With another defining European night on the horizon, the spotlight has shifted firmly onto Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid forward is bringing his love affair with the club to an end this summer, but not before one last crack at the Champions League.
Arsenal stand in his way. The first leg of this semi final is at the Metropolitano on Wednesday. And you suspect Griezmann will be playing like a man possessed.
SIMEONE’S TEARY TRIBUTE THAT CAUGHT EVERYONE OFF GUARD
Before Atletico’s quarter final against Barcelona, Diego Simeone did something rarely seen in football. Sat alongside Griezmann in a packed media room, the coach opened the press conference with an emotional tribute to his departing star.
Not a single question had been asked yet.
“I want to thank you for your hard work and your humility,” Simeone said, catching Griezmann visibly off guard.
“You are an admirable person in a society where young people need role models like you. Thank you for everything you have given us, everything you continue to give, and everything you still will.”
That’s not mind games. That’s genuine love.
THE MLS MOVE THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED MONTHS AGO
Here’s the thing. If it had been solely up to Orlando City, Griezmann would already be in the United States.
But the France international asked to stay in Madrid until the end of the season. He wanted a proper farewell. A chance to say goodbye properly to the club where he’s made 494 appearances and scored 212 goals.
That’s class.
THE ARSENAL ‘WHAT IF’ THAT STILL HAUNTS
Let’s rewind to 2013. Griezmann was still at Real Sociedad. Arsenal came calling.
In his autobiography, he revealed just how close he came to joining Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.
“I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting,” he wrote. “Finally, a few hours before the window closed, they told us Arsenal would not make a move. I don’t like being told something and for it not to happen.
“So when my agent told me later that London were interested again, I told him: ‘Forget it, after the blow they gave us.'”
A year later, he joined Atletico for 30million euros. The rest is history.
MORE THAN JUST GOALS, WHY GRIEZMANN IS ATLETICO’S GREATEST
The 2018 World Cup winner has spent his entire club career in Spain. Real Sociedad. Atletico. Barcelona (briefly). Then back to Atletico.
But his legacy at the Metropolitano goes far beyond the numbers. Yes, he’s the club’s all time leading scorer. But he’s also regarded as their greatest player, the most complete expression of what Atletico stands for.
Simeone spoke about him with genuine emotion. Even said he loves him. Thierry Henry thanked him publicly a couple of weeks ago for everything he’s given to football.
For a whole generation of fans, Griezmann IS Atletico.
He embodies the perfect Simeone player, total commitment, relentless work rate, willingness to put talent at the service of the team. You don’t always see that from a World Cup winner in a team that rarely wins the biggest trophies.
Interestingly, his time hasn’t been defined by a long list of silverware. He’s won the Spanish Super Cup, the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico. That’s it.
But his legacy? Built on something else entirely. He represents the ideal Atletico footballer, quality AND effort.
‘IT WOULD HEAL A VERY DEEP WOUND’
After Atletico beat Barcelona to reach the semi finals, something beautiful happened.
As the players walked down the tunnel, Griezmann stopped. Then ran back out. He re emerged to a roar from the Metropolitano, ran towards the penalty box, turned to face the stands and applauded the supporters. His name rang out from all sides.
Moments later, his team mates returned to join him. Griezmann, at the heart of it, danced and celebrated in front of the fans.
Neither Griezmann nor Atletico have ever lifted the Champions League. They’ve lost finals in 1974, 2014 and 2016. Arsenal are still waiting to win it too.
“It would heal a very deep wound,” Griezmann told Spanish media. “The only way to beat it would be to win it this year.”
SO WHAT HAPPENS WEDNESDAY?
This semi final could be the last chapter of Griezmann’s Champions League story. Or it could run all the way to Budapest on May 30.
One thing’s for sure. He won’t go quietly.
Arsenal have been warned. The love story isn’t over just yet. But the clock is ticking.