French footballer (born 1991)
Antoine Griezmann (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃twan ɡʁijɛzman];[2] born 21 March 1991) is a French professional footballer who plays 🏵 as a forward for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the France national team. Considered one of the best players 🏵 of his generation, he is known for his versatility, attacking, passing and supportive defence.
Griezmann began his senior club career with 🏵 Real Sociedad, winning the Segunda División in his first season. In 2014, he joined Atlético Madrid for a then-club record 🏵 €30 million and won the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Supercopa de España, and La Liga Best 🏵 Player. He was nominated for the Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Men's Player in 2024 and 2024.[3][4] In 2024, Griezmann 🏵 was the subject of a record association football transfer when he signed for Barcelona in a transfer worth €120 million, 🏵 becoming the fifth-most expensive player of all time.[5] There, he won a Copa del Rey, before returning to Atlético Madrid 🏵 in 2024, becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer.
At international level, Griezmann won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and made 🏵 his senior debut for France in 2014 at age 22; he has since earned over 120 caps, ranking as France's 🏵 fifth-most capped player, and with over 40 goals scored, he is also the nation's third-highest all-time top goalscorer. He finished 🏵 as top goalscorer and was Player of the Tournament as France finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 2024, and won the 🏵 Silver Boot as the second highest goalscorer as France won the 2024 FIFA World Cup. He won the Bronze Ball 🏵 as the tournament's third best player, and was also named man of the match in the final. In the 2024 🏵 FIFA World Cup, he played as a central midfielder as France finished runners-up.
Early life [ edit ]
Antoine Griezmann[6] was born 🏵 on 21 March 1991 in the commune of Mâcon in the department of Saône-et-Loire. His father Alain Griezmann, a town 🏵 councillor,[8] is from a family who migrated to France from Münster, Germany in the first half of the 19th century.[9][10] 🏵 The family surname was originally spelled "Griesmann", before being changed to "Griezmann".[11] His mother Isabelle Lopes, a former hospital staff 🏵 member supervising the cleaning team, is of Portuguese descent, and her father Amaro Lopes was a Portuguese footballer for Paços 🏵 de Ferreira.[8] Amaro Lopes moved from Portugal to France with his wife Carolina to work in construction in 1957, where 🏵 Isabelle was born, and he died in 1992 when his grandson was an infant.[8] As a child, Griezmann often spent 🏵 his holidays in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal.[8]
Griezmann began his career playing for hometown club UF Mâconnais.[12] While there, he embarked 🏵 on several trials with professional clubs to earn a spot in one of their youth academies, but was rejected because 🏵 clubs questioned his size and lightweight frame.[12] In 2005, while on trial with Montpellier, Griezmann played in a friendly match 🏵 against the youth academy of Paris Saint-Germain in Paris, and impressed several clubs, notably Spanish club Real Sociedad, whose scouts 🏵 were attending the event. Following the match, the club's officials offered Griezmann a one-week trial in San Sebastián, which he 🏵 accepted. He was later offered a second-week stay at the club. The club then contacted his parents and formally offered 🏵 the player a youth contract. Griezmann's parents were initially reluctant to have their son move to Spain, but allowed him 🏵 to make the move after positive reassurances.[12][13]
Club career [ edit ]
Real Sociedad [ edit ]
Early career [ edit ]
When he 🏵 first arrived at Real Sociedad, Griezmann lodged with the club's French scout while attending school across the border in Bayonne, 🏵 training in the evenings at the club's headquarters in San Sebastián.[12] It took him time to break into Real Sociedad's 🏵 first team, but after four years in the club's youth system he made his debut, called up by Martín Lasarte 🏵 for Real Sociedad's 2009–10 pre-season campaign. In the pre-season, he scored five goals in four appearances and an injury to 🏵 the team's regular left-winger led to Lasarte selecting him for the start of the season (unusually for a youth graduate, 🏵 bypassing the reserve team altogether).[12]
2009–2011: Development and breakthrough [ edit ]
Griezmann playing for Real Sociedad in 2010
On 2 September 2009, 🏵 Griezmann made his competitive debut in the team's Copa del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano appearing as a substitute in 🏵 the 77th minute of a 2–0 defeat.[14] Four days later, he made his league debut appearing as a substitute against 🏵 Real Murcia. On 27 September, he made his first professional start and also scored his first professional goal against Huesca 🏵 in a 2–0 win.[15] Two weeks later, Griezmann scored his second goal of the campaign in a 2–0 win over 🏵 Salamanca.[16] In November 2009, he scored goals in back-to-back matches against Hércules and Recreativo de Huelva.[17] The goal against the 🏵 latter club was the only goal of the match.[18] Griezmann appeared consistently in the team for the rest of the 🏵 season, scoring two more goals in wins over Cádiz and Numancia as Real Sociedad earned promotion to La Liga for 🏵 the 2010–11 season as league winners.[19][20][21] On 8 April 2010, Griezmann signed his first professional contract agreeing to a five-year 🏵 deal with the club until 2024 with a release clause of €30 million.[22] Prior to signing the contract, he drew 🏵 considerable interest from Ligue 1 clubs Lyon, Saint-Étienne and Auxerre.[23] As he developed with a Basque club, he was also 🏵 potentially available to play for local rivals Athletic Bilbao, in spite of being born and growing up in the non-Basque 🏵 areas of France.[24][25][26]
Griezmann made his debut in La Liga on 29 August 2010, in the season's first match. In a 🏵 post-game interview, he described the occasion as "fulfilling his childhood dream".[27] In the team's first match after the September international 🏵 break, Griezmann assisted on the equalising goal scored by Raúl Tamudo against Real Madrid. Madrid later won the match 2–1 🏵 following a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.[28] On 25 October, Griezmann scored his first goal in the league in a 3–0 🏵 victory over Deportivo La Coruña.[29] He celebrated the goal by pretending to drive a truck that was parked near the 🏵 field.[30] A week later, Griezmann scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win over Málaga.[31] In November 2010, Griezmann scored 🏵 the only goal in the team's 2–1 loss to Hércules.[32] In the team's second match of the new year, he 🏵 netted the second goal in the team's 4–0 victory over Getafe.[33] After going scoreless in the next nine matches, Griezmann 🏵 returned to his scoring form in March, scoring the only goal for Sociedad in the team's 2–1 defeat to Racing 🏵 Santander.[34]
2011–2014: Individual success [ edit ]
Griezmann playing for Real Sociedad in 2012
After sitting out the first league match of the 🏵 2011–12 campaign, in Griezmann's first competitive match of the season against the defending champions Barcelona two weeks later, he scored 🏵 the equalising goal in a 2–2 draw.[35]
In the final league game of the 2012–13 campaign, he scored the only goal 🏵 of the game against Deportivo La Coruña, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2003–04 🏵 while also relegating Deportivo.[36]
At the start of the following season, Griezmann scored on a volley against Lyon in his home 🏵 nation of France which helped Real Sociedad qualify for the Champions League group stage (4–0 on aggregate).[37] Another important goal 🏵 was also on a volley, this time against Athletic Bilbao in a Basque derby league match at Anoeta Stadium in 🏵 January 2014 which ended in a 2–0 victory for Real.[38]
Atlético Madrid [ edit ]
2014–15: Debut season [ edit ]
Griezmann playing 🏵 for Atlético Madrid in 2024
On 28 July 2014, Atlético Madrid reached an agreement with Real Sociedad for the transfer of 🏵 Griezmann, for a fee believed to be close to his €30 million (£24 million) buy-out clause.[39][40] He passed the medical 🏵 examination the same day and signed a six-year contract on 29 July.[41][42] He made his debut in the first leg 🏵 of the 2014 Supercopa de España on 19 August, a 1–1 draw away to Real Madrid, replacing Saúl after 57 🏵 minutes.[43] On 17 September, he scored his first goal for the club, in a Champions League group stage match against 🏵 Olympiacos, in a game which Atlético eventually lost 3–2.[44] Griezmann netted a brace, his first league goals for the club, 🏵 in a 4–2 win over Córdoba on 1 November.[45] On 21 December 2014, he scored his first La Liga hat-trick 🏵 as Atlético won 4–1 at Athletic Bilbao, having trailed at half-time.[46] He was the La Liga Player of the Month 🏵 for January 2024 despite appearing in only three of Atlético's five matches.[47]
On 7 April 2024, Griezmann scored the second in 🏵 a 2–0 home victory over Real Sociedad. Out of respect to his formative club, the celebrations were minimal.[48][49] Two weeks 🏵 later he scored a brace against Elche in a 3–0 home win, bringing him to a total of 22 goals 🏵 in the league season, overtaking Karim Benzema for the highest total by a French player in a single Spanish top-division 🏵 campaign.[50] He finished the season with 22 goals in 37 games, and was selected as the only Atlético player and 🏵 one of three forwards in the Team of the Year at the LFP Awards, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.[51]
2024–2024: 🏵 Rise to prominence [ edit ]
Griezmann (right) playing for Atlético Madrid against Rostov in 2024
On 22 August 2024, Griezmann scored 🏵 the only goal as Atlético began the season with a home victory over promoted Las Palmas.[52] He scored both of 🏵 the goals on 15 September, as they won at Galatasaray in the Champions League group stage.[53] A week later, he 🏵 repeated the feat to defeat local neighbours Getafe and put Atlético on top of the league.[54] On 18 October, in 🏵 his return to Real Sociedad, Griezmann chipped goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli in the ninth minute of a 2–0 away win (as 🏵 in the fixture six months earlier, he did not celebrate the goal).[55]
On 27 February 2024, Griezmann scored the only goal 🏵 as Atlético won away to Real Madrid.[56] On 13 April, he scored both goals in a 2–0 quarter-final second leg 🏵 win at the Vicente Calderón Stadium that knocked holders Barcelona out of the Champions League.[57] On 3 May, he scored 🏵 the decisive away goal against Bayern Munich in the semi-final second leg at the Allianz Arena to send Atlético to 🏵 the final.[58] Griezmann hit the crossbar with 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 28 May. He scored in the penalty shootout 🏵 after the match had ended 1–1 after extra time, but Atlético ultimately lost 5–3.[59]
On 23 June 2024, Griezmann signed a 🏵 new contract with Atlético, which would keep him at the club until 2024.[citation needed] On 1 November 2024, Griezmann scored 🏵 both of Atlético's goals (with his second in the 93rd minute) in their 2–1 home win against Rostov in a 🏵 2024–17 Champions League Group D match (in which he was voted the Player of the Match) to enable Atlético to 🏵 progress to the round of 16 with two matches to spare. On 2 December 2024 Griezmann got third in the 🏵 Ballon d'or ranking behind Lionel Messi and the winner Cristiano Ronaldo.[60][61] On 22 April 2024, he scored the only goal 🏵 of a win away to Espanyol, thus becoming the second Frenchman after Karim Benzema to score 100 La Liga goals, 🏵 which he did in 247 games.[62]
After another trophyless season, and amid speculation that he could leave Atlético for Manchester United 🏵 after the conclusion of the 2024–17 season, he extended his contract at the club by one year in June 2024, 🏵 after learning that Atlético was given a transfer ban and that it could not sign a replacement.[63][64] His reported release 🏵 price was also raised to €100 million (£87 million).[citation needed]
2024–18: UEFA Europa League win [ edit ]
Griezmann with Atlético Madrid 🏵 in 2024
On 19 August 2024, Griezmann earned his first red card during a draw against Girona and received a two-match 🏵 ban. He was initially booked for diving in the penalty box, then his reaction of using foul language toward the 🏵 referee earned him a second booking.[65] He was named La Liga Player of the Month for February 2024 after registering 🏵 eight goals and two assists during the period, including scoring seven in four days (a hat-trick against Sevilla and four 🏵 against Leganés).[66] His second in the 4–0 win against the latter was his 100th goal for Atletico, becoming only the 🏵 third player of the 21st century to do so, after Sergio Agüero and Fernando Torres.[67]
He scored in the first leg 🏵 of the 2024–18 UEFA Europa League semi-final away to Arsenal and assisted Diego Costa for the only goal in the 🏵 return, contributing to Atlético's 2–1 aggregate victory and progression to the final, held in Lyon and against French opposition in 🏵 Marseille;[68] he then scored twice in the final as his club claimed the trophy for the third time in nine 🏵 years.[69]
After months of speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, which came after Atlético reported Barcelona to FIFA over 🏵 an alleged illegal approach for Griezmann in December 2024,[70] Griezmann signed a contract extension with Atlético on 19 June 2024 🏵 until 2024. This came days after he rejected a move to Barcelona.[71][72] He wrote a message to Atlético on social 🏵 media, "My fans, my team, MY HOME!!!" in Spanish, French and English along with a video in which he is 🏵 seen walking around Madrid.[72]
2024–19: Final season of first stint with Atlético [ edit ]
On 15 August, Griezmann started in Atlético's 🏵 4–2 extra-time win over Real Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn.[73] On Matchday 2 of the Champions 🏵 League, Griezmann scored a goal in both halves to give his team a 3–1 home win over Belgian champions Club 🏵 Brugge.[74] Later on Matchday 4 he scored Atletico's second goal against German side Borussia Dortmund as Atletico Madrid won the 🏵 reverse fixture at home by a 2–0 margin following a 4–0 defeat against the same opponents earlier in the competition 🏵 at the Westfalenstadion.[75] In the following game he again scored the second goal in a 2–0 win against French side 🏵 Monaco, to ensure his team's qualification for the next round of the Champions League.[76]
On 15 December, Griezmann played his 300th 🏵 league contest in the Spanish top division, a game in which he scored twice while setting up another, as Atlético 🏵 Madrid won 3–2 away to Real Valladolid.[77] In the following week, he scored his 200th career goal, from the spot 🏵 in a 1–0 win over Espanyol.[78] On 26 January, in a league fixture at home against Getafe, he scored his 🏵 10th league goal of the season in a 2–0 win as Atlético closed the gap between league leaders Barcelona to 🏵 just 2 points.[79] On 10 February, he scored in a 3–1 derby defeat against Real Madrid, equalling Fernando Torres' record-which 🏵 he later broke in the following week by scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win against Rayo Vallecano, to 🏵 become the fifth highest goalscorer in Atlético history with 130 goals.[80]
On 14 May 2024, Griezmann announced that he would be 🏵 leaving Atlético Madrid after five seasons, after being heavily linked to Barcelona, who reportedly intended to pay the €120 million 🏵 buy-out clause set by the club.[81]
Barcelona [ edit ]
Griezmann playing for Barcelona in 2024
On 12 July 2024, Barcelona announced the 🏵 signing of Griezmann to a five-year contract after activating his €120 million buy-out clause.[82] Later that day, however, Atlético Madrid 🏵 disputed Barcelona's deal to sign the player, stating that the fee paid falls €80 million short of his release clause, 🏵 claiming that Griezmann had agreed to move to the Nou Camp before 1 July 2024, when his €200 million buy-out 🏵 clause was lowered to €120 million.[83] Atlético later stated they have "started the procedures it considers appropriate for the defense 🏵 of its legitimate rights and interests" as a result of any deal, with reports in Spanish media suggesting the club 🏵 planned to go to football's governing body FIFA to argue their case.[84][85] On 14 July, he was presented at the 🏵 Camp Nou and was handed the number 17 shirt, and made his debut in a pre-season friendly in Japan against 🏵 Chelsea.[86] On the same day, some Atlético Madrid fans defaced Griezmann's plaque outside the Metropolitano Stadium,[87] as the club officially 🏵 submitted a complaint to La Liga, whose president Javier Tebas later stated "it is possible to block [Griezmann's] transfer", but 🏵 also noted "La Liga have [yet] to decide [the] course of action".[70] The transfer was eventually upheld.
Griezmann made his debut 🏵 for Barcelona on 16 August 2024 in a 1–0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao.[88] On 25 August, Griezmann scored a brace 🏵 and assisted during his home debut, which ended in a 5–2 win against Real Betis.[89][90] After substituting injured Ousmane Dembélé 🏵 after 26 minutes of the first half, he scored his first Champions League goal for the club on 27 November 🏵 in a 3–1 win against Borussia Dortmund, assisted by Lionel Messi. In their 2024–20 Supercopa de España match against Atlético 🏵 Madrid, Griezmann scored his side's second goal against his former club in an eventual 2–3 defeat.[91] Griezmann became the first 🏵 player of the season to score in every major competition for Barcelona when he netted a brace in the Copa 🏵 del Rey against Ibiza in a narrow 2–1 win.[92] On 25 February 2024, Griezmann scored Barcelona's equaliser in their 1–1 🏵 Champions League round of 16 draw against Napoli, becoming the first Barcelona player other than Messi to score a Champions 🏵 League away goal in the knockout stage since 2024.[93]
On 1 November 2024, Griezmann scored his first goal of the 2024–21 🏵 season in a 1–1 away draw against Alavés.[94] On 17 January 2024, Griezmann scored a brace in a 3–2 loss 🏵 against Athletic Bilbao in the 2024 Supercopa de España final.[95] On 3 February, Griezmann scored and assisted twice as Barcelona 🏵 made a comeback after being 2–0 down until the 88th minute to win 5–3 at the end of extra-time against 🏵 Granada in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.[96] In the 2024 Copa del Rey final, Griezmann scored the first 🏵 goal in a 4–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao and won his first trophy with Barcelona.[97][98]
Return to Atlético Madrid [ edit 🏵 ]
On 31 August 2024, Griezmann returned to Atlético Madrid on a one-year loan, with the option to extend the loan 🏵 by a further year, and complete with a conditional permanent transfer clause worth €40 million to be activated by 2024.[99][100][101] 🏵 He scored his first goal in his second spell at the club on 28 September, in a 2–1 comeback victory 🏵 away to AC Milan in the 2024–22 UEFA Champions League.[102] On 19 October, in a Champions League group match against 🏵 Liverpool at the Metropolitano Stadium, he scored a first half brace to level the score at 2–2, but was sent 🏵 off in the 52nd minute for serious foul play on Roberto Firmino in an eventual 3–2 defeat.[103]
At the start of 🏵 the 2024–23 season, Atlético Madrid extended Griezmann's loan for a further year. Since the club not want to trigger the 🏵 appearance-based €40 million obligatory buy clause included in the loan deal, his game time became limited to thirty minutes per 🏵 match.[104] On 7 September 2024, he scored a 90+11th-minute winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Porto in the group 🏵 stage of the 2024–23 UEFA Champions League.[105] On 10 October 2024, Atlético reached an agreement with Barcelona over the transfer 🏵 of Griezmann for a reported fee of €20 million, who signed a contract until 30 June 2026.[106][107] He went on 🏵 to record sixteen goals and sixteen assists across all competitions in the 2024–23 season, making him Atlético's top scorer, La 🏵 Liga's best assist provider, and the only player in La Liga with double numbers for goals and assists. Griezmann was 🏵 tied with Kevin De Bruyne and Lionel Messi for the most league assists in Europe's five major leagues.[108]
On 19 December 🏵 2024, Griezmann scored twice in a 3–3 draw with Getafe in La Liga. The strikes took him to 173 goals 🏵 for Atletico Madrid, equalling the record held by club legend Luis Aragonés.[109]
International career [ edit ]
Youth [ edit ]
Griezmann playing 🏵 for France U21s in 2011
Due to playing in Spain, Griezmann went unnoticed by several France youth international coaches.[110] After his 🏵 success with Real Sociedad, on 23 February 2010, he was named to the France under-19 team to play in two 🏵 friendly matches against Ukraine. On 2 March, Griezmann made his youth international debut appearing in the team's 0–0 draw with 🏵 Ukraine.[111] In the return leg two days later, he scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to give France 🏵 a 2–1 victory.[112] On 7 June, Griezmann was named to coach Francis Smerecki's squad to participate in the 2010 UEFA 🏵 European Under-19 Championship.[113] In the tournament, he scored two goals and provided an assist in the team's second group stage 🏵 match against Austria, a 5–0 win, as the national team eventually won the competition on home soil.[114][115][116] He was named 🏵 in the Team of the Tournament.[117]
Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 🏵 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which merited under-20 team appearances for Griezmann. On 28 September 2010, he was called up to 🏵 the team to participate in friendly matches against Portugal and the reserve team of Italian club Juventus. Griezmann, however, did 🏵 not appear in either match due to being sent home early after suffering a thigh injury during a training session.[118] 🏵 The following month, despite still being eligible to appear at under-20 level, he was called up to the under-21 team 🏵 by coach Erick Mombaerts as a replacement for the injured Gabriel Obertan to play in a friendly match against Russia.[119] 🏵 Griezmann made his under-21 debut in the match appearing as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 defeat.[120]
After appearing in two 🏵 matches with the under-21 team, Griezmann returned to under-20 level and made his debut with the team on 9 February 🏵 2011 in a 2–1 victory over England at the New Meadow, assisting Clément Grenier's equaliser.[121] On 10 June 2011, he 🏵 was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the U-20 World Cup. He made his debut in the competition 🏵 on 30 July 2011 in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts Colombia.[122] On 10 August, in France's Round of 🏵 16 match against Ecuador, Griezmann scored the game-winning goal in a 1–0 victory.[123]
Senior [ edit ]
2014–2024: Debut and UEFA Euro 🏵 2024 [ edit ]
On 27 February 2014, Griezmann received a call-up to France's senior squad by coach Didier Deschamps to 🏵 play in a friendly against the Netherlands at the Stade de France.[124] He earned his first cap on 5 March, 🏵 appearing as a starter in the 2–0 home win and playing the first 68 minutes.[125] On 13 May, he was 🏵 named in Deschamps' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[126] On 1 June, playing against Paraguay in Nice, he scored 🏵 his first international goal for France, opening a 1–1 draw. He added two more as a late substitute for Olivier 🏵 Giroud in France's final warm-up match, against Jamaica on 8 June, the final two in an 8–0 win.[127] On 15 🏵 June, he was selected to start in France's first match of the World Cup, replacing the injured Franck Ribéry on 🏵 the left side of the team's attack as they defeated Honduras 3–0 in Porto Alegre.[128] In the last 16 against 🏵 Nigeria, his pressure led to Joseph Yobo scoring a late own goal for a 2–0 French victory.[129] France were eliminated 🏵 in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Germany.[130]
Griezmann was chosen for France as they hosted UEFA Euro 2024, and started the 🏵 opening game, a 2–1 win over Romania.[131] For their performances, he and Paul Pogba were benched for the next game 🏵 against Albania at the Stade Vélodrome; Griezmann came on in place of Giroud in the second half and headed Adil 🏵 Rami's cross with the first shot on target in the last minute to open a 2–0 win.[132] In the last 🏵 16 against the Republic of Ireland in Lyon, he scored twice as the French recovered from a half-time deficit to 🏵 win 2–1, and was also fouled by Shane Duffy who was given a straight red card.[133]
On 3 July, Griezmann assisted 🏵 Pogba and Dimitri Payet before scoring himself in a 5–2 quarter-final win over Iceland; it was his first goal at 🏵 the Stade de France.[134] In the semi-finals against the country of his father's birth, Germany, four days later, he scored 🏵 twice in a 2–0 victory to lead France to their third European Championship final.[135] Following a 1–0 defeat to Portugal 🏵 in the final on 10 July, Griezmann won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, with six goals and 🏵 two assists in seven games, and was named the tournament's best player, also being named to the team of the 🏵 tournament.[136][137][138] His tally of six goals at the tournament was second only to the nine goals by compatriot Michel Platini 🏵 at UEFA Euro 1984.[137]
2024 FIFA World Cup [ edit ]
On 17 May 2024, Griezmann was called up to the France 🏵 squad for the 2024 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[139] On 16 June 2024, he suffered a foul in the box 🏵 and scored the resulting penalty kick to open the score in France's 2–1 over Australia in their opening match at 🏵 the tournament, which was the first penalty decision ever to be awarded in a World Cup match with the assistance 🏵 of the video assistant referee system.[140] On 30 June, Griezmann scored a goal from the penalty kick given for a 🏵 foul on Kylian Mbappé in a 4–3 victory over Argentina in their round of 16 match.[141]
In France's 2–0 victory over 🏵 Uruguay in quarter-finals of the tournament on 6 July, Griezmann first assisted Raphaël Varane's goal from a corner and later 🏵 scored a goal himself with a strike from outside the area following an error by Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.[142] Griezmann 🏵 did not celebrate his goal against Uruguay out of respect for his Uruguayan mentor and Uruguayan club teammates.[143] In the 🏵 semi-final against Belgium at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on 10 July, he set up the only goal of the 🏵 game from a corner, which was headed in by Samuel Umtiti.[144]
On 15 July, Griezmann was involved in several goals in 🏵 the final against Croatia, which France won 4–2.[145] With the score at 0–0 in the first half, France was awarded 🏵 a foul on Griezmann after a challenge from Marcelo Brozović. Commentators called that Griezmann had dived as he began falling 🏵 before Brozović made contact.[146][147] Griezmann took the ensuing 30-yard (27 m) free kick, which was headed by Mario Mandžukić into 🏵 his own net to give France the lead in the 18th minute.[148] Croatia equalised, but Griezmann scored a 38th-minute penalty 🏵 after the referee ruled for handball (via a video assistant review) to give France a 2–1 lead.[149] In the second 🏵 half, he passed to Paul Pogba in the build-up to the midfielder scoring the third goal for France.[150] For his 🏵 efforts, Griezmann was named man of the match,[151] and was also voted the third best player in the tournament behind 🏵 Luka Modrić and Eden Hazard, receiving the Bronze Ball.[152]
Griezmann playing for France in 2024
In May 2024, Griezmann received a call-up 🏵 for the postponed UEFA Euro 2024.[153] On 19 June, he scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against Hungary.[154]
Griezmann was 🏵 part of the national team which won the 2024 UEFA Nations League Finals.[155]
In November 2024, he was included in the 🏵 French squad for the 2024 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[156] On 10 December, he assisted both of France's goals as 🏵 they defeated England 2–1 in the quarter-finals.[157] He was later named man of the match in a 2–0 semi-final win 🏵 over Morocco.[158] Although France lost to Argentina in the final on penalties after a 3–3 draw,[159] Griezmann finished the tournament 🏵 as the joint-top assister with three assists.[160]
Player profile [ edit ]
Style of play [ edit ]
A quick, modern, and versatile 🏵 left-footed forward, with an eye for goal, Griezmann has been described as a "team player", and is capable of occupying 🏵 several offensive positions in or behind the main attacking line, due to his technical skills, vision, ability to drop deep 🏵 and link-up play between the forwards and midfielders, or score many goals: he has been deployed as a main striker, 🏵 in a central role as an attacking midfielder, as a second striker, as a false 9, or as a winger, 🏵 on either flank.[136][161][162][163][164] Griezmann is an accurate finisher with either foot from both inside and outside the area, and is 🏵 also good in the air and accurate with his head, in spite of his relatively small stature.[165]
In addition to his 🏵 ability to score and create goals, he has also been praised for his work-rate, attacking movement, positional sense, and ability 🏵 to interpret the game, which, combined with his pace, mobility and energy, enables him to make effective attacking runs to 🏵 beat the defensive line.[166][167][168] He has been noted by various sources as having a comparatively low rate of scoring from 🏵 penalties.[62][169][170][171]
Reception [ edit ]
UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu, who led the panel of technical observers that named Griezmann as 🏵 the best player of Euro 2024, said that he "works hard for his team and possesses technique, vision and quality 🏵 finishing" and branded him "a threat in every game he played".[136] While his club form for Barcelona remained sub-par, Griezmann's 🏵 performances for the France national team prompted head coach Didier Deschamps to label him "one of the greatest players of 🏵 all-time".[172]
Personal life [ edit ]
Since 2011, Griezmann has been in a relationship with Erika Choperena, a Spanish native of the 🏵 Basque Country. They got married on 15 June 2024.[173] They had their first child, a daughter, in April 2024.[174] The 🏵 couple's second child was born in April 2024. In April 2024, the couple had their third child, a daughter; all 🏵 three siblings share the same birthday.[175] Griezmann is Catholic.[176][177]
Griezmann's sister was a survivor of the siege of the Bataclan theatre 🏵 in the November 2024 Paris attacks, which took place as he was playing against Germany at the Stade de France, 🏵 which was also site of an explosion in the same attacks.[178][179][8][180]
Antoine's father became the president of UF Mâconnais in 2024, 🏵 the club for which Antoine played in his youth.[181]
Griezmann has a sponsorship deal with German sportswear company Puma, and has 🏵 appeared in commercials for the company.[182] His 'Hotline Bling' goal celebration features in a 2024 Puma commercial.[182] Puma unveiled Griezmann's 🏵 own custom made football boots, PUMA Future 18.1 "Grizi", in December 2024.[183]
Griezmann features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series: 🏵 he appears on the cover of the French edition of FIFA 16 alongside global cover star Lionel Messi, having been 🏵 selected for the role by public vote.[184] Ahead of Euro 2024, Griezmann featured in advertisements for Beats Electronics headphones, alongside 🏵 Harry Kane, Mario Götze and Cesc Fàbregas.[185] He has a dancemove named after him in the popular French novelty song 🏵 "Logobitombo (Corde à sauter)".[186]
In 2024, the documentary film Antoine Griezmann: The Making of a Legend, which depicted the player's career, 🏵 was released.
Griezmann is a brand ambassador for Head & Shoulders shampoo and Gillette, and has featured in several football themed 🏵 television commercials.[187] In 2024 he became a global brand ambassador for Chinese technology company Huawei; however, in December 2024, Griezmann 🏵 formally cut ties with the company, citing "strong suspicions that [Huawei] has contributed to the development of a 'Uighur alert' 🏵 thanks to facial recognition software".[188]
Griezmann became the brand ambassador for Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card games on 6 June 2024. Originally, a 🏵 special card inspired by him would be released later the year. However, following the video where Griezmann was seen laughing 🏵 at derogatory racial comments made by teammate Ousmane Dembélé surfaced online in July 2024, Konami announced they had terminated Griezmann's 🏵 contract as the brand ambassador.[189]
Grizi Esport [ edit ]
In January 2024, Griezmann launched the esports organisation, Grizi Esport.[190][191] The organisation 🏵 has acquired Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, and FIFA players.[192][193] On 11 October 2024, it was announced by Grizi Esport that 🏵 the organisation would "Stop momentarily with all of their Esports-related activities." As of December 2024, the organisation has not posted 🏵 an update regarding the future of Grizi Esport.[194]
Controversies [ edit ]
On 17 December 2024, Griezmann caused controversy by sharing a 🏵 photo of himself dressed as a Harlem Globetrotter on his social media accounts; the outfit included blackface and an afro 🏵 wig. After severe criticism, Griezmann deleted the posts and made an apology, saying "I admit it is awkward on my 🏵 part. I am sorry if I have offended anyone."[195]
In July 2024, video footage of Griezmann along with teammate Ousmane Dembélé 🏵 circulated online, whereby he was seen laughing at derogatory racial comments made by Dembélé against the Japanese technicians in their 🏵 hotel room.[196] As the technicians appeared to be troubleshooting the room's television, Dembélé made comments towards Griezmann in French, stating 🏵 "All these ugly faces, just so you can play PES, aren't you ashamed?", continuing with "What kind of backward language 🏵 is that?" before zooming in while laughing on one of the technicians faces, mentioning "Are you technologically advanced in your 🏵 country or not?"[197][198] Griezmann apologised for the video on Twitter, but denied accusations of racism, saying "I completely refute the 🏵 accusations against me and I am sorry if I have offended my Japanese friends. I have always engaged against all 🏵 forms of discrimination. For a couple of days now some people want to pass me for a man that I 🏵 am not."[199]
Career statistics [ edit ]
Club [ edit ]
As of match played 3 January 2024[200]
International [ edit ]
As of match 🏵 played 21 November 2024[201]
Appearances and goals by national team and year National team Year Apps Goals France 2014 14 5 🏵 2024 10 1 2024 15 8 2024 10 5 2024 18 7 2024 11 4 2024 8 3 2024 16 🏵 9 2024 15 0 2024 10 2 Total 127 44
As of match played 12 September 2024 France score listed first, 🏵 score column indicates score after each Griezmann goal
Honours [ edit ]
Griezmann holding the FIFA World Cup Trophy in 2024
Real Sociedad
Atlético 🏵 Madrid
Barcelona
France U19
France
Individual
Orders
