Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has spoken of his desire to finish up his career playing in the United States after watching Lionel Messi’s early performances with Inter Miami.
The record seven-time Ballons d’Or recipient completed a sensational move this summer and continues to light up the scoring charts.
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Yet to make his MLS debut, Messi has exclusively played Leagues Cup football with his new team, registering nine goals across six appearances.
Inter Miami, who are bottom of the Eastern Conference, face Nashville SC in the final at Geodis Park this weekend.
Lionel Messi scores the 63rd free-kick of his career… to win the game for Inter Miami… on his debut… in the last minute.
Of course. 🐐
(video via @MLS)
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 22, 2023
Griezmann, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona, feels his switch is nothing short of seismic and that his desire to follow in the Argentine’s footsteps has only grown.
“I’ve been following him (over in the US),” Griezmann began.
“Leo is the best in history, filling stadiums, scoring goals in all his games, he’s an incredible player. He’s the best thing the MLS has done for publicity. He is the image of soccer in the United States.”
He added: “It’s my goal to finish there, but in a condition to be able to win things. Firstly, I want to keep making history and try to win titles at Atletico Madrid.”
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Griezmann started in Atletico’s season-opener against Granada, in which Diego Simeone’s men ran out 3-1 winners at home. Griezmann wasn’t on the scoreboard but to date, across two spells at the Madrid-based club, he’s bagged 157 goals and created 76 more across 342 appearances in all competitions.
This season he will be donning the club’s number seven jersey, which Griezmann previously wore between 2014 and 2019. It last belonged to João Félix, whose future at the club remains up in the air.