Antoine Griezmann heads into 2024 one strike away from becoming Atletico Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The 32-year-old recent double against Getafe took him to 173 goals for Los Colchoneros, equalling the record held by club legend Luis Aragones.
Having initially joined from Real Sociedad in 2014 the Frenchman controversially departed from Barcelona five years later before re-joining in the summer of 2021 albeit on loan before it was turned into a permanent stay.
Griezmann managed 133 strikes across 257 matches in his first stint and has to date registered 40 goals from 108 outings since returning. Luis Jr, the son of club legend Luis Aragones (who passed away in 2014 aged 75), reflected on Griezmann’s exploits subsequently putting Atleti’s current number seven ahead of his father.
Griezmann ? Luis Aragonés pic.twitter.com/y0kKBQNrrS
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) December 23, 2023
“Griezmann is a magnificent footballer. He is extraordinary. Maybe more complete because now there are more and better training. They train better now. They are both smart and know how to position themselves well on the field,” he told AS.
“My father took free-kicks better. He stayed 20 minutes after training to hit them. My father didn’t get wrinkled for anything. In leadership capacity and mental strength he surpasses Griezmann. Griezmann has time to acquire more maturity in that sense. He also surpassed him in athleticism. My father fought for it and Griezmann didn’t.
“My father showed it when he left Mallorca in the Champions League and came to Atleti as a second player to promote him to first team. Griezmann hasn’t fought like my father. Now he is from Atlético, but all the fans remember how he went to Barcelona.”
Griezmann can set the new benchmark when Atletico Madrid visit La Liga surprise package Girona on January 3.
He also concluded 2023 as La Liga’s most prolific goalscorer (21 goals) and creator (13 assists).