Mansion Sports – Antoine Griezmann has reportedly postponed his long-anticipated move to Major League Soccer club Orlando City in order to remain with Atletico Madrid for the time being.

The French striker is driven by the ambition to end his personal trophy drought with the Spanish giant.

He has chosen to stay in Madrid to feature in the upcoming Copa del Rey final, thereby delaying his move to the United States until the summer transfer window.

The decision was made following recent developments in Atletico Madrid’s domestic campaign, which have opened the opportunity for Griezmann to conclude his time with a more rewarding achievement.

Transfer to MLS Postponed

According to a report by ESPN, Griezmann has decided to delay his potential transfer to Orlando City this season.

The Florida-based club had previously pushed for the deal to be finalized promptly, with the reported offer dependent on the arrival of the 34-year-old before the main MLS transfer deadline on March 26.

However, Atletico Madrid’s success in reaching the Copa del Rey final scheduled for April 18 has created a direct scheduling conflict.

Despite the risk that Orlando City may consider other options when the summer transfer window opens in July, Griezmann has chosen to prioritize his commitment to the club in the Spanish capital.

Ambition to Secure a Final Trophy

The primary motivation behind Griezmann’s decision is his strong desire to lift a major trophy again under the guidance of Diego Simeone.

Although he has scored a record 210 goals for the club, the last major title he won with Los Rojiblancos was the 2018 UEFA Super Cup.

He was also not part of the squad that won LaLiga in 2021 because he was representing Barcelona at the time.

Atletico Madrid reached the final despite suffering a 0-3 defeat to Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinal at Camp Nou last Tuesday. In the final, they will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao.

By staying, Griezmann has the opportunity to pursue his personal target of winning a trophy and potentially conclude his career at the club with a memorable moment.

Diego Simeone Respects the Player’s Decision

Diego Simeone has been open about the future of his key player and acknowledged that Griezmann has the right to determine the direction of his own career.

Following the intense match against Barcelona, the Argentine coach expressed his appreciation for the player.

He stated his hope that Griezmann will feature in the final because he deserves it the most.

This view is also aligned with the club’s management. Director of football Mateu Alemany emphasized that Griezmann remains committed to the team’s short-term objectives, including the Champions League match against Tottenham.

He mentioned that the player still has a contract for this season and the next two years, and is fully focused on the existing schedule.

Teammates Await Final Decision

The uncertainty regarding Griezmann’s future is also felt in the Atletico Madrid dressing room. Several senior players admitted that they do not yet know what final decision will be taken.

Team captain Koke stated that he does not know what will happen, but the entire team hopes that Griezmann can end his career at Atletico Madrid, although the decision rests entirely with the player.

Other players also expressed their full support for the veteran striker. Marcos Llorente stated that Griezmann will determine the best choice for himself and that the team will support whatever decision he makes.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Juan Musso praised Griezmann’s contributions and expressed his gratitude for everything he has given to the club.