Antoine Griezmann is hoping to end his legendary Atletico Madrid career on the highest of highs as he prepares for what will be an emotional night at the Metropolitano Stadium. This definitely will be Antoine Griezmann’s final home Champions League match for Atletico Madrid, and it could also be the end for Koke. Both players are so synonymous with Diego Simeone’s 15-year reign at Atletico, and this does feel like the end of one generation passing into another.
Griezmann, 35, is coming to the end and has agreed to go to Major League Soccer this summer, so he will be guaranteed a big night. It is less certain for Koke, who is 34, because he could yet sign a new deal before his current contract expires this summer. But for Griezmann, it will be hugely significant because he will go down as one of the best of his generation in Europe. A hero for France and serial winner, he is also in the top 20 of Champions League scorers with 44 goals in 118 appearances.
He also made his own role as not an out-and-out striker but one who links play, is clever with his movement, and really makes teams tick. Griezmann is also a character, and who can forget when he did that goal celebration at the Emirates and brought the computer game Fortnite into the wider public consciousness? He just buzzes as a nice, bright person who has had a positive effect on Atletico and has maybe changed the perception, still widely held in England, that the team is defensive, tough, and awkward under Simeone.
This team is more expansive with the likes of Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman among others, and that is partly thanks to Griezmann. Yes, his best days are gone, but the connection is as strong as ever. He left Atletico for Barcelona in 2019 but is back and is still dreaming of glory after near misses. This is Atletico’s fourth Champions League semifinal under Simeone, and Griezmann says success “would heal a very deep wound.”
Griezmann added in an interview with UEFA: “When I joined, I felt the same feeling twice over. The word would be something way beyond love. Love for the club’s colours, the club’s badge and love for football, because the fans love football, and love for hard work – I think that’s why I quickly bonded with the club and its fans.” The connection, love affair, and that spirit from within is a huge advantage for Atletico because they revel in being the underdogs and upsetting the odds. Arsenal better beware, because there are strong forces at play again.
