Miami (AFP) – France World Cup-winning attacker Antoine Griezmann is holding talks with Major League Soccer’s Orlando City, a source close to the discussions told AFP on Monday. Griezmann currently plays for Atletico Madrid, where he is the Spanish club’s all-time leading scorer, and also netted 44 goals in an illustrious career for his international side.
The 34-year-old’s potential move stateside has been rumored for years, with the player known to be an admirer of other American leagues such as the NBA and NFL. A source close to the player confirmed to AFP on Tuesday that “talks had taken place” between the two parties, but “nothing as yet has been agreed.” Griezmann’s transfer would be a further boost to the rapidly growing US soccer league.
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Orlando owns Griezmann’s “discovery rights” — an MLS mechanism giving one team the priority to negotiate a player’s transfer — the source said, confirming a report by The Athletic. Though Griezmann is no longer a guaranteed starter for Atletico Madrid, he has already scored 12 goals in 36 appearances this season.
After the forward appeared as a substitute in Atletico’s 4-1 Champions League play-off second leg win over Club Brugge on Wednesday, his coach Diego Simeone said Griezmann had earned the right to choose his own future. “I told him what I think,” said Simeone. “I hope he chooses what he thinks is best, and what he wants, because he deserves whatever he wants.”
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said he was “surprised” to see the news about Griezmann and said he was still “adored by our fans, and essential to the team.” The 2018 World Cup winner has scored 210 goals in total for the La Liga club — interrupted by a hiatus to Barcelona from 2019-2022 — and extended his contract in Madrid last year until June 2027. He retired from the French national side in 2024 having made 137 appearances.
The MLS season began on Saturday, and its transfer window is open until late March, before re-opening mid-season during the summer. Orlando City failed to qualify for the last MLS playoffs, but has a history of big-name signings, with former players including Ballon d’Or winner Kaka.
© 2024 AFP
