Griezmann's Florida Fancy: French Wizard Set to Conjure Magic for Orlando City!
Antoine Griezmann is finalising a move to Orlando City in MLS after the 2026 World Cup, ending his La Liga career with a deal running to 2028. The struggling Lions, bottom of the East, see the French star as their rebuild saviour, potentially partnering Duncan McGuire. Reports from Jeff Carlisle at ESPN and others confirm he's in Florida sealing the blockbuster switch.
Picture this: you're Antoine Griezmann, La Liga legend, and instead of another season dodging Diego Simeone's tactical tweaks at Atlético Madrid, you're jetting off to Florida for sun, sand, and MLS glory. Blimey, it's happening – reports from MARCA and Jeff Carlisle at ESPN confirm the 35-year-old Frenchman touched down in Orlando on Sunday to seal a summer switch to Orlando City. This isn't some pipe dream; Atlético gave the green light for the trip, and it's the endgame of months of chit-chat.
The deal? A pre-contract now, boots on the pitch from July 13 in the secondary transfer window. Earliest debut: 22 July against Timo Werner's San Jose Earthquakes – no Messi magic from Inter Miami on the slate yet, mind. He'll stick around with the Colchoneros through the 2026 World Cup, then commit till the 2027-28 MLS season, bang in line with Europe's new calendar kickoff.
From La Liga Royalty to MLS Sunshine
Griezmann's no stranger to the big stage – 792 La Liga games, 298 goals across Real Sociedad, Barcelona, and Atlético. Add 44 goals and 38 assists for France before hanging up his Bleus boots in 2024, including that iconic 2018 World Cup final penalty and assist for Player of the Match. Now, at 35, he's eyeing a Kaká-esque stint as Orlando's marquee man, the biggest global name since the Brazilian Ballon d'Or winner lit up the Lions from 2014-2017.
This caps a saga of rumours linking him to LAFC, LA Galaxy, Inter Miami, and CF Montréal. Orlando held his discovery rights, pushed hard in winter, but he stayed put for Atlético's Copa del Rey and Champions League chases. Fellow 2018 World Cup champ Hugo Lloris at LAFC will welcome another mate stateside, joining the MLS superstar circus with Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez (Inter Miami), Thomas Müller (Vancouver), Son Heung-min (LAFC), James Rodríguez (Minnesota), and Werner.
Orlando's Lifeline in Purple and Gold
The Lions are crying out for a saviour. 13th in the East after five games – one win, four losses, including two 5-0 hammerings in their last three. They axed gaffer Óscar Pareja after three defeats; now they're rebuilding, identity in flux. Enter Griezmann, the creative spark who could turn this around.
He's not just a poacher; the 5'9" maestro drifts deep, reads the game like a chess grandmaster, and whips in chances. Pair him with Duncan McGuire, the 6'1" bruiser from Creighton who bullies defences off the ball? Dream duo. Griezmann feeds the runs, McGuire finishes. Or solo up top, with Martín Ojeda's flair underneath – Ojeda's creativity mirroring the Frenchman's own.
Orlando fans, this is your Kaká 2.0, but with World Cup pedigree and a cheeky grin. In a league bursting with icons, Griezmann could drag the Lions up the table, maybe even playoffs. Atlético lose a icon, MLS gains a gem. What's not to love? Fancy a pint to toast the madness?