While he is still licking his lips at reaching the final of the Copa del Rey (Obed Vargas was on the bench) aware of his great performance against Barcelona, Antoine Griezmann has not yet made public what his future will be from March 26, the deadline in the MLS transfer market, while his options are only two: to stay at Atletico Madrid or accept the offer from Orlando City.
It is until that moment that Los Leones will wait for the Frenchman, who at one point Rayados dreamed of signing, to offer him a contract with the status of Franchise Player (known in the United States as the ‘Beckham Law’), a deal that would equate him to what Lionel Messi earns at Inter Miami.
Griezmann, who has a contract with Atletico Madrid until June 2027, in which he earns €4 million every 12 months, would not have any obstacles from the Madrid club to cut that link if the player decides to make the leap to soccer in a country that the Frenchman loves, remembering his passion for the NFL.
Million-dollar contract
The deal that could have been agreed between the player and the club is that Griezmann would have a guaranteed salary similar to what Lionel Messi receives in Miami ($12 million). This figure would rise to around $20 million with sponsorship deals, an additional gain to what is set by MLS regulations, which could be higher depending on the impact of his arrival on the American soccer market.
It is not only the economic aspect that attracts Griezmann to leave Atletico Madrid, but also the fact that he could prepare for the 2026 World Cup with greater footballing continuity than he is being offered by Diego Simeone in the Spanish team, who does not consider him a starter in his team, depriving his preferences for Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth.
The only problem for Antoine would be to leave the team without being able to play in the final of the Copa del Rey, in which he was so participative in the semifinals against Barcelona. He scored a goal in the 4-0 win and played 90 minutes in the 3-0 win. That decisive match is scheduled for April 18, a date that is after the closing of the MLS transfer window.
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