Antoine Griezmann has revealed where his next career move will be after his current Barcelona contract expires.
The 30-year-old forward, who is currently on international duty with France at Euro 2020, joined Barca from Atletico Madrid for £107m in the summer of 2019 and although he’s failed to show his best form since then, he remains a key player for the Blaugrana.
But Griezmann has always dreamed of moving to the United States one day and has now revealed his intention to cross the Atlantic once his current deal runs out in three years. Naturally, a number of MLS clubs will now be on high alert.
“I still have three years to go. I have to pay attention to my body, because at any time it can change,” said Griezmann. “My contract with Barcelona runs until June 2024 and after that, I think it will be the right time to go to the United States.
“I love this country, the culture, the NBA and the desire for adventure attracts me, but I also have a family that I would have to move out there.
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“I would like to end my career there but still be good enough on the pitch and win MLS, instead of coming in with nothing to give and looking like nothing on the pitch. That wouldn’t make sense.”
Deschamps: Griezmann is one of the greatest-ever players
Though he has struggled for consistency at club level since joining Barca, Griezmann has been a key player for France for a number of years now. The former Real Sociedad forward won the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2016 as Les Bleus reached the final on home soil, eventually losing 1-0 to Portugal.
He then scored four goals at the 2018 World Cup — including one against Croatia in the final — as France banished their demons and lifted the trophy for the second time.
Griezmann made his 50th consecutive start for France against Hungary on Saturday and his 93rd overall appearance under Deschamps. And the France manager believes Griezmann’s ability to singlehandedly influence a match and play so many consecutive games — avoiding injury along the way — makes him one of the “greatest players of all time”.
“He (will) beat a record, you’re right,” Deschamps told a press conference.
“Above and beyond the fact that he’s playing in consecutive games, and wonderfully so for him, for all his game-volume, he may not be 20 years old anymore, but he takes very good care of himself.
“He’s a professional and he’s managed to avoid the different injuries that he could have had. The statistics speak for themselves.
“You can see the influence that he has for the French national team, through the goals that he scores, through his assists.
“If we then add to that the capacity that he has to change the game, to get stuck in when we need to defend when we don’t have the ball, he’s one of the greatest players of all time, both in Europe and worldwide.”
