Griezmann to Orlando: A strange farewell for the club's all time top scorer

Calle Alcalá 94, Salamanca district, Madrid. On the evening of June 22, a collectible card shop called Grizzi Cards held a private opening party. The owner, who will fly to Florida to play soccer in two weeks, signed a lease and invested in renovations in the city's most expensive neighborhood. He posted an "Opening soon" video on TikTok, casually racking up 107,000 likes.

He's about to retire in the MLS but is still opening a physical store in the heart of Madrid. Don't mention sentiment; this is business.

Second on Atlético Madrid's all-time scoring list is Luis Aragonés with 173 goals. Griezmann has 212 goals, a gap of 39. That difference is enough for a La Liga Golden Boot winner to play two full seasons. On May 28, 2016, at Milan's San Siro, the 48th minute of the Champions League final, Griezmann stepped up for a penalty and hit the crossbar. Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid, penalty shootout 5-3. That spot kick hitting the bar also broke his Champions League final luck.

In July 2019, Barcelona triggered his €120 million release clause and took him away. Two years later, in August 2021, Griezmann returned to Atlético on loan, with a €40 million buyout clause in the contract. In October 2022, Atlético made the deal permanent, renegotiating the price: €20 million fixed, plus around €4 million in add-ons. Barcelona took a 60% loss on the books. On May 17, 2026, at the Metropolitano, Atlético beat Girona 1-0 at home, with Griezmann assisting the only goal. After the match, 70,000 fans gave a standing ovation, and teammates and coaching staff lined up to pay tribute. Standing in the center of the pitch, he said: "Please forgive me. I was young and I made a mistake to join Barcelona."

Ten years of youth, 212 goals, exchanged for "I made a mistake when I was young." The Barcelona chapter turned easily, and Atlético's books balanced neatly. On March 24, 2026, both sides announced his free transfer departure, with a contract running through the 2027-28 season, plus a one-year renewal option. Zero transfer fee. The club's all-time top scorer left, and Atlético didn't get a single penny from him.

Orlando City's total salary ranks 27th in the MLS, fourth from last. Griezmann lands in Florida taking over a leaking sieve. On March 11, the team started the season with three straight losses, and head coach Óscar Pareja and the club parted ways by "mutual agreement." The 39-year-old Argentine assistant coach Martín Perelman became interim head coach the same day. As of Griezmann's arrival, he's still interim.

Conceding 23 goals in the first six games, Orlando City set the worst defensive start record in MLS history, surpassing Minnesota United's 22 goals. On April 4, they were hammered 6-0 away by LAFC, and on March 21, they lost 5-0 to Nashville. 13th in the East, with just 4 points from 15 games. When Griezmann signed, he was still saying the usual lines: "From my first conversations with the club I felt the ambition and the desire to build something special."

Messi and Son Heung-min are comfortably getting paid in the MLS, but Griezmann has plunged headfirst into a pit without even a permanent head coach. He joins as a Designated Player, with his salary exceeding the league's salary cap. The exact figure hasn't yet entered the MLSPA's official salary guide—that guide is current as of April 16, and he only registered in July. Media estimates put his annual salary between $10 million and $15 million, possibly reaching $20 million including sponsorships. Top salary, filling a bottomless pit.

July 22, Wednesday, away to San Jose Earthquakes. PayPal Park, kickoff at 7:30 PM local time. This is Griezmann's expected debut. From the nearly 80,000-seat San Siro to the 18,000-seat PayPal Park. The Frenchman steps onto the pitch, facing a defense that conceded 23 goals in the first six games. No one expects him to plug all the holes, but the bill has already been sent.