Griezmann Ditches MLS Sun for Atleti Silverware: Copa Final Keeps Star in Madrid
Antoine Griezmann has shelved talks with Orlando City to stay at Atletico Madrid after they reached the Copa del Rey final. Sporting director Mateu Alemany and boss Diego Simeone confirmed the star forward's commitment amid a packed schedule including Champions League clashes with Tottenham. Griezmann eyes silverware to cap his Colchoneros legacy.
Griezmann Stays Put: No Florida Farewell Just Yet
Picture this: Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid's goal machine with 210 strikes under his belt, was this close to swapping the Wanda Metropolitano for Orlando City's beaches. Reports from Gustavo Hofman and Rodrigo Faez at ESPN Spain had the 34-year-old Frenchman in talks with the MLS outfit, but that's all gone on ice now. Why? Because Atleti scraped into the Copa del Rey final despite a 3-0 thumping by Barcelona in the semis.
The deal from Orlando came with a deadline – before the MLS window slammed shut on 26 March. But sources say Simeone's lads convinced Griezmann to stick around for one last crack at glory. After all, the bloke's been trophyless in a major with the Colchoneros since joining back in 2021. Time to fix that, eh?
Alemany Draws a Line Under the Rumours
Sporting director Mateu Alemany wasn't mincing words ahead of their La Liga scrap. "He's got this season and two more years on his deal," he barked, shutting down the speculation like a dodgy offside trap. Griezmann's in scintillating nick, banging in goals and pulling strings – why let him waltz off now?
Alemany laughed off the Orlando links as pure tittle-tattle. The forward's laser-focused on the business end: that Copa del Rey final on 18 April against either Real Sociedad or Athletic Club, plus a tasty Champions League last-16 tie with Tottenham. First leg at home on March, return in London on the 18th. Griezmann deserves a proper send-off if it's coming, and this lot want it to be on their terms.
Diego Simeone chipped in too, ever the class act. "Antoine's earned the right to pick his path," Cholo said post-Barça, adding he'd love to see him in the final. "His talent's eternal, and I adore the lad." No pressure, then.
Chasing Trophies in a Packed Schedule
Atleti's juggling three fronts like a street performer on steroids – La Liga, Europe, and now the cup. Alemany admitted rotation's a headache but a brilliant one. "We're lucky to have options," he grinned. Rest days? Pfft, results matter more than calendars.
Griezmann's workload's massive, but he's thriving. Missed the 2021 La Liga title while on loan at Barça, so this Copa run feels personal. Orlando knew the score – their offer was now-or-never, with summer windows bringing fresh fish in the pond.
Fans are buzzing. The all-time top scorer staying put means no mid-season rebuild panic. Imagine the scenes if he lifts that Copa – poetic, innit? Tottenham loom large, but with Griezmann firing, Simeone's got his general for the warpath.
As Julien Laurens noted for ESPN, this saga's far from over long-term. Contract runs to 2027, but for now, it's all Madrid. Pour another round – Atleti's season just got spicier.