Antoine Griezmann

At 33 years old, Antoine Griezmann has this physical status:

Club career

Griezmann started training in the evenings at Real Sociedad's headquarters in San Sebastián, and pleaded with the club's French scout when attending school across the border in Bayonne. It took him time to break into Real Sociedad's first team, but he made his debut in the club's youth system, with Martn Lasarte's 2009–10 pre-season campaign. He scored five goals in four appearances in the pre-season, and Lasarte's regular left-winger was chosen for the team's regular left-winger, which was unexpected for a youth graduate, rather than the reserve team entirely).

Griezmann made his competitive debut in the team's Copa del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano in the 77th minute of a 2–0 loss in the 77th minute. He made his league debut against Real Murcia four days later. With a 2–0 victory over Huesca on September 27, he got off to a good start and also scored his first professional goal. Griezmann scored his second goal of the campaign in a 2–0 victory over Salamanca two weeks later. In November 2009, he scored goals in back-to-back matches against Hércules and Recognitio de Huelva. The goal against the latter club was the only goal of the match. Griezmann was in the team for the remainder of the season, scoring two more goals in victories over Cádiz and Numancia as Real Sociedad advanced to La Liga for the 2010-11 season.

Griezmann's first professional contract started on April 8th, 2010, with the club's release clause of €30 million. He showed a keen interest in Ligue 1 clubs Lyon, Saint-Étienne, and Auxerre ahead of his signing the deal.

Griezmann made his debut in the Spanish first division on August 29th, the season's first match. In a post-game interview, he characterized the occasion as "fulling his childhood dream." Griezmann assisted in the team's first match since the September international break on a parachute equalizing goal against Real Madrid. Madrid won the game 2–1 after Cristiano Ronaldo's goal. In a 3–0 victory over Deportivo de La Corua on October 25, Griezmann scored his first goal in the league. He celebrated the achievement by pretending to drive a truck that was parked near the field. Griezmann scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over Málaga a week later. Griezmann scored the team's only goal in the team's 2–1 loss to Hércules in November 2010. In the team's second match of the new year, he scored his second goal in the team's 4–0 victory over Getafe. Griezmann returned to his scoring form in March after going scoreless in the team's 2–1 loss to Racing Santander.

In Griezmann's first competitive match of the season against the defending champions Barcelona two weeks later, he scored the equalizing goal in a 2–2 draw.

He scored his only goal of the game against Deportivo de La Corua, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2003–04, as well as delegating Deportivo.

Griezmann scored on a volley against Lyon in his home country of France, which helped Real Sociedad qualify for the Champions League group stage (4–0 on aggregate). In a Basque derby league match against Athletic Bilbao that culminated in a 2–0 victory for Real, another important goal was also on a volley, this time against Athletic Bilbao.

Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad reached an agreement on the transfer of Griezmann for a fee that was expected to be close to his €30 million (£24 million) buy-out term on July 28, 2014. He passed the medical exam the same day and signed a six-year deal on July 29th.

Griezmann made his competitive debut in the first leg of the 2014 Supercopa de Espaa on August 19th, a 1–1 draw away from Real Madrid, swapping Sal after 57 minutes. In a Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos on September 17, he scored his first goal for the club in a Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos, losing 3–2. In a 4–2 victory over Córdoba on November 1st, Griezmann scored a brace, his first league goals for the club. Atlético beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on December 21, 2014, after trailing at halftime. He scored his first La Liga hat-trick. Despite appearing in only three of Atlético's five games, he was the Month of the Month for January 2015.

Griezmann's second half victory over Real Sociedad in a 2–0 home win on April 7, 2015. The formalties were minimal in honor of his formative club's. In a 3–0 home victory against Elche, he took him to a total of 22 goals in the league season, beating Karim Benzema for the most points scored by a French player in a single Spanish top-division campaign. He played in 37 games and was named as the only Atlético player and one of three forwards in the LFP Awards, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Griezmann scored his only goal as Atlético began the season on Sunday with a home win over promoted Las Palmas on August 22, 2015. Both of the goals were scored on September 15th as they defeated Galatasaray in the Champions League group stage. He repeated the feat a week earlier to beat local rivals Getafe and put Atlético on the top of the standings table. Griezmann chipped goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli in the ninth minute of a 2–0 away victory on October 18 (as he did not celebrate the goal six months earlier).

Atlético defeated Real Madrid 1-0 on February 27, 2016 Griezmann scored the only goal. In a 2–0 quarter-final victory over Vicente Calderón Stadium on April 13, he scored both goals and knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League for the second leg. He scored the decisive away goal against Bayern Munich in the semi-final second leg at the Allianz Arena on May 3rd, advancing Atlético to the final. Griezmann had a penalty two minutes into the second half, with his team trailing 1–0 against Real Madrid in the Champions League final at San Siro on May 28. After the match had ended 1–1 after extra time, Atlético lost 5-3, but Leo scored in the penalty shootout.

Griezmann renewed his Atlético deal on June 23, 2016, which will keep him at the club until 2021. Griezmann scored both of Atlético's goals (with his second in the 93rd minute) in their 2–1 home win over Rostov in a 2016–17 Champions League Group D match, allowing Atlético to advance to the round of 16 with two games to spare. He scored the only goal of a win at RCD Espanyol on April 22, 2017, making him the second Frenchman after Karim Benzema to score 100 La Liga goals in 247 games.

He extended his deal at Atlético in June 2017 after learning that the club had been banned from signing a transfer ban and that it did not have a replacement after another trophyless season and amid rumors that he might leave Atlético for Manchester United after the 2016-17 season. His reported release price had also been increased to €100 million (£87 million).

Griezmann received his first red card after a draw against Girona on August 19th and was banned for two matches. He was first banned for diving in the penalty box, but his reaction to the referee earned him his second time. After achieving eight goals and two assists during the month, including seven against Sevilla and four against Leganés, he was named La Liga Player of the Month for February 2018. His second goal in Atletico's 4–0 victory over the latter was his 100th goal for the Atletico, becoming just the third player of the 21st century to do so after Sergio Agüero and Fernando Torres.

He scored in the first leg of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League semi-final away from Arsenal and assisted Diego Costa for the only goal in the return, contributing to Atléti's 2–1 aggregate victory and progress to the final, where his club retained the trophy for the third time in nine years.

Griezmann completed a contract extension with Atlético on June 19, 2018, following months of rumors linking him with a €100 million (£88 million) move to Barcelona, which came after Atlético reported Barcelona to FIFA for a alleged illegal move against Griezmann in December 2017. This came just days after he had turned down a transfer to Camp Nou. "My supporters, my team, MY HOME!," he wrote on social media. In Spanish, French, and English, as well as a video in which he is seen strolling around Madrid, he is seen in Spanish, French, and English.

Griezmann got off in Atlético's 4–2 extra-time victory over Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn on August 15th.

Griezmann scored a goal in both halves on Matchday 2 of the Champions League to give his team a 3–1 home victory over Belgian champions Club Brugge. Atletico Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund by 2–0 margin on Matchday 4 after losing by 4–0 against the same opponents earlier in the tournament at the Westfalenstadion. In the upcoming game, he scored his second goal in a 2–0 victory over French side Monaco to secure his team's qualification for the next round of the Champions League.

Griezmann played his 300th league game in the Spanish top division on December 15, scoring twice while setting up another as Atlético Madrid defeated Real Valladolid 32-0. He scored his 200th goal in his career in the following week after being seated in a 1–0 victory over Espanyol. As Atlético closed the gap between league leaders Barcelona and Getafe on January 26th in a league match against Getafe on January 26th. He scored in a 3–1 defeat over Real Madrid on February 10, tying Fernando Torres' record, which he later broke by scoring his first goal in a 1–0 win over Rayo Vallecano, making him the fifth highest goalscorer in Atlético history with 130 goals.

Griezmann announced on May 14 that he would leave Atlético Madrid after being heavily linked to Barcelona, who is expected to pay the €120 million buy-out clause set by the club.

After triggering his €120 million buy-out clause, Barcelona revealed the signing of Griezmann to a five-year deal on July 12, 2019. Later that day, Atlético Madrid contested Barcelona's contract to buy the player, arguing that Griezmann did not agree to move to the Nou Camp before his €120 million buy-out clause was reduced to €120 million. As a result of any agreement, Atlético later announced that they had "initiated the procedures that it considers appropriate for the protection of its legitimate rights and interests." He was introduced at the Camp Nou on July 14th and was given the number 17 shirt in his debut in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea. Some Atlético Madrid fans defaced Griezmann's plaque outside the Wanda Metropolitano on the day as the club officially filed a lawsuit to La Liga, but a tweet later stated "La Liga has [yet] to determine [the] course of action." The transfer was eventually approved.

Griezmann made his competitive debut on August 16, 2019 in a 1–0 loss to Athletic Bilbao. Griezmann's home debut, on August 25, was a win over Real Betis, who scored a brace and assisted. In a 3–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, assisted by Lionel Messi, after recovering injured Ousmane Dembélé after 26 minutes of the first half. Griezmann scored his team's second goal against Atlético Madrid in a 2-0 loss in their 2019-20 Supercopa de Espaa match. Griezmann became the first player of the season to score in every major league for Barcelona after he scored a brace against Ibiza in a narrow 2–1 victory. Griezmann scored Barcelona's equalizer in their 1–1 Champions League round of 16 draw against Napoli on February 25, becoming the first Barcelona player other than Messi to score a Champions League away goal since 2015.

Griezmann scored his first goal of the 2020-21 season against Alavés on November 1 in a 1–1 away draw. Griezmann had a brace against Athletic Bilbao in the 2021 Supercopa de Espaa Final on January 1721. Barcelona won 5–3 at the end of extra-time against Granada on February 3rd. Griezmann scored and assisted twice. Griezmann scored the first goal in a 4–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao and claimed his first trophy with Barcelona in the 2021 Copa del Rey Final.

Griezmann's return to Atlético Madrid on a one-year loan with the option to extend the loan by a further year, and with a conditional permanent transfer waiver worth €40 million set to be active by 2023.

In a 2–1 victory over Milan in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League, he scored his first goal in his second season with the club in a 2–1 victory. He scored a first half brace to level the score at 2–2, but was dismissed in the 52nd minute for serious foul play on Roberto Firmino, an eventual 2–3 loss.

Griezmann's loan was extended for another year by Atlético Madrid. Atlético was keen to buy Griezmann, but they didn't want to start the appearance based on a €40 million mandatory buy provision included in the loan. Griezmann's game time was limited to 30 minutes, with him only emerging from the bench after the 60-minute mark. In a 2–1 victory over Porto in the first match of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, he scored the winning goal in the 90+11'th minute in the stoppage time in the 90+11's minute.

Atlético Madrid and Barcelona signed an agreement on October 10th, 2022, over Griezmann's transfer from Barcelona, who had signed a deal until June 2026.

International career

Griezmann went unnoticed by several France youth international coaches, despite being in Spain. After his success with Real Sociedad on February 23, 2010, he was invited to the France under-19 team to compete in two friendly matches against Ukraine. Griezmann made his youth international debut in the team's 0–0 draw with Ukraine on March 2nd. He scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to lift France by 21-0.

Griezmann was selected to coach Francis Smerecki's 18-man squad to compete in the 2010 European Under-19 Championships on June 7th. In the national team's second group stage match against Austria, which culminated in a 5–0 win, he scored two goals and helped with the team's second group stage match against Austria, a 5–0 triumph. He was selected in the Tournament's Team.

The country qualified for the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which merited under-20 team appearances for Griezmann as a result of France's triumph at the UEFA Under-19 Championship. He was called up to the team in friendly matches against Portugal and Juventus' reserve team on September 28, 2010. Griezmann did not appear in either match due to being sent home early after suffering a thigh injury during a training session. Despite being unable to play at least 20 percent, he was called up by coach Erick Mombaerts as a replacement for injured Gabriel Obertan's injury in a friendly match against Russia in the following month. Griezmann made his under-21 debut in the match as a second-half replacement in a 1–0 loss.

Griezmann returned to under-20 level and made his debut with the team on February 9, 2011 in a 2–1 win over England at the New Meadow, assisting Clément Grenier's equalizer. He was selected by the U-20 World Cup in June 2011 on June 10, 2011. In the team's 4–1 loss to the hosts Colombia on July 30, he made his debut in the tournament on July 30, 2011. Griezmann scored the game-winning goal in a 1–0 victory on 10 August in France's Round of 16 match against Ecuador.

Griezmann and four other youth players from France's national teams were suspended together in November 2012 due to a late night out before training. He considered moving his allegiance to his paternal Portugal during this period.

Griezmann was called up to France's senior squad by coach Didier Deschamps on February 27, 2014, to play in a friendly against the Netherlands at the Stade de France. He earned his first cap on March 5th, leading a starter in the 2–0 home win and playing the first 68 minutes.

He was named in Deschamps' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on May 13th. He scored his first international goal for France on June 1st, beating Paraguay in Nice. In France's last warm-up match against Jamaica on 8–0, he returned two more as a late replacement for Olivier Giroud. He was selected to begin in France's first match of the World Cup on June 15th, bringing back injured Franck Ribéry on the left side of Les Bleus' attack as they defeated Honduras 3–0. Joseph Yobo scored a late own goal to win by 2–0 in the last 16 against Nigeria. The eventual champions of Germany defeated France in the quarter-finals.

Griezmann was chosen for France by the Euro Football Association (UEFA) in 2016, and the first game, a 2–1 win over Romania, was the first game. He and Paul Pogba were suspended for the next game against Albania at the Stade Vélodrome, but Griezmann came on in place of Giroud in the second half and kicked Adil Rami's cross in the first minute, opening a 2–0 victory. He scored twice in Lyon's last 16 against the Republic of Ireland, and Shane Duffy was fouled twice as the French recovered from a half-time deficit to victory 2–1.

Griezmann assisted Pogba and Dimitri Payet before scoring himself in a 5–2 quarter-final victory over Iceland on July 3; it was his first goal at the Stade de France. He scored twice in a 2–0 win over France in the European Championship finals, against the country of his father's birth, Germany, four days later. Griezmann won the Golden Boot as the tournament's best scorer after a 1–0 loss to Portugal in the final on July ten days, with six goals and two assists in seven games, and was named tournament's best player after being named to the tournament's team. His total score at the tournament, which was second only to Compatriot Michel Platini's nine goals at UEFA Euro 1984, who came in second second.

Griezmann was named in the France squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia on May 17th. He suffered a foul in the box and scored the winning penalty kick in France's 2–1 victory over Australia in their first match at the tournament, with the help of the video assistant referee system. In a 4–3 victory over Argentina in the round of 16 matches, Griezmann scored a goal from the penalty kick given for a foul on Kylian Mbappé.

Griezmann first assisted Raphal Varane's goal from a corner and later scored a goal himself after an Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's error. Griezmann did not celebrate his win over Uruguay out of respect for his Uruguayan mentor and Uruguayan club colleagues. He scored the only goal of the game from a corner in the semi-finals against Belgium at Saint Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium on July 10th, defeating Belgium by Samuel Umtiti.

Griezmann was involved in several goals in the final against Croatia on July 15, which France defeated 4–2. After a challenge from Marcelo Brozovi, France was awarded a foul on Griezmann in the first half. Griezmann had dived as he began falling before Brozovi got in touch, according to commentators. Griezmann led France to the lead in the 18th minute with a 30-yard (27 m) free kick kicke directed by Mario Manduki. Croatia was equalized, but Griezmann scored a 38th-minute foul after the referee decided for handball (via a video assistant review) to put France up by a 2–1 lead. He went to Paul Pogba in the build-up to the midfielder's third goal for France in the second half. Griezmann was named man of the match and was also voted the third best player in the tournament behind Luka Modri and Eden Hazard, who received the Bronze Medal.

Griezmann scored a second half brace as the world champions came from behind to beat Germany 2–1 in Paris on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Nations League.

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