FOOTBALL – ORLANDO City SC are in “advanced talks” to acquire French forward and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, The Athletic reported.
The MLS club has an open designated player spot on the roster and the 34-year- old Griezmann is its top target, with director and general manager Ricardo Moreira making multiple trips to Spain to work on a deal, per the report.
A 2018 World Cup champion and two-time Ballon d’Or finalist, Griezmann has “an affinity for American sports and culture” and has long been linked with a move to MLS, according to The Athletic. Other teams have expressed interest but Orlando holds his MLS discovery rights.
The current signing window in MLS runs through March 26.
Orlando City opened the 2026 regular season with a 2-1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a source close to the player confirmed to AFP yesterday that “talks had taken place” between the two parties, but “nothing as yet has been agreed”.
Griezmann scored 44 goals in 137 caps with France from 2014-24. He has played his entire professional career in Spain’s La Liga with Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad, accumulating more than 200 goals and 50 assists in nearly 600 matches.
Though Griezmann is no longer a guaranteed starter for Atletico Madrid, he has already scored 12 goals in 36 appearances this season.
After the forward appeared as a substitute in Atletico’s 4-1 Champions League play-off second leg win over Club Brugge yesterday, his coach Diego Simeone said Griezmann had earned the right to choose his own future.
“I told him what I think,” said Simeone. “I hope he chooses what he thinks is best, and what he wants, because he deserves whatever he wants.”
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said he was “surprised” to see the news about Griezmann and said he was still “adored by our fans, and essential to the team”.
Orlando City failed to qualify for the last MLS playoffs, but has a history of big-name signings, with former players including Ballon d’Or winner Kaka.
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