Antoine Griezmann is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for La Liga club Atlético Madrid. He is considered one of the best players of his generation, known for his versatility, game intelligence, and attacking output. He will formally join Major League Soccer club Orlando City in July 2026.
⚽ Early Career and Real Sociedad
Griezmann began his senior club career with Spanish side Real Sociedad in 2009, where he had previously been a youth graduate. He won the Segunda División in his first season. He made his competitive debut on 2 September 2009 in a Copa del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano.
On 8 April 2010, Griezmann signed his first professional contract with Real Sociedad until 2015 with a release clause of €30 million. He made his La Liga debut on 29 August 2010. In the final league game of the 2012–13 campaign, he scored the only goal against Deportivo La Coruña, securing Champions League qualification.
🔴 Atlético Madrid First Stint
On 28 July 2014, Atlético Madrid reached an agreement for the transfer of Griezmann for a fee close to his €30 million buy-out clause. He signed a six-year contract on 29 July. In his second season, he was awarded La Liga Best Player and was integral to Atlético reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
He finished third 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. On 23 June 2016, he signed a new contract with Atlético until 2021.
🔵 Barcelona and Return to Atlético
In 2019, Griezmann departed Atlético for Barcelona in a transfer worth €120 million. Despite winning his first major domestic title, the Copa del Rey in 2021, he 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.
🇫🇷 International Career
Griezmann won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with France and made his senior debut in 2014. He earned 137 caps and scored 44 goals, ranking as France’s third-most capped player and fourth-highest goalscorer. He was the top goalscorer and named Player of the Tournament as hosts France finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 2016.
He 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. At the 2022 World Cup, he played as an attacking midfielder as France finished runners-up. He retired from international football in 2024.
👤 Personal Background
Antoine Griezmann was born on 21 March 1991 in the commune of Mâcon, France. His father has distant German ancestry, and his mother is of Portuguese descent. As a child, he often spent his holidays in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal.
He began his career playing for hometown club UF Mâconnais. He was rejected by several clubs due to his small frame. In 2005, while on trial with Montpellier, he impressed Spanish club Real Sociedad’s French scout and was offered a youth contract.
| Year | Club | Key Achievement | Transfer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Real Sociedad | Senior debut | Youth graduate |
| 2014 | Atlético Madrid | Signed six-year contract | €30 million |
| 2019 | Barcelona | Won Copa del Rey in 2021 | €120 million |
| 2021 | Atlético Madrid | Became all-time top goalscorer in 2024 | Return transfer |