Antoine Griezmann targets Champions League glory before Atletico Madrid exit
Antoine Griezmann is targeting a fairy-tale Champions League triumph with Atletico Madrid before departing for Major League Soccer side Orlando City at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old will cross the Atlantic this summer to conclude an illustrious club career spent entirely in Spain.
However, the French World Cup winner still has unfinished business in Europe’s elite competition.
A final tilt at European glory
Diego Simeone’s side face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals, setting up a poignant clash with his former employers.
The versatile attacker previously described winning the tournament as his ultimate dream after moving to Catalonia in 2019.
That highly-publicised switch yielded little continental success, including a memorable 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich during his debut campaign.
Despite his legendary status, the mercurial forward has suffered from a strange lack of timing regarding major domestic titles.
Atletico won La Liga twice under their current Argentine manager, but their record goalscorer was employed by Real Sociedad in 2014 and Barcelona in 2021.
Securing an enduring legacy
Even without a glittering array of league medals, the forward will depart the Metropolitano as the greatest player of the Simeone era.
He recently displaced 1974 European Cup finalist Luis Aragones at the top of the club’s all-time scoring charts.
“Griezmann is a differential player who has given everything to Atletico Madrid,” said the manager who has signed him twice.
Beyond the 2018 Europa League and various Super Cups, major club silverware has largely eluded the Frenchman.
Double silverware still possible
While continental success remains a daunting challenge, a domestic trophy could still provide the perfect farewell gift.
The capital club face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final next Saturday.
A victory against the Basque outfit would guarantee a triumphant end to a remarkable chapter in Spanish football history.
