MLS
France star Antoine Griezmann prefers future transfer to MLS and the United States over Saudi Arabia
The Atlético Madrid attacker understands why Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have moved to Saudi Arabia but has his heart set on a stateside switch.
For the second game running, France captain Kylian Mbappé skipped media duties before his country face Euro 2024 hosts Germany in a friendly at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, with vice-captain Antoine Griezmann again taking his place in a pre-match press conference. As well as discussing rumours of a falling out with head coach Didier Deschamps, he was also asked about whether he saw himself ending his career in MLS or Saudi Arabia.
Will Griezmann play for France at the Olympic Games?
“The most important thing is to qualify for the European Championship. We know that only three overage players can go (to the Olympics), so it’s normal there are a lot of questions about who it’ll be. When I watch the Olympic Games, I don’t do it as a soccer player, I do it as a fan, like any other Frenchman. On Friday, I was keeping a close eye on the rugby game (France vs New Zealand in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup)”.
Deschamps and Griezmann have “heated” discussion in France training
“My father texted me to see if anything was up. We were talking about the game (against Ireland), the first half. The coach asked me if I was okay. I told him that I thought most of the game was being played on the left, so what I did was pull out to the left to be able to switch the play to the right. In the second half, we were able to get the ball out to Ousmane Dembélé more easily. That reassured my father”.
Atlético Madrid star “not at 100%”
“It was difficult last year because I only played 30 minutes in every game at the beginning. I’m still don’t feel I’m at 100%, I’ve only had 20 days of vacation after all the trips we had during pre-season. But I’ll get better and better”.
Would Griezmann move to MLS or Saudi Arabia in the future?
“I understand those who have gone to play there. We are talking about incredible sums of money. Even though we earn a lot of money, some want to protect their children and grandchildren, and that seems normal to me. They are obliged to go there to play well and show their ability. Would I go there? I have a family and three children. It is not an easy decision to make. But as you know, playing in MLS is still my goal”.