Antoine Griezmann assured that Major League Soccer has experienced significant growth since the arrival of Lionel Messi and stated that interest in soccer in the United States has increased significantly. The French forward made these statements during an MLS event in New York, a few days before making his official debut with Orlando City.
The former Atlético de Madrid player highlighted that more and more top-level soccer players choose the American league to compete and win titles. In that sense, he made it clear that his objective will be to contribute his maximum performance to help Orlando City fight for championships.
Griezmann’s debut and his new stage in the MLS
Griezmann will debut on July 22 against the San Jose Earthquakes, after two weeks of training and several friendlies with his new team. The Frenchman will wear number 7 and will share the squad with the Argentine Martín Ojeda.
The attacker explained that both he and his wife were convinced by the philosophy of the club and the city of Orlando, which is why they considered it was the ideal time to make the jump to the MLS. His contract with the American team will extend until the end of the 2027-28 season.
In addition, Griezmann took the opportunity to send a message of support to his former teammates from the Spanish and Argentine national teams, who will compete in the 2026 World Cup final. His arrival will also add a new chapter to the rivalry between Orlando City and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, two of the Frenchman’s old teammates at Barcelona, play.
