Atletico Madrid Star Antoine Griezmann Delays MLS Move

The French forward will stay with Atletico Madrid to pursue Copa del Rey glory.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has decided to delay a potential move to Major League Soccer's Orlando City and will remain with the Spanish club for the rest of the season. Griezmann, 34, had an offer to join Orlando City as a designated player, but has put those plans on hold to focus on helping Atletico win the Copa del Rey title.

Why it matters

Griezmann is Atletico Madrid's all-time leading scorer and a key player for manager Diego Simeone. His decision to stay will boost Atletico's chances of winning the Copa del Rey, a trophy they have not won since 2013.

The details

Griezmann had been in talks to join Orlando City before the end of March, but the MLS club could not guarantee the offer would still be available in the summer. Instead, Griezmann has opted to stay with Atletico Madrid for at least a few more months to pursue the Copa del Rey title. Atletico reached the final after defeating Barcelona in the semifinals.

  • Atletico Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final on March 4, 2026.
  • The Copa del Rey final will take place on April 18, 2026.

The players

Antoine Griezmann

A 34-year-old French forward who is Atletico Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer.

Diego Simeone

The manager of Atletico Madrid who has convinced Griezmann to stay with the club for the rest of the season.

Orlando City

An MLS club that had offered Griezmann a designated player contract, but could not guarantee the offer would still be available in the summer.

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What’s next

Griezmann will now focus on helping Atletico Madrid win the Copa del Rey final on April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

Griezmann's decision to stay with Atletico Madrid for the rest of the season demonstrates his commitment to the club and their pursuit of a trophy. It also highlights the continued appeal of European football for top players, even as MLS continues to grow in stature.