THREE GAMES LEFT? WHY ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’S ATLéTICO CAREER COULD END ON MARCH 7TH
Griezmann to Orlando City: Discover the verbal agreement allowing a free transfer and the latest on the Tottenham UCL draw.
Diego Simeone admits he really doesn't know if Antoine Griezmann will stick around at Atlético Madrid until the end of the season, as the French forward’s talks with Orlando City heat up.
Earlier this week, ESPN reported that Griezmann is deep in negotiations with the MLS club, even though his contract with Atlético runs until 2027. Sources say both sides want to get the deal done now, and things are moving fast.
Griezmann isn’t just another player for Atlético; he’s their all-time top scorer and still one of their most important guys on the pitch. He’s already played 22 La Liga games this season, and the team’s got some serious matches coming up, including a Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Simeone, speaking earlier in the week, said Griezmann has earned the right to choose what comes next after everything he’s given the club.
“I already said it the other day,” Simeone told reporters on Friday before Atlético’s game at Oviedo. “I’m not going to keep repeating myself. We honestly don’t know what’s going to happen. Everyone knows how much Antoine means to us.”
Friday’s Champions League draw threw Atlético up against Tottenham, with the first leg in Madrid on March 10 or 11 and the return in London a week later.
After the draw, Atlético’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, tried to shut down the rumours. “Antoine has this season and two more years on his contract. He’s totally focused on what’s ahead. He’s playing great. Right now, we’re counting on him for tomorrow, for Tuesday, and for the Champions League. Everything else is just talk.”
But sources tell ESPN that Griezmann might actually leave sooner, with a possible farewell at home against his old club, Real Sociedad, on March 7.
If that happens, Griezmann would have just three more games in red and white: Oviedo on Saturday, Barcelona on Tuesday, and then Real Sociedad.
“We’re talking with Antoine,” Simeone said. “He knows what he means to us. There’s no need to pressure him. We just have to focus on what’s in front of us: Oviedo, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, and Tottenham. Big games.”
MLS’s transfer window closes on March 26 and then opens again in July.
Right now, all sides are working out the final details of the transfer, according to ESPN’s sources.
Simeone would have liked Griezmann to finish out the LaLiga season, then leave in the summer, but there’s a verbal agreement in place. Atlético promised Griezmann he could go for free whenever he decided it was time.
CR7 SPORTS TAKEOVER: INSIDE CRISTIANO RONALDO’S SHOCK 25% PURCHASE OF UD ALMERIA
Cristiano Ronaldo is now a club owner: Discover the details of his 25% stake in Almeria and his plans for a Man Utd takeover.
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t just thinking about life after football; he’s already making moves. The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend just bought 25% of Spanish second-division club Almeria, using his CR7 Sports company. He’s now part of the ownership group led by SMC Group.
Almeria sit third in the Segunda Division, only two points behind Racing, and they’re fighting hard for promotion to LaLiga. At 41, Ronaldo has talked for years about owning a club as his playing days wind down, and now he’s finally doing it.
With a net worth close to £900 million, he’s got the firepower to change a club’s fortunes. Right now, Al Nassr pays him £178 million a year, so money isn’t exactly an issue. In a statement on Almeria’s X account, Ronaldo said, “It’s been my dream to give back to football, not just as a player but in other ways too. UD Almeria is a club with solid roots and real room to grow. I’m excited to team up with the leadership and help push the club into its next phase.”
Almeria’s president, Mohamed Al Khereiji, sounded thrilled. “We’re very happy Cristiano chose us. He’s arguably the greatest ever, knows Spanish football inside out, and sees what we’re building here, both with the team and the academy.”
This could be just the beginning for Ronaldo. Some fans are already wondering if this is his first step toward owning Manchester United one day. The club’s still a mess behind the scenes. Michael Carrick has things going well on the pitch, but the Glazer family, the main owners, are as unpopular as ever. Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group, who run the football side, have faced heavy criticism, especially after some harsh budget cuts.
Ronaldo didn’t hold back about the Glazers in his explosive 2022 interview with Piers Morgan, which basically ended his second stint at United. He’s kept talking about the club’s problems since then. At the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in 2024, he even hinted he’d like to fix things as an owner. “The problem at Manchester United is the same,” he said. “It’s not always the coach. It’s much more than that. If I owned the club, I’d set things straight and fix what’s wrong.”
WORLD CUP UPDATE: GIANNI INFANTINO CONFIRMS NO CHANGES TO MEXICO’S 2026 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
World Cup 2026. Get the report on Infantino’s backing of Mexico and the "no risk" guarantee for fans.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he’s fully backing Mexico as one of the hosts for the 2026 World Cup, and he’s not worried about the country’s security issues getting in the way. FIFA’s keeping an eye on things, but right now, there are no plans to change the tournament schedule.
Everything’s still on track for the reopening of Estadio Azteca and the big intercontinental playoff matches next month. Infantino made it clear that FIFA is talking all the time with Mexico’s federal government and President Claudia Sheinbaum. He trusts them to pull off a great tournament.
“We’re watching what’s happening in Mexico,” Infantino said. “But right from the start, I want to say we believe in Mexico, in President Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities. We’re sure everything will go as well as possible.”
So, with the playoff matches just around the corner and massive logistics in motion, nothing’s getting derailed. FIFA and Mexican officials are still working closely together on everything from operations to security. Infantino confirmed the matches and the Azteca reopening are both happening as planned.
“We’ve got matches coming up in Mexico for the World Cup Playoff, and the stadium’s reopening too,” he said. “Mexico’s a great football country. Every place has its situations.”
FIFA keeps saying Mexico is right at the heart of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada. They’re sure the tournament will be safe and one big celebration.
“From my side, and for FIFA, we completely trust President Sheinbaum,” Infantino said. “We’re always in touch with the presidency and the authorities. We’re keeping up with everything. The World Cup’s going to be an incredible party.”
President Sheinbaum herself promised fans total security when the World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City.
“Every single guarantee,” she said when asked about safety. She brushed off any worries for visiting fans and added, “There’s no risk, none at all.”
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