Antoine Griezmann still wants to follow Lionel Messi and finish his soccer career in MLS… as Atletico Madrid star reveals his son has been learning baseball and basketball

Antoine Griezmann insists he still wants to finish his career in the United States, with the French striker revealing he recently introduced his young son to baseball and basketball.

Griezmann returned permanently from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid last year and has a contract to play in the Spanish capital for another three years.

He will turn 35 in the summer of 2026, but the World Cup winner has long indicated that he wants to play in Major League Soccer.

Griezmann even teased a move to play under his idol David Beckham at Inter Miami, claiming in 2018: “If Beckham wants me at his club, I’m going.”

Speak against Mail sports Ahead of Atletico Madrid’s match at Osasuna, which kicks off at 3:30pm (ET US) on Saturday and will be on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, the 32-year-old confirmed he still wants to finish his playing days in the US.

Griezmann and his Atletico Madrid teammate Koke visited Inter Miami earlier this year

“I always said my goal would be to finish there. Because I love American sports, I would love to play in the MLS and play there – to be competitive, win there and play at my top level,” he said.

‘But first and foremost I want to continue writing history here. To win titles here with Atletico. We will see clearly in the future, but for me one of my goals is to play in the MLS’

Griezmann’s former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all moved to Miami this month. He believes Messi can become “the image of football in the United States.”

“He’s an incredible player and I think the best thing MLS has done is to sign Leo – just for advertising and also for the quality of the sport,” said the 32-year-old.

“My goal is to finish my football career there, to enjoy the league and all the other sports competitions there, because I really follow them. I’m a real fan.’

Griezmann and teammate Koke were on court for the Miami Heat’s victory over the New York Knicks in May, before being spotted at DRV PNK Stadium to watch Inter Miami. He also saw the Miami Marlins play the Atlanta Braves in the MLB.

The France international follows Lionel Messi’s incredible start in the US

“I like American sports, I would love to play in the MLS and would love to play there,” said Griezmann

He then spent part of his summer in the US with Atletico Madrid ahead of the new La Liga season, when all 380 games will be available live in English and Spanish on ESPN+. That gave him a behind-the-scenes look at the facilities of an American sports franchise and even some sightseeing in San Francisco.

The France international was already a big fan of the NFL and NBA. Now he’s addicted to a few more American staples: baseball and fantasy.

“I do a lot of fantasy competitions. In baseball I think I have one this year, in the NBA I have two. So there I am, looking at all the results and looking at the players,” he said.

“You look at things, all different movements. For example, the quarterbacks – their vision during the game. And I’ve been very interested in baseball since last year.’

Griezmann follows the Kansas City Chiefs, but his favorite quarterback is Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears. He collects baseball cards and is especially a fan of Mariners star Julio Rodriguez.

“I have two rooms full of these special cards – I collect them – and one day I will make them public,” he said.

Recently, Griezmann has passed on his enthusiasm from generation to generation.

Griezmann (right) and Koke lined the court for the Miami Heat playoff game in May

“My four-year-old son, I throw him American balls,” he added. “I bought him a baseball bat and we have a net on the wall at home. So let’s see how he plays basketball. He can choose to play what he likes best.’

This summer, however, Saudi Arabia has become the destination of choice for many of football’s biggest stars, including Neymar.

Griezmann is not surprised by the influx of players to the Saudi Pro League and admitted he would consider a lucrative move to the Middle East.

‘I should study it with my family and my three children. But at the moment I’m here, I really enjoy playing here, but I think it’s very normal what happens,” he said.

“We are talking about Saudi Arabia and the contracts are for a significant amount. So you need to look at this from the point of view of you and your family.

“This could well be the best contract of your life, because football usually ends at the age of 35.”