Antoine Griezmann Announces Club Future
Just when it looked like Antoine Griezmann might be tempted by the bright lights and beaches of Los Angeles, the Frenchman chose loyalty and one more shot at glory with Atlético Madrid. The club confirmed that their star forward has signed a new deal, keeping him at the Metropolitano until June 2027. For fans of Atleti, it’s a massive boost, and for LAFC, a frustrating twist in a pursuit that had been building for months.
A Statement of Loyalty to Atlético
Griezmann’s decision is more than just a contract extension; it’s a statement. He’s not done yet despite having already spent the better part of his prime years with Atlético across two spells. At 34, some might have expected him to wind down his career in a less demanding environment, perhaps even cash in on a final marquee move to the MLS. But Griezmann isn’t ready to hang up his boots in Europe yet.
“I’m very happy to keep wearing this amazing jersey for many more years,” he said after putting pen to paper. “And I hope to bring [the fans] a lot of joy.” It’s a quote that will live long with Atlético supporters, many of whom see Griezmann as a great player and a modern-day Atleti legend. Since returning to Madrid in 2021 after a mixed spell at Barcelona, Griezmann has re-established himself as the heartbeat of Diego Simeone’s attack. Last season, even with his minutes being managed more carefully, he still registered 16 goals and nine assists across all competitions, indicating that he’s far from finished.
More impressively, Griezmann is now Atlético Madrid’s all-time leading scorer, with 174 goals in competitive matches. That milestone alone would be enough to cement his legacy, but his commitment to the badge shows he’s chasing something more, possibly one final title run in La Liga or Europe.
LAFC’s Pursuit Hits a Wall
On the other side of the Atlantic, Griezmann’s decision was met with disappointment. Los Angeles FC had been linked heavily with the World Cup winner, and there were genuine hopes within the club that he might be persuaded to leap to the MLS. The idea wasn’t without merit, after all, LAFC already has two former France teammates of Griezmann in Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris on their books. It was Giroud who stoked the flames of speculation just recently, telling the press:
“One day, for sure, he will come. It would be amazing and crazy to have him also on the team with Hugo [Lloris] after what we achieved for France. Playing on the same team would be crazy. I can’t imagine.” Reuniting that French trio in Los Angeles would have been a dream scenario for LAFC and a serious marketing win for MLS. Griezmann has never been shy about his love for American culture, even speaking in the past about his passion for basketball, American football, and hip-hop. A move to MLS still feels inevitable, but it won’t happen until 2027.
Final Thoughts: What This Means Going Forward
For Atlético Madrid, this news could not have come at a better time. The club is trying to rebuild and reassert itself among Europe’s elite, and having a player like Griezmann around for a few more years provides a crucial foundation. For LAFC, attention now turns elsewhere. The club is still reportedly looking for another designated player, and while the door might be closed on Griezmann for now, they have options. According to GiveMeSport, LAFC plans to remain active in the market during the upcoming transfer windows. Giroud’s current deal runs until December 2025, with an option to extend by a year, meaning there’s still time for LAFC to build around their French stars.
As for Griezmann, staying in Madrid doesn’t mean the MLS dream is over. It’s just delayed. At 34, he still has a couple of high-level seasons left in him, and then, who knows? A sunset move to Los Angeles may still be on the cards, just a little further down the line. But for now, Atlético Madrid fans can smile and get ready to see their No. 7 lead the line for at least two more years. “I’m very happy to keep wearing this amazing jersey for many more years,” Griezmann said. “And I hope to bring [the fans] a lot of joy.”If his form from last season is anything to go by, there’s plenty more joy to come.
