Antoine Griezmann
Attacking Midfielder · Atlético Madrid · France
About Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann is a French forward who won the 2018 World Cup with France, scoring in the final against Croatia. Turned away by French academies as a boy for being too small, he built his European career in Spain with Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona before moving to MLS.
Antoine Griezmann's story
Mâcon roots
Born in Mâcon on 21 March 1991, he has Portuguese roots: his maternal grandfather, Amaro Lopes, was a centre-back for Paços de Ferreira before settling in Mâcon in 1957. As a boy he followed Lyon and wore the shirt of his hero, Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson.
Too small for France
At 13, Lyon and several other French clubs turned him down because of his slight build. Real Sociedad spotted him at a youth tournament in Paris, and he crossed into Spain, studying in Bayonne while training with La Real. He scored on his first league start, against Huesca, as they won promotion to La Liga in 2010.
Atlético's record breaker
Atlético Madrid signed him in 2014. Under Diego Simeone he scored twice in the 2018 Europa League final against Marseille and finished third in the Ballon d'Or in 2016 and 2018. After two seasons at Barcelona, where he won the 2021 Copa del Rey, he returned and in January 2024 passed Luis Aragonés as the club's all-time top scorer.
World champion
He was player of the tournament and top scorer at Euro 2016, then converted a penalty in the 2018 World Cup final as France beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow, taking the Bronze Ball. He retired from international football on 30 September 2024 with 137 caps and 44 goals.
The American dream
Orlando City announced him as a designated player in March 2026, and he arrived in July on a deal running to 2027-28. He scored on his MLS debut, a 4-0 win over San Jose on 22 July 2026, and that goal was the 300th club goal of his career.
Did you know?
- 🧉 He picked up the South American habit of drinking mate at Real Sociedad, where Uruguayan striker Carlos Bueno took him under his wing.
- 🇺🇾 His bond with Uruguay runs deep: former Atlético team-mate Diego Godín is godfather to his eldest daughter, and he is an honorary member of Peñarol.
- 👨👩👧👦 He married Erika Choperena in Toledo on 15 June 2017. They have four children: Mia, Amaro and Alba, who were all born on 8 April, and Shai, born on 15 June 2025, the couple's wedding anniversary.
- 🕺 His Euro 2016 goal celebration copied Drake's 'Hotline Bling' dance, and at the 2018 World Cup he borrowed the 'Take the L' dance from the video game Fortnite.
- 🏈 A huge fan of American sport, he has said he made 24-hour round trips just to watch NFL or NBA games.
- 🔁 His last final for Atlético, the Copa del Rey on 18 April 2026, came against his first club, Real Sociedad, who won on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
- 🤝 Diego Simeone, his coach for most of his Atlético career, called him 'an admirable person for the young people of today' in April 2026.
- 🏟️ His final home game for Atlético, a 1-0 win over Girona in May 2026, was his 500th appearance for the club and brought his 100th assist.
- ❤️ In April 2020 he pledged a donation to the hospital in his home town of Mâcon, and Grizi Esport, the esports team he founded with his brother Théo, ran a 24-hour Twitch stream for the French Red Cross.
Honours
- FIFA World Cup: France (2018)
- UEFA Nations League: France (2020-21)
- UEFA Europa League: Atlético Madrid (2017-18)
- UEFA Super Cup: Atlético Madrid (2018)
- Supercopa de España: Atlético Madrid (2014)
- Copa del Rey: Barcelona (2020-21)
- Euro 2016 Player of the Tournament: 2016
- Euro 2016 Golden Boot: 2016
- World Cup Bronze Ball: 2018
- World Cup Silver Boot: 2018
- La Liga Best Player: 2015-16
- Ballon d'Or third place x2: 2016, 2018
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