L’Atlético authorizes Antoine Griezmann to join Orlando during the international break

Paul Rouget, Media365: published on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 08:45

Atlético has authorized Antoine Griezmann to join Orlando during this international break to sign with the MLS club for the next season.

If Atlético and Real do not meet in the Champions League final, Antoine Griezmann will have played his last Madrid derby on Sunday night at the Bernabeu, where the Colchoneros lost 3-2 to the merengue club. He was substituted before the hour mark, while Diego Simeone’s men were trailing 2-1 and equalized shortly after with an extraordinary strike from Nahuel Molina, before Vinicius secured the victory for the home team with a beautiful shot into the top corner.

A transfer “with all the support” from Atlético

No final victory against Real Madrid in sight for “Grizi”, who will soon leave the club where he is the all-time leading goal scorer with 210 goals. Marca reported late on Sunday night that Atlético had authorized him to travel to the United States to sign his contract with Orlando City Soccer Club, the MLS franchise in the Florida city, for the upcoming season. According to the Spanish capital’s newspaper, Atlético will “provide all its support” to the Frenchman in this transfer, as he is tied to the Madrid team until 2027.

He will fulfill his dream

For the player who has just celebrated his 35th birthday, this final contract will allow him to fulfill his dream of joining the United States, as a big fan of American sports. In an interview with Movistar+, the Frenchman had explained a few hours earlier why he had decided to stay until the end of the season at Atlético before crossing the Atlantic. “I have always wanted to do everything to achieve great things here. I feel very good here, on the field. It’s true that at the beginning, it was harder to manage. With work, the passion for football, things have become easier, and the support of my family as well,” he said, before talking about this final season: “I am having a lot of fun. I’m having a blast, I’m playing more than at the beginning of the season. I’m savoring the present moment.”