WAntoine Griezmann, who is still licking his lips at reaching the Copa del Rey final after his excellent performance against Barcelona (Oved Vargas was on the bench), has yet to announce his departure after the March 26 MLS transfer deadline, but he has only two options: stay at Atletico Madrid or accept an offer from Orlando City.
Until that moment, Los Leones will wait for the Frenchman, who at one time dreamed of signing with Rayados, to be offered a contract with franchise player status (known in the US as “Beckham Low”). The contract will have terms on par with what Lionel Messi earns at Inter Miami.
Griezmann has a contract with Atlético Madrid until June 2027, meaning he will earn €4 million every 12 months, but there would be no impediment for the Madrid club to terminate his contract if he were to remember his passion for the NFL and decide to break into the world of football in his beloved country.
million dollar contract
A potential deal between the player and the club would see Griezmann receive a guaranteed annual salary equal to the salary Lionel Messi receives in Miami ($12 million). That figure would rise to around $20 million with sponsorship deals, on top of the amount mandated by MLS rules, and could be even higher depending on the impact his addition would have on the American soccer market.
Griezmann’s decision to leave Atletico Madrid is not only due to financial reasons, but also the fact that he would be able to continue playing football and prepare for the 2026 World Cup rather than making an offer from Spain coach Diego Simeone, but Simeone does not consider Griezmann to be a starter in his team, taking away hopes for Julián Álvarez or Alexander Sorloz.
The only problem for Antoine will be if he leaves the team after missing the Copa del Rey final, where he played so well in the semi-finals against Barcelona. He scored a goal in the 4-0 win and played 90 minutes in the 3-0 win. The decisive match is scheduled for April 18th, after the MLS transfer window closes.
