Antoine Griezmann

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Griezmann began his senior club career with Spanish side Real Sociedad in 2009, where he had previously been a youth graduate, and won the Segunda División in his first season. In 2014, he joined Atlético Madrid for a then-club record €30 million. In his second season, he was awarded La Liga Best Player and was integral to Atlético reaching the UEFA Champions League final, eventually finishing in third place for both the Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Men's Player. Two years later, he won the UEFA Europa League and was named the competition's Player of the Season. In 2019, after several years of speculation, he departed Atlético for Barcelona in a transfer worth €120 million, making him one of the most expensive players of all time. Despite winning his first major domestic title, the Copa del Rey in 2021, Griezmann experienced a decline in form. Ahead of 2021–2022, he returned to Atlético and became the club's all-time top goalscorer in early 2024. In his final season, Griezmann recorded his 200th goal and his 100th assist for Atlético, and scored five goals in six games to help the club reach the Copa del Rey final, which they lost. After 17 years in Spain, Griezmann relocated to the United States to join Orlando City.

In Their Own Story

The rain hammered against the roof of the Metropolitano as the final whistle approached. The scoreline was tight, a familiar struggle in this city of grit. Antoine stood near the corner flag, chest heaving, the red and white stripes soaked with sweat and rain. He looked up at the stands, where a sea of scarves waved in unison, chanting his name not as a stranger, but as one of their own. A young teammate tapped his shoulder, pointing toward the tunnel. Antoine nodded, a small smile breaking through the exhaustion. The journey had been long, leaving for the bright lights elsewhere only to return to the fire that forged him. He walked off, the roar of the crowd drowning out everything else; he was back where he belonged.

Reader's Guide

Griezmann made his competitive debut for Real Sociedad on 2 September 2009 in a Copa del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano. He made his La Liga debut on 29 August 2010. He scored his first goal for Atlético Madrid on 17 September 2014 in a Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos. He netted his first league goals for Atlético with a brace in a 4–2 win over Córdoba on 1 November 2014.

Did You Know?

• Griezmann was born on 21 March 1991 in Mâcon, France, to a father with German and Luxembourgish ancestry and a mother of Portuguese descent.
• He was rejected by several French clubs as a youth due to his small frame before joining Real Sociedad's academy in Spain.
• Griezmann won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with France and made his senior debut in 2014.
• He was the top goalscorer and Player of the Tournament as hosts France finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 2016.
• Griezmann won the Silver Boot, the Bronze Ball, and was named man of the match in the final as France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup.