real Sociedad – during his career, but it was at Atleti where Griezmann became an icon. He became a reflection of the club and the club of him. But this summer, their paths will separate.
It was confirmed last week that Griezmann would join Orlando City in July. After years of speculation about a move to Major League Soccer, the striker can now look forward to a life in the United States. Even at 35, Griezmann will be one of the best players in the championship alongside Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller.
However, Griezmann still has a lot to achieve before saying goodbye to Atlético Madrid and European football. This weekend’s meeting with Barcelona marks the start of a run of fixtures that could provide the striker with the perfect start. Griezmann’s long goodbye could be memorable and glorious.
Atleti are too far from the top of La Liga to mount a late title challenge. Instead, Saturday’s meeting with Griezmann’s former Catalan club will be the first of three quick matches against Barcelona that, at least in the case of the final two games, could define Atlético’s season.
For all that Atleti have won under Diego Simeone, the Champions League remains the final frontier. The Colchoneros have reached two Champions League finals. Without Sergio Ramos, Atlético Madrid would have won club football’s most prestigious trophy in 2014.
Other rivals look better equipped to win the Champions League this season, but Atleti cannot be ruled out. Simeone’s side have recently found their scoring touch, finding the back of the net 22 times in their last nine games. Griezmann is currently part of one of the most formidable forward lines in Europe.
Ademola Lookman has given Atleti another dimension since arriving from Atalanta during the January transfer window. Alexander Sørloth has also become an attacking focal point in 2026 while Julián Alvarez has scored more goals than any other Atlético Madrid player in all competitions this season.
Griezmann, however, remains Atleti’s brightest creative spark. He leads his team in expected goals per 90 this season. He also averages more shots on target per 90 than any other Atlético Madrid player. Simeone rotates Griezmann between games, but it’s to keep him fresh for the games that matter most.
“I remember his arrival as a short winger who played on the left,” Simeone said, remembering Griezmann’s arrival at Atlético Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2014. “We encouraged him to exploit his best qualities: speed, head, his left foot, his one-on-one talent.
“He grew up to play this position at the World Cup and became a world champion [with France in 2018]. He was always a role model in everything from his effort and work ethic to the joy he brought to the team. Today, the appreciation of our fans is well deserved for what Antoine offers us. Talent has no age.
Atleti are at a crossroads. American investment firm Apollo Sports Capital Investment acquired a majority stake in the club in November, raising questions about its plans for the future. For $2.55 billion, Apollo surely wants Atlético Madrid to compete more regularly for the biggest prizes in Spanish and European football.
Not long ago, it seemed like Simeone’s future in this new landscape was in question. The Argentine has shaped Atleti into their current form, but many supporters want a new, more attractive style of play. It has been speculated that Apollo shares this desire and may make a change in direction this summer.
Simeone and his team, however, were invigorated by the challenge of a deep Champions League run and Copa del Rey victory. After concluding its Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona, Atlético Madrid will face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final. Griezmann’s farewell will include another meeting with a former club.
Over the past decade, Griezmann has consistently been one of the best players in the world. Only Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema and Luis Suárez have scored more La Liga goals than the French striker since 2015, with Griezmann more adaptable than any of the other names on this list.
He can play as a center forward or as a member of a front two. At the 2022 World Cup, Griezmann has become France’s accomplished number eight. Most recently for Atlético Madrid, he was a floating number 10 with the freedom to drop deep, push forward and do it all. Atleti will miss him, but not before having the opportunity to do even more.
(Images from IMAGO)
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