Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Antoine Griezmann said it was a lifelong dream of his to play in MLS after officially being presented as an Orlando City player.
Griezmann agreed an initial contract to run until the end of the 2027-28 campaign back in March but finished Atletico Madrid’s season before officially moving to the United States.
The Frenchman left Atletico as the club’s all-time top scorer with 212 goals in all competitions, and he also registered 95 assists, another team-high figure.
He is set to make his MLS debut away to the San Jose Earthquakes on July 22, when the league resumes following the World Cup break.
And it is a moment that Griezmann has been anticipating for a long time.
“Since I was 18, it was my dream to come to MLS,” Griezmann told reporters.
“It was very important for me to arrive in good physical and mental condition, and that’s why I took this step.
“I connected very well with the club, I loved the city, and my children are delighted.
“It has been incredible and unexpected for my family and me, and hopefully we can give that affection back.”
A welcome written in purple pic.twitter.com/xocEbFyU5M
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 8, 2026
He also noted that watching close friend Carlos Vela play for Los Angeles FC played a huge role in him wanting to move to the league.
“In the end, I think everything Carlos did with LAFC made me want to do the same,” Griezmann revealed.
“He is an incredible player for MLS and for his club. Hopefully, I can get close to that level.”
Griezmann is also targeting silverware with Orlando via a historic first title in the Leagues Cup, with their opening game in the tournament coming against Monterrey on August 5.
They will also face Leon and Atletico San Luis in their group, and Griezmann is looking forward to testing himself against the Mexican sides.
“It will be an honour to face Mexican teams in this competition, and hopefully we can give our fans something to celebrate,” he added.
“I’m here to win trophies, build a connection with the fans and help my team-mates grow, both professionally and personally.”
Another match on the 35-year-old’s radar is the Florida derby against former team-mates Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
The teams have already played their two regular-season fixtures against one another this year, but a meeting in the MLS Cup Playoffs is possible if they both qualify and go deep.
“They’ve told me a lot about the derby,” Griezmann said. “I watched the last one.
“It’ll be a joy to face Messi again, and also Rodrigo, who I have a very good relationship with.”
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