Why did Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce have an Atlético Madrid jersey at Super Bowl press conference?

While Atlético Madrid are getting ready to take on Athletic Club in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, some would argue there’s an even bigger game about to take place across the pond, as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to take on the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII. But while Travis Kelce and George Kittle may have their minds on Sunday’s clash at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the LaLiga club made a surprise appearance in Tuesday’s press conference. And it’s all down to Antoine Griezmann.

Atleti star Antoine Griezmann an NFL fanatic

Kelce and Kittle were both handed signed Atleti jerseys as they spoke to the media, reflecting the fact there are a number of NFL fanatics who currently play for the Spanish team, chief among them Griezmann, who hosts “NFL’s Grizi Huddle”, his own NFL Spanish-language show on YouTube.

During their preseason tour of the United States last summer, Atlético Madrid even organised an event with the 49ers in San Francisco, in which the French star, along with teammates Koke, Mario Hermoso and Marcos Llorente, took part in a mixed mini-training session with the NFL team and swapped gifts.

Griezmann’s previous links to Chiefs’ Mahomes and Kelce

It seems they aren’t taking sides ahead of the Super Bowl, however, with the key figures on both teams gifted signed jerseys by Griezmann. “We’ll try and bring home the W for you,” was Kelce’s message to the former Barcelona man.

In November, the Atleti attacker also swapped shirts with Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes after the game against the Dolphins in Germany, while he has previously imitated one of Kelce’s celebration after scoring a goal.