At 34, Antoine Griezmann did not go to “pre-retirement” in the United States, as he has been dreaming for years. Despite the approach of certain MLS clubs for a year or two, the 2018 world champion, withdrawn from the French team since September 2024 (while he hoped to play the 2026 World Cup), decided to extend the pleasure at Atlético de Madrid, the club in which he became a legend (he is the top scorer in history). His wife has just given birth to a fourth child and family exile is postponed.
Instead of freeing himself from his contract this summer as he had the possibility, “Grizi” extended until 2027 by agreeing to reduce his salary (which was 8 million euros annually), in order to allow its managers to carry out the current transfer window in progress, with already 150 million euros spent. But as indicated
Marca A few days ago, Griezmann is still programming his departure from the Spanish capital in 2026.
For his latest season with the Colchoneros, the native of Mâcon will dive into the hierarchy of offensive attackers, after his second cataclysmic part (three goals and three assists from March, counting the World Cup of Clubs). Julian Alvarez is the new “Cholo” attack leader, Alexander Sorho is a center-forward who has hot strokes and must confirm over time, while Alex Baena, recruited for 42 million euros, is expected to be the new team dynamiter.
What role for Griezmann at the end of the bench?
For their first preparation match, Sunday against FC Porto, at the Estadio Do Dragao, the Argentinian technician has prepared in recent days a 4-3-3 with Sorloth in Pointe, Alvarez on his left and the son Giuliano Simeone in the right corridor. Baena is tested in the heart of the game, with Johnny Cardoso (bought 30 million at Real Betis) in new man to do everything in the midfield (after the departure of Rodrigo de Paul). In this game system, Griezmann will indeed find it difficult to find a place, even if he has evolved into a right relay with the Blues at the 2022 World Cup.
In defense, Robin Le Normand and Clément Lenglet worked together in a central hinge in front of Jan Oblak and should start against the porters (while waiting for José Maria Gimenez). The left side Matteo Ruggeri (recruited 16 million at Atalanta) has a free field at his post, while Marcos Llorente is maintained on the right for the moment, Marc Pubill is also one of the summer recruits of Atlético (17 million Almeria). A second test match is scheduled in Newcastle next weekend, before a first in Liga against Espanyol.
The eleven worked: Oblak – Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri – Barrios, Cardoso, Baena – G. Simeone, Sorloth, Alvarez.
