NBA legend Magic Johnson, Zinédine Zidane and his former president Florentino Pérez, his ex-Real Madrid teammates Iker Casillas and Guti and his former players Antonio Rüdiger and Marco Asensio or even current Merengues players like Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Dani Ceballos and even Atlético players, namely Koke and Antoine Griezmann. There were lots of people at the Bernabéu last Sunday for the NFL match relocated to the Spanish capital.
“Grizi” could not miss this poster between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders (which resulted in a disappointing meeting concluded with a score of 7-4 for the Floridians). He was probably the most passionate about American football among the footballers present in the sumptuous setting of the Casa Blanca. He who had already attended the first NFL meeting organized in Europe last week in Berlin (Indianapolis Colts-Atlanta Falcons).
Griezmann is originally an NBA lover. He grew up with His Majesty Michael Jordan and especially adored Derrick Rose, MVP of the 2011 season. Then the 2018 world champion became passionate about the NFL by participating in a fantasy leaguean online game that sees participants compete against each other based on the athletes’ performances in real life.
Antoine Griezmann in dreams
“I had one fantasy league, I had to learn, now I have six. In all leagues I have Jayden Daniels
(Washington Commanders) and wide receiver Brian Thomas
(Jacksonville Jaguars)but I haven’t won much, I’m not very strong”launched Griezmann, in an interview given in English to the NFL, on the edge of the Bernabéu pitch.
Asked about the next European destination that the NFL should choose, Antoine Griezmann obviously suggested France and more precisely Paris. “I’m French, so my dream is an NFL game in Paris. A romantic match would be great”launched the former darling of the Stade de France. That said, the 34-year-old player will perhaps be living his American dream, playing in MLS, when the NFL eventually sets up its posts in France.
Holding an NFL meeting in France, while the NBA will return to the capital in 2027 and 2028, would delight American football fans. The Super Bowl, the famous championship final, attracted 313,000 viewers on M6 last February. Enough to fill the Stade de France. Spain is no more NFL enthusiast, but more than 42,000 of the 78,610 spectators were tourists in Madrid.
