How Good is Antoine Griezmann?

Rejected by many clubs at a young age because of his size and lightweight frame. Antoine Griezmann would beat the odds and breakthrough to become one of the world’s top football players and a World Cup champion.

In this article, we will explore just how good Antoine Griezmann is, from his early years, to his style of play and his rise in the world of football.

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Early Years

Antoine Griezmann was born on the 21st of March 1991 in Mâcon, France, by father Alain Griezmann and mother Isabelle Griezmann. His mother is of Portuguese descent, and her father Amaro Lopes was a Portuguese footballer for Paços de Ferreira. 

Griezmann was born into a wealthy family due to his dad being a political figure in France. Griezmann’s father was rich enough to afford young Antoine everything he needed as a child to pursue his passion to become a professional football player and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather.

Griezmann began his career playing for hometown club Mâcon. He was a Lyon supporter as a kid and while at Macon, the young aspiring footballer embarked on several trials with professional clubs, including Lyon, in order to earn a spot in one of their youth academies, However, he was ultimately rejected due to concerns about his size and lightweight frame.

This didn’t stop the Frenchmen from pursuing his dream. In 2005, while on trial with Montpellier, Griezmann played in a friendly match against the youth academy of Paris Saint-Germain in Paris, and impressed several clubs, notably Spanish club Real Sociedad. Following the match, the club’s officials offered Griezmann a one-week trial in San Sebastián trial ground, which he accepted.

When he first arrived at Real Sociedad, Griezmann lodged with the club's French scout while attending school across the border in Bayonne, training in the evenings at the club's headquarters in San Sebastián. It took him time to break into Real Sociedad's first team, but after four years in the club's youth system he made his debut, called up by Martín Lasarte for Real Sociedad's 2009–10 pre-season campaign. In the pre-season, he scored five goals in four appearances and an injury to the team's regular left-winger led to Lasarte selecting him for the start of the season.

Style of Play

Griezmann has been described as a "team player", and is capable of occupying several offensive positions in or behind the main attacking line, due to his technical skills, vision, ability to drop deep and link-up play between the forwards and midfielders. Let's look at 5 key components he possesses:

1. Griezmann's versatility as a player allows him to adapt to different tactical systems and contribute to his team's attack from a variety of positions on the pitch. Whether he is playing as a striker, winger, or attacking midfielder, Griezmann is skilled at moving into positions that make it difficult for the opposition to mark him, thereby increasing the chances that he will be left free to receive possession.

2. Griezmann's clinical finishing sets him apart as a top-level player. His ability to score from various situations makes him a constant threat in front of goal. Griezmann is an accurate finisher with either foot from both inside and outside the area, and is also good in the air and accurate with his head, in spite of his relatively small stature.

3. In addition to his finishing ability, Griezmann is also an excellent playmaker. His vision and technical ability enable him to pick out passes and deliver accurate crosses into the box, creating opportunities for his teammates. He relishes dropping into deeper positions to receive passes to feet before turning and advancing play with a pass.

4. Griezmann's work ethic and defensive contributions also make him a valuable all-around player. He is willing to track back and defend when needed, providing support to his team's defense and helping to win back possession.

5. Griezmann's experience at the top level of European football is another factor that sets him apart as a top player. Having played for top clubs like Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, and represented the French national team at major international tournaments, this experience has helped him develop as a player and adapt to different styles of play.
   

National Level

Antoine Griezmann has been a key player for the French national team since making his senior debut in 2014. He has represented France at the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 & 2020 European Championship (where France reached the final in 2016), the 2018 World Cup, where he helped lead France to victory and was also voted the third-best player in the tournament behind Luka Modrić and Eden Hazard, receiving the Bronze Ball. and also the 2022 World Cup where France reached the final. He was also named the French Player of the Year in 2016.

Spanish Clubs

On 28 July 2014, Atlético Madrid reached an agreement with Real Sociedad for the transfer of Griezmann, for a fee believed to be close to his €30 million buy-out clause. He signed a six-year contract on 29th July.

Griezmann would stay at Atletico Madrid for 5 years scoring 133 goals in all competitions for the club, winning the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Supercopa de España, and La Liga Best Player. 

In 2019, Griezmann was the subject of a record transfer when signed for rivals Barcelona in a transfer worth €120 million, becoming the fifth-most expensive player of all time. There, he won a Copa del Rey, and scored a total of 35 goals in 102 appearances, before returning to Atlético Madrid on loan in 2021, and became the club's third-highest all-time top goalscorer. On 10th October 2022, Atlético Madrid reached an agreement with Barcelona over the transfer of Griezmann who signed a contract until 30th June 2026.