Antoine Griezmann's departure from Atlético de Madrid seems imminent. The French forward, who has been a key piece for Simeone's team for years, has decided to make a change in his career.
Griezmann has communicated his desire to head to the United States to join Major League Soccer (MLS). This step will mark the end of his professional soccer career, a desire he has been mulling over for some time and now seems determined to take the next step.
Griezmann's American Dream
Antoine Griezmann has shown a fascination for American sports for years. He is passionate about the NFL and the NBA and has always been interested in experiencing the MLS. At 33 years old and after retiring from the French national team, Griezmann wishes to end his time in Europe and change course.
Although he has a contract until 2026, Griezmann has decided to go to the MLS, where former teammates like Messi, Busquets, and Suárez play. Even several of his friends from the French national team, such as Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, have also made the leap to the MLS, making the project even more attractive.
Los Angeles FC, a Likely Destination
One of the most mentioned destinations for Griezmann's future is Los Angeles FC, the Hollywood city club that has already signed Lloris and Giroud. Giroud himself has spoken about the possibility of reuniting with Griezmann in Los Angeles, mentioning that there have already been some contacts regarding this.
This team is undertaking a very ambitious project, with the presence of figures like Lloris and Giroud, who could form a trident with Griezmann. The idea of reuniting with his friends from the French national team would be an extra attraction for the player, who is already drawn to life in the United States.
The End of an Era at Atlético de Madrid
Griezmann's departure also marks the end of a golden era for Atlético de Madrid. The Frenchman has been one of the essential pieces in Simeone's team, both in attack and in his influence on the rojiblanco team's play. With 12 goals and six assists this season, Griezmann has played 80% of the minutes in Atlético's official matches.
His influence goes beyond the numbers. His leadership and quality in key moments have been vital for the team, and his departure would leave a void difficult to fill. The club knew that Griezmann had an expiration date, so they planned the signing of Julián Álvarez to fill his space.