Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann attended local schools in his hometown of Mâcon before leaving France at the age of 14 to pursue his football dreams in Spain.

He continued his secondary education while living in Bayonne and commuting daily to the Real Sociedad youth academy in San Sebastián, learning Spanish and developing his technical skills in a foreign environment.

Antoine Griezmann's path to professional football was highly unconventional, as he was repeatedly rejected by several French youth academies for being deemed too small and fragile. His breakthrough came when he was scouted by Spanish club Real Sociedad during a youth tournament in Paris. Moving to Spain at 14, he rapidly developed in their academy and made his senior debut in 2009. He spent five highly successful seasons in the Basque Country, helping the club gain promotion to La Liga and eventually qualifying for the Champions League.

His standout performances earned him a major transfer to Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2014. Under the intense tactical system of manager Diego Simeone, Griezmann transformed from a traditional winger into a complete, hard-working forward. He quickly became the talisman of the team, leading them to a Champions League final in 2016 and winning the UEFA Europa League in 2018. His incredible goalscoring record and relentless pressing made him one of the most revered players in world football.

In 2019, Griezmann made a highly controversial and expensive transfer to FC Barcelona. Despite winning the Copa del Rey, his time in Catalonia was largely perceived as underwhelming, as he struggled to find his optimal position in a system built around Lionel Messi. Recognizing that his heart remained in Madrid, he orchestrated a dramatic return to Atlético Madrid, initially on loan in 2021 before the move was made permanent. His return was ultimately highly successful, as he won back the fans' affection through his sheer dedication.

By 2026, Griezmann has firmly etched his name into Atlético Madrid's history books. In early 2024, he famously broke Luis Aragonés's long-standing record to become the club's all-time top goalscorer. He recently signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2027, reaffirming his deep loyalty to Simeone's project. As a veteran leader, he continues to orchestrate the team's attack, providing crucial goals and assists in both domestic and European competitions.

Internationally, Griezmann's legacy with the French national team is completely legendary. He was the absolute engine behind France's 2018 FIFA World Cup victory, earning the Bronze Ball as the tournament's third-best player. He also won the Golden Boot at UEFA Euro 2016. Known for an incredible streak of playing 84 consecutive matches for Les Bleus, he officially retired from international football in 2024, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of French football.

Antoine Griezmann is married to Erika Choperena, a Spanish child psychologist whom he met during his early days playing for Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. The couple married in a private ceremony in Toledo in 2017 and have maintained a very strong, supportive relationship. Remarkably, all three of their children—Mia, Amaro, and Alba—were born on the exact same date, April 8, in different years (2016, 2019, and 2021). Griezmann is a devoted father who heavily guards his family's privacy from the intense Spanish media.

In his personal time, Griezmann is famous for his absolute obsession with American sports and culture. He is a massive fan of the NBA, specifically following Derrick Rose and the Brooklyn Nets, and frequently travels to the United States during the off-season to attend games. He also deeply loves the NFL and has expressed a lingering dream to become an NFL kicker after he retires from professional soccer. He is also a passionate owner of several racehorses, frequently attending equestrian events in France.

Griezmann is highly active in the gaming and esports community. He founded his own esports organization, Grizi Esport, which competed in various popular gaming titles before suspending operations. He is also known for his distinct fashion choices and frequent hair color changes, making him a unique cultural icon. Philanthropically, he supports various children's charities in France and famously donated his entire World Cup winning bonus to charitable causes in 2018.