Without a trophy since 2021, and no Champions League, LaLiga, or Copa del Rey titles, how will Griezmann’s legacy at Atlético be defined?
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Atlético Madrid will once again end the season empty-handed. On Tuesday, they lost the second leg of the Champions League semifinals 1-0 to Arsenal, courtesy of a goal from Bukayo Saka (45’). Despite the narrow scoreline, Atlético never appeared capable of overturning the deficit. This match also marked the final Champions League appearance for club legend Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman will leave the LaLiga side this summer to join Orlando City in Major League Soccer. But what mark has he left on Atlético? Griezmann has played 497 games for the Rojiblancos, scoring 212 goals and providing 99 assists. His 98 Champions League appearances rank him third in club history, behind only Koke (118) and Jan Oblak (106).
Griezmann sits fourth on the all-time appearance list for the club, and his 212 goals are the highest tally any Atlético player has ever recorded.
Performance Stats:
– Matches: 498
– Goals: 212
– Assists: 99
Those numbers should be enough to place him among the club’s greatest legends. However, part of the story is that Griezmann’s Atlético career ends without him winning the Champions League, LaLiga, or the Copa del Rey with the club. In fact, Atlético won LaLiga during his brief stint at Barcelona (2019-2022). Griezmann’s only major trophy with Atlético was the 2018 Europa League.
Antoine Griezmann – His Trophy Cabinet:
Atlético Madrid: Does Griezmann’s departure mark the start of major changes?
There were high expectations when Griezmann returned to Atlético in 2022. But in hindsight, the comeback may not have lived up to the hype. Indeed, the club has not won any silverware since lifting the league title in 2021. This season will mark five years without a trophy for Diego Pablo Simeone’s side. Therefore, Griezmann’s exit could not only signal the end of his era but also kick off a major rebuild, with significant changes to the squad and the club’s hierarchy.
