8. Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann: History, Teams, and Trophies

Antoine Griezmann History and Highlights

A mainstay among Spain’s best domestic teams for the best part of a decade, Griezmann’s unsuccessful stint at Barcelona shouldn’t overshadow his achievements elsewhere. Over his career, he’s brought glittering creativity to an industrious Atletico Madrid and played a crucial role in the modern era of the France national team’s success. Will he make it to the World Cup Final, again? 

Champions League 2023 – 24 Predictions

Antoine Griezmann is currently competing for the 2023 Champions League Title! Read our Celtic vs Atletico Madrid prediction and win big!

Qatar 2022 World Cup Finals

France is in the Finals! They managed to beat Morocco 2-0 and made it through for the second year in a row. Read our prediction for the Argentina vs France.

Qatar World Cup Quarterfinals

The France National Football team beat Poland, and managed to make it to the Quarterfinals! Read our prediction for the France vs England Match.

2022 Qatar World Cup Round of 16

The France National Football team made it to the Round of 16! CXSports brings you France vs Poland. Place your Bets! 

2022 Qatar Group Stage

Want to see how Antoine Griezmann will perform with the France National Football Team in the Qatar 2022 World Cup? Click the links below to bet on your favourite World Cup matches!

Tuesday November 22 –  France vs Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 8pm).

Friday November 25 –  France vs Denmark (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 5pm).

Wednesday November 30 –  Tunisia vs France (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 4pm)

Leaving home early

Antoine Griezmann was born in France and played his first youth football games with his local team, Macon, but the possibility that he could make it professionally became clear when Spanish side Real Sociedad offered him a trial and make a concerted effort to convince his parents that a move abroad to develop his game would be for his own good.

He would play in the youth system for four years before breaking into the first team in the 2009-10 season, never transitioning through the reserve team. Over the next few years, Griezman progressed quickly and made himself a crucial part of the team, so capturing the team of Europe’s largest teams.

Atletico Madrid

It was Atleti who won the race to get Antoine Griezmann’s signature in 2014, paying Sociedad £24 million and marking the moment Diego Simeone’s project with the club would start to reach new heights.

He shone in his first season, overtaking Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema’s record for the number of goals in a La Liga season for a French player. At the end of the season, he lined up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the official Team of the Year after scoring 22 goals in 37 games.

The 2015-16 season saw the team start competing at an even higher level, but with that came more heartbreak. A missed penalty in normal time in the Champions League final against Real Madrid helped contribute to Atleti’s eventual loss in a penalty shootout.

In 2017-18 the team did get their hands on some European silverware, albeit the Europa League. Griezman scored once in the semis and twice in the final. However, the following season would be his last with Atleti before his move to Barcelona, with the team’s performances not matching those of previous years, even as Griezman was breaking Fernando Torres’ goalscoring record for the club.

Bought by Barcelona

After years of frantic chasing, the Catalan giants finally got their man in 2019, paying a whopping €120 million to match his buy-out clause.

However, in their two years together, both player and club were significantly underwhelmed. Although they won the 2021 Copa Del Rey, with Griezmann scoring in the final, the two were both left unsure what all the build-up about the other had been for.

There was a short expiry date on the pairing.

Moving back home

There was always a place for Antoine Griezmann at Atleti, and in 2021 he joined his old club on loan in a transfer that was later made permanent. Although neither has yet reached the heights of old, they are a much better match and the fans still enthusiastically cheer one of their favorite forwards.

International star

Amidst the Spanish saga, it’s easy to forget that Griezmann plays for France. He’ll always be remembered for the 2018 World Cup, where he was voted the tournament’s third-best player as he led his side to victory.

Antoine Griezmann Fast-facts

• Griezmann’s transfer to Barcelona for €120 million made him the fifth most expensive signing of all time.
• When he scored a penalty against Australia for France in the 2018 World Cup, it was the first time a penalty had been awarded via the VAR system in a World Cup game.