Legend of Atlético de Madrid, as the top scorer in the history of the club, Antoine Griezmann is preparing a tenth season with the Colchoneros. The 2018 world champion had the opportunity to terminate his contract in the Spanish capital this summer to live his American dream by signing in a MLS club. At 34, he decided to stay with Diego Simeone, even signing an extension until 2027.
However, as said Marca Last week, “Grizi” is no longer considered a major workforce by “El Cholo”. Worse, his departure remains scheduled for 2026. Understand that the number 7 fetish of the Argentinian coach has certainly extended by spreading his last year of salary (eight million euros per year) over 24 months, in order to give more freedoms to managers in their summer recruitment.
And the transfer window and Atlético is XXL. A lot of money has been spent in recent weeks to renew the workforce. The central defender David Hancko was bought for 26 million euros (at Feyenoord), the side Marc Pubill and Matteo Ruggeri for respectively 17 and 16 million, the defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso for 30 million, the number 10 Argentin Thiago Almada for 21 million and the Spanish international winger Alex Baena for 42 million!
Griezmann in the holder team
Antoine Griezmann could even suffer from the possible arrival of a center-forward who would compete with Alexander Sorho, knowing that Julian Alvarez is now the offensive leader of the team (with probably Baena, who took the number 10). The native of Mâcon was however aligned among the holders, alongside Sorho, during the opposition to training on Monday noon. Ruggeri, Almada and Baena played, but not Alvarez.
After playing the Club World Cup in the United States (elimination in the first round), Atlético opted for lighter pre-season preparation and at home, an hour from Madrid. Two friendly matches are on the program. Griezmann and his teammates face FC Porto on Sunday, at Dragao, then Newcastle the following weekend, in St James' Park, before starting the Liga against Espanyol, on August 17, traveling to Barcelona.
