Antoine Griezmann Signs With Orlando City SC in MLS

Major League Soccer has landed another global superstar. On March 24, 2026, Orlando City SC officially announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann, the 35-year-old French forward and 2018 FIFA World Cup champion, marking one of the most significant player acquisitions in MLS history. The news sent shockwaves through the soccer world, confirming what many had speculated: the league's star-studded transformation is far from over.

Griezmann, who will officially join the Lions in July 2026 after completing the 2025-26 season with Atlético Madrid, becomes the latest in a growing line of elite European talent choosing MLS as their next chapter — following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, and Hugo Lloris. For Orlando City and MLS, this is more than a signing. It's a statement.

The Deal: What We Know About Griezmann's Move to Orlando City

According to NBC New York, Griezmann has signed with Orlando City on a contract running through the 2027-28 season, with an option for an additional year covering the 2028-29 season. He will occupy one of the club's coveted Designated Player spots, joining fellow DPs Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda to form what promises to be one of the most dynamic attacking trios in the Eastern Conference.

The French star will remain with Atlético Madrid through the end of the current campaign, which includes appearances in the Copa del Rey final and a high-stakes UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against arch-rivals Barcelona. With 13 goals across all competitions this season, Griezmann is hardly arriving in Florida on the back of a faded career — he remains a top-level performer in one of Europe's premier leagues.

Orlando City owner Mark Wilf did not mince words when addressing the magnitude of the signing, calling it "a historic moment not only for our club, but for our city, our fans, and Major League Soccer."

A Career Built on Greatness: Griezmann's Storied Legacy

To understand why this signing matters so much, you need to appreciate the scale of what Griezmann has achieved. The Mâcon-born forward has spent the better part of a decade as one of the most decorated players in world football.

• Atlético Madrid's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals in 488 appearances
• 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France, where he scored four goals including one in the final
• Reached the 2022 World Cup final with France, losing on penalties to Argentina
• Named LaLiga's best player during the 2015-16 season
• Finished third in Ballon d'Or voting in both 2016 and 2018
• Retired from international duty in 2024 with 137 caps and 44 goals for France

As MLS Soccer reports, Griezmann becomes the 20th FIFA World Cup winner in MLS history and the fifth active MLS player to have lifted the trophy. That's a club that now includes Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, Hugo Lloris, and others — a fact that would have seemed unimaginable just a decade ago.

The Inspiration Behind the Move: Messi and Müller's Influence

Griezmann didn't arrive at this decision in a vacuum. In interviews following the announcement, he revealed that two soccer legends specifically inspired his decision to move to MLS. According to MSN Sports, the experiences of fellow World Cup champions playing in the league gave him confidence that MLS could offer a compelling final chapter at the highest level of the game.

The pattern is clear: as elite players approach the latter stages of their careers, MLS has become an increasingly attractive destination — not just for the financial rewards, but for the quality of life, the growing competitiveness of the league, and the chance to grow the sport in North America ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Griezmann's arrival in Orlando comes at a pivotal moment for American soccer. The World Cup spotlight will shine brighter than ever on MLS clubs and their star players, and having a marquee name like Griezmann on the pitch will only amplify that attention.

What Griezmann Brings to Orlando City SC

Orlando City have been building steadily in recent years, but the acquisition of Griezmann elevates the club to a different stratosphere of ambition. Reports confirm that he slots in alongside Pašalić and Ojeda, giving head coach a Designated Player trio with deep experience across European football at the highest levels.

Griezmann's game has always been defined by intelligence rather than raw pace. His movement off the ball, his clinical finishing, his ability to drop deep and link play — these are qualities that translate well regardless of the league. At 35, he is unlikely to be the explosive athlete he was at 27, but his tactical sophistication and big-game experience are precisely the kinds of attributes that can raise the level of an entire squad.

For MLS fans in Orlando and across the league, here is what they can expect from Griezmann:

• A technically gifted forward with elite finishing from inside and outside the box
• A player who thrives in high-pressure situations — Copa del Rey finals, Champions League knockouts, World Cup finals
• A natural leader capable of mentoring younger players
• A massive commercial draw that will boost attendance, viewership, and merchandise sales

MLS's Ongoing Transformation Into a World-Class Destination

Griezmann's signing is part of a broader narrative reshaping how the world perceives American soccer. Just a few years ago, MLS was viewed primarily as a retirement league — a soft landing spot for players past their prime. That perception has shifted dramatically.

Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami in 2023 was the watershed moment, proving that the world's biggest star could not only come to MLS but thrive there. Since then, the floodgates have opened. Thomas Müller, Hugo Lloris, and now Griezmann have followed. Each signing reinforces the message: MLS is no longer just a final chapter — it's a legitimate chapter in itself.

The timing is also no coincidence. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be held across North America, there is enormous institutional interest in elevating the profile of soccer on the continent. MLS clubs signing elite international talent is both a cause and a consequence of that growing excitement. As Yahoo Sports notes, Griezmann's unveiling generated significant international media coverage — the kind of attention that lifts the entire league.

Frequently Asked Questions About Griezmann's Move to MLS

When will Antoine Griezmann officially join Orlando City?

Griezmann is scheduled to officially join Orlando City SC in July 2026. Until then, he will complete the 2025-26 season with Atlético Madrid, including the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona.

How long is Griezmann's contract with Orlando City?

His contract runs through the 2027-28 MLS season, with an option for an additional year covering the 2028-29 season. This gives the club up to three seasons with the French superstar.

What is a Designated Player in MLS?

A Designated Player (DP) is a player whose salary exceeds the MLS budget cap threshold, with the club paying a portion and the league subsidizing the rest. Each MLS team can have up to three DPs at any time. Griezmann will fill one of Orlando City's three DP slots alongside Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda.

Is Griezmann still playing at a high level?

Yes. Despite being 35 years old, Griezmann has recorded 13 goals across all competitions for Atlético Madrid this season and remains a key contributor in LaLiga and European competition. His technical qualities and football intelligence have always been viewed as attributes that age well.

How many World Cup winners are now in MLS?

With Griezmann's arrival, MLS will have the 20th FIFA World Cup winner in its history, and he will be one of five active MLS players to have lifted the trophy. This remarkable statistic underscores the league's growing prestige as a destination for elite global talent.

Conclusion: A Landmark Moment for Orlando and American Soccer

Antoine Griezmann's move to Orlando City SC represents far more than one player changing clubs. It is a landmark event in the ongoing story of MLS's rise as a globally relevant league. A 2018 World Cup winner, Atlético Madrid's all-time leading scorer, and one of European football's most decorated forwards of the past decade is choosing Florida as the next destination on his extraordinary journey.

For Orlando City, the implications are profound — in terms of on-field quality, commercial growth, and the club's standing in the broader football world. For MLS, Griezmann's arrival is further confirmation that the league has permanently shed its reputation as a mere retirement destination and earned its place among the competitions where elite players want to compete.

When July 2026 arrives and Griezmann steps onto the pitch at Inter&Co Stadium for the first time, it will be a moment that Orlando fans and American soccer supporters will remember for years to come. The beautiful game in the United States just got a little more beautiful.