From teammates to arch-rivals: Lionel Messi awaits a familiar face in MLS

Antoine Griezmann’s imminent move to Orlando City could give Inter Miami’s rivalry with its in-state rival an even sharper edge. With the international break underway, the Atlético Madrid forward traveled to the United States to finalize details of his move to the country.

That would make Griezmann, who spent two seasons alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona, the Argentine star’s new archrival once again. It would hardly be unfamiliar territory for the Frenchman. Wearing Atlético’s No. 7 shirt, he stung Messi with France at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, only to later fall to Argentina’s No. 10 at Qatar 2022.

In all, Messi and Griezmann played 85 games together for Barcelona, according to Transfermarkt, combining for 12 goals. During his time with the Catalan club, the French forward scored 35 goals and delivered 17 assists.

In August 2023, just one month after Messi’s debut for Inter Miami, Griezmann said the Argentine was the greatest player in history. “He’s filling every stadium. Since he arrived, they’ve been winning a lot of games, and now they’re playing the final against Nashville (Leagues Cup 2023). The best thing MLS has done is bring in Leo Messi for the whole sporting world and make him the face of soccer in the United States.”

Griezmann fulfills a dream

Beyond joining Inter Miami’s most natural rival, Griezmann would also be fulfilling a personal dream, having long made clear his desire to finish his career in the United States.

“I’ve always said that my goal is to end up there, because of everything I love about American sports. To enjoy it there, while staying competitive and performing at my best,” he said that same year.

Griezmann has openly declared himself a huge NFL fan, and he even hosts a podcast titled Grizi Huddle with Rubén Ibeas, where the two break down the football season week by week.

He is also a well-known NBA follower, and in 2020 he said his favorite team was the Brooklyn Nets. “First of all, and I think this is the most important reason, because they have a French player on the team, Cabarrot, who is a great player and is getting more and more minutes, showing his quality,” he said at the time. Now, perhaps, Victor Wembanyama could turn him into a San Antonio Spurs fan instead.

The Frenchman would be following in the footsteps of one of his close friends, Carlos Vela, with whom he also shared a passion for American sports. Vela is based in Los Angeles, about four hours and 40 minutes from Orlando.

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