Quick Read
- Antoine Griezmann will remain with Atletico Madrid, postponing his transfer to Orlando City.
- Atletico Madrid director Mateu Alemany confirmed Griezmann’s stay, citing his contract until 2027.
- The MLS primary transfer window closed on March 26, making an immediate move impossible.
- Orlando City holds Griezmann’s MLS discovery rights and plans to revisit a potential deal in the summer transfer window.
- Atletico’s advancement to the Copa del Rey final influenced Griezmann’s decision to stay.
MADRID (Azat TV) – French football icon Antoine Griezmann will not be joining MLS side Orlando City in the immediate future, with Atletico Madrid confirming their star forward will remain with the Spanish club. This decision effectively postponed his anticipated move to the American league as its primary transfer window concluded on March 26. Despite advanced discussions and Orlando City’s persistent interest, the MLS club now plans to revisit a potential deal during the summer transfer period.
Atletico Madrid’s football director, Mateu Alemany, explicitly stated earlier in March that Griezmann “will continue” with the club. Speaking ahead of Atletico’s 3-2 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad, Alemany told Spanish broadcaster Movistar+, “He’s a legend. He has a contract with us and he’s going to stay with us.” He added that there was “nothing new” regarding Griezmann’s situation, emphasizing his spectacular performance for the team. This confirmation came as Orlando City’s sporting director and general manager, Ricardo Moreira, had reportedly traveled to Spain multiple times to negotiate the transfer.
Griezmann’s Commitment to Atletico Madrid
The decision for Griezmann to remain with Atletico Madrid was significantly influenced by the team’s successful progression to the Copa del Rey final, scheduled for April 18, after defeating FC Barcelona 4-3 in the semifinals. Sources close to the situation indicated that Orlando City accepted the move was unlikely at this stage, acknowledging that their proposal required completion during the MLS’s spring transfer period, which closed on March 26, according to ESPN reports. Griezmann, 34, signed an extension last summer, keeping him under contract with Atletico until 2027.
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone, when asked about Alemany’s comments, remained somewhat enigmatic. “These things are always better when the player speaks directly and explains what he really wants to say,” Simeone remarked at his post-match press conference, adding, “We are excited and we always want the best for him, as a person as we love him a lot. He will decide when he needs to say something.” When pressed further, Simeone famously quipped, “I’m Diego Simeone, not Antoine Griezmann,” leaving the final word on the player’s long-term intentions open, though his immediate stay was confirmed.
Orlando City’s Pursuit and Future Prospects
Orlando City was one of four MLS clubs that had expressed interest in Griezmann, but crucially, Orlando holds his MLS discovery rights. This mechanism grants them the first claim at signing him, giving them a significant advantage should Griezmann decide to move to the league in the future. With the MLS primary transfer window now closed and the secondary window set to open on July 13 and close on September 2, Orlando City will shift its focus to the summer as a potential new timeline for negotiations. The club’s early 2026 MLS season has been challenging, losing all three of its opening games and currently sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference.
Griezmann has been a pivotal figure for Atletico Madrid, serving as their all-time top scorer with 210 goals in 484 games across two stints (2014-19 and 2021-26). This season, he has made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists, often being rotated by Coach Simeone and used as a substitute in La Liga. He also boasts an impressive international career, having won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018 and earned top honors at the 2016 European Championship.
The postponement of Griezmann’s move highlights the complex interplay between player contracts, club ambitions, and transfer window dynamics, underscoring how immediate sporting objectives, such as a deep cup run, can influence even high-profile transfer sagas.