Mansion Sports – Antoine Griezmann finally provided an explanation regarding the major speculation linking him with a move to the Major League Soccer club, Orlando City.

Although the interest from North America was very strong, the striker from France emphasized his desire to continue playing at the Metropolitano Stadium.

He is determined to continue his journey with Atletico Madrid while strengthening his position as one of the greatest legends in the history of the club known as Los Rojiblancos, by remaining a central figure within the team.

Griezmann Explains the Certainty of His Future

The interest from Orlando City in the player who once won the World Cup is actually not a new matter.

The club’s sporting director, Ricardo Moreira, was even reported to have traveled several times to Spain to discuss the possibility of the transfer.

However, Atletico Madrid sporting director Mateu Alemany quickly calmed the rumors by emphasizing that Griezmann remains committed to the club that still binds him with a contract until June 2027.

After Atletico Madrid’s 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, a match in which he scored one goal and provided one assist, Griezmann confirmed that his future currently remains in the Spanish capital, not in Florida.

He also emphasized that he is still fully committed to the team’s project under the direction of Diego Simeone.

He stated that he feels very good being at the club at the moment and enjoys every moment he experiences.

According to him, the performance he shows on the field is sufficient to describe his attitude. He added that his plan is to remain until the end of his contract period, while various other discussions can be handled by other parties.

Ambition to Win Trophies with Atletico Madrid

One of the main reasons behind Griezmann’s decision is his desire to win major trophies with Atletico Madrid.

His main focus at the moment is the Copa del Rey, where his team is scheduled to face Real Sociedad in the final match on 18 April.

With the main MLS transfer window scheduled to close on 26 March, the player from France has no intention of forcing a move in the middle of the competition season.

He stated that winning trophies is both his dream and his main objective. Meanwhile Orlando City, which possesses “Discovery Rights” over him—a mechanism in MLS that gives priority to one club in the negotiation process for transferring players from outside the league—must postpone their attempt at least until 13 July if they wish to try again to recruit him.

A Missed Opportunity for Orlando City

The rejection became a disappointment for Orlando City who are currently experiencing a difficult period.

The club recorded the worst record in MLS with three defeats, scoring only three goals, and conceding eleven times.

They hoped that the presence of Griezmann could bring both attraction and star quality that could help them compete with rivals such as Inter Miami.

On the other hand, Diego Simeone welcomed the decision of his player positively.

He stated that he feels very satisfied with the dedication shown by Griezmann, while emphasizing that the player fully understands how important his role is in the history of Atletico Madrid.

The Trend of Football Stars Moving to MLS

Although for the moment he chooses to stay, Griezmann is still considered part of the trend of star players who could potentially continue their careers in MLS in the future, especially after Lionel Messi’s move to the league.

He has never concealed his admiration for the culture of the United States, so the possibility of playing there is viewed more as a matter of time rather than a possibility that will never occur.

For now, his main focus remains in Madrid, with the determination to create more historic moments together with Atletico Madrid while wearing the iconic red and white jersey.