From light in the shade, the funny season of Antoine Griezmann

But where did Grizou go? Unrecognizable for several weeks, even several months, Antoine Griezmann confirmed his difficulties of the moment this Monday, April 14. On the occasion of the Liga match against Valladolid (4-2), the Atlético de Madrid playmaker was once again silent. At the finish, as at the last pass. Or the ninth consecutive match without being decisive for the 34 -year -old Frenchman. A rare vacuum in the career of the native of Mâcon, who even surprises his coach Diego Simeone. After the final whistle, the boiling Argentinian technician admitted that his generally flagship player was not in “his best period”.

First six months promising

“During all these years spent here at Atlético, he has always used us to be important and decisive by goals and assists,” also recalled El Cholo. So what's wrong with the former French international? Because everything had started well for him at the start of the 2024-2025 season. In the wake of a euro in frustrating and disappointing Germany with the Blues, and during which he tasted the sidelines several times, Antoine Griezmann launched his beating drum exercise. In December, the top scorer in the history of the Colchoneros already had 11 goals scored in all competitions for 6 assists. Promising statistics for a second part of the exciting season for Atlético, fight with Real and FC Barcelona at the head of the Liga, directly qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and in the King Cup race.

Delleted from the Blues

But beyond its efficiency and its weight in the results of its training, the 2018 world champion appeared fresh as a roach during the first months of competition. No later in December, Vladimir Weiss, coach of a Slovan Bratislava fell on a grizou of the big days in C1 (doubled), then called him “the most fit player in the world.” It must be said that in October and November, the Madrid has deleted for vouchers sometimes energy -consuming with the French team. Because at the end of that of September, the first since the Euro marked by the stinging defeat against Italy at the Parc des Princes (1-3), Antoine Griezmann announced against all expectations put a final end to his tasty connection with the French team. “After 10 incredible years, marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and give way to the new generation,” he wrote on his social networks on September 30. An end clap supposed to concentrate all his energy on his club career.

The X factor is not clear

For a while, only. Because the switch to winter time has dislocated the man's pendulum to 137 selections and 44 goals in the jersey struck with the rooster. If he still breaks records, like that of the most capped foreign player in the history of La Liga in front of Lionel Messi a few weeks ago, the ex-numéro 7 iconic of the Blues is struggling to be as impacting as usual. Accustomed to hyper-activity on the green rectangle to find itself both in a defensive withdrawal, the organization of the game and then at the conclusion, Antoine Griezmann now appears less sharp, heavy and decisive. Since his double registered in Seville on December 8 in Liga, the Frenchman has only marked five times for a assist. Too little for those who are generally the strong man of the Colchoneros, the detonator. This factor X costume, the former Barcelonais threw him in oblivion during the last major meetings of his team, whether in the knockout stages of C1 against the Real rival (elimination on penalties) or in the semi-final of the Spanish Cup against Barça (4-5 defeat on all two games).

An uncertain future

For the Spanish press, still as indelicate, he only doubts about 34 years old, the winner of the Europa League 2018 has “already exhausted his time at the high level” (Marca). So, really at the end of the Grizou race? If it clearly lacks oil in the engine in recent weeks, the Mâconnais would seem just as well disrupted by an uncertain future. Under contract until 2026 with Atlético, the former idol of the French team seems to be torn between pushing his adventure from a season or leaving to conquer the West. Because he has never hidden it: the attacking midfielder wishes to one day discover the United States and Major League Soccer (MLS), where his former selection friends Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud (Los Angeles FC) evolve. Which would probably look like the last dance of his career. According to recent information from The teamhis “decisión” would not yet be taken.

“I believe in him”

The uncertainty therefore hovers around the short -term future of the tricolor star, wedged between his desire to satisfy a final challenge in the USA and that of taking care of its outing with Atlético. In Madrid, where he feels perfectly. The player revealed at Real Sociedad would especially like to add a major trophy to his record and that of his club (almost) always. A Champions League, for example, which he came close to in 2016. Or, at least, a liga that he never had the honors to win. In the meantime, Antoine Griezmann seems to keep the very confidence of Diego Simeone, who “continues to put him holder” despite his vacuum. Because the South American knows him well: “It is because I believe in him and because I like how he plays.” He is not the only one. But time is running out to leave the shadow and find the light!

To summarize

Having become the shadow of himself in recent weeks, Antoine Griezmann has been going through a delicate period in Spain. After having started the 2024-2025 beating drum, the Atlético de Madrid playmaker in Madrid is however, who is struggling to be decisive in front of the cages and precious in the game, as he could get used to his world throughout his career. Simple air hole or end of race for the 34 -year -old French? Back in the last months spent by the 2018 world champion on the other side of the Pyrenees.