Ten seasons go a long way. It is possibly impossible to summarize Antoine Griezmann’s red and white career in just seven moments. There will be a large number of memories that will remain in the pipeline, there is a reason he is the top scorer in Atlético’s history. His arrival, San Mamés as a turning point, the dream of the Champions League, 2018, the return and tears of gratitude, overcoming Luis and his relationship with Simeone. A review of his history, the history of the red and white top scorer.
A selfie to start the story
On July 29, 2014, Atlético announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann. The rojiblancos had reached an agreement with Real Sociedad for the Frenchman. 30 kilos to get one of the most promising players in the championship. A few days later, on the 31st of that same month, Antoine lived his first big day as a red and white player. “I didn’t think about it, Atlético is the League champion,” said the Frenchman in his presentation press conference. Vicente Calderón thus surrendered to his new star who immortalized the moment in a selfie which marked the beginning of his career until he became the club’s all-time top scorer.
A hat trick that changed the course
His first season as a red and white player made it clear that Simeone does not marry anyone. Atlético had just become champions and the Frenchman was starting his career in a big league. The process of converting that left-footed winger into a total footballer had begun. With Cholo trying to polish every detail of his new star, Griezmann took a while to become indisputable. It was in San Mamés where a hat trick against Athletic completely changed his destiny. Three goals that meant a definitive turning point for Antoine. Athletic precisely became one of his favorite victims.
Milan cut short the dream
The 15/16 Champions League was one of the great works of Griezmann. The Frenchman led Atlético to the Milan final with exhibitions against Barcelona and Bayern. Antoine scored a brace against the Blaugrana in the Quarterfinals and was in charge of sealing the tie against Bayern with a historic goal in Munich. That journey marked by two of the greatest feats of Cholismo was suddenly cut short in Milan. The Frenchman missed a penalty during the match and could not lead the team to lift their first Champions League. After having lost in Lisbon in 2014, Atlético was once again on the verge of its first European Cup. That penalty stayed with him forever.
The Europa League, at home
A double from Griezmann in Lyon put Atlético’s third Europa League on track. Simeone’s men beat Marseille in the final and emerged as champions. The European season had not started in the best possible way after falling out of the Champions League. A team that had touched glory several times was forced to play in the second continental competition. He was the favorite and did not miss the opportunity. Six goals from Antoine led Atlético to win the title. The final was played a few kilometers from his home and the Frenchman shone with his own light. His biggest title as a red and white in a year that culminated in winning the World Cup with France. Griezmann climbed to the third place on the Ballon d’Or podium. It was time to eat at Messi and Cristiano’s table.
The return and reconciliation
The end of the first stage as a rojiblanco meant a before and after in his relationship with the Atlético fans. His departure to Barcelona broke a bond that took a long time to recover. His return made it clear that the wounds had not yet healed. Two Champions League games, both against Porto, can be used as a measuring stick. In the first appearance by the Metropolitan on his return, the Frenchman heard whistles when he returned to the green of what had been his home. A year later, a goal against the same team left one of the most exciting moments of his career. Atlético won with time running out and Antoine kissed the shield. The circle was closed.
Top scorer in history
On January 10, 2024, Antoine Griezmann definitively entered the history of Atlético. The Frenchman scored his 174th goal against Madrid as a red and white player and surpassed Luis Aragonés. From that moment on, the number 7 entered all Atlético’s history books. Since then the counter has not stopped. Despite bad moments, the number of goals continued to increase to the current 212. There are still two games left to expand registration. Antoine’s first goal as a red and white player had been one night in September 2014 in Greece against Olympiacos. Goals in the League, Champions League, Europa League, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. Only the European Super Cup was left without Griezmann’s score.
El Cholo and his great work
Antoine Griezmann is without a doubt Simeone’s great work. The Argentine was the one who fought the most for his return and the one who once again brought out the best version of him. Turning him into a total soccer player was undoubtedly one of Cholo’s greatest processes. Together for ten seasons, the Argentine coach did not want to miss the opportunity to publicly thank the Frenchman for everything he meant to him and to Atlético during his time as a red and white. The coach took advantage of the press conference prior to the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Camp Nou to surrender to him. The setting was not chosen at random. The Frenchman returned to what had been his field to lead Atlético. It was the penultimate episode of a story that only has two games left.
