Antoine Griezmann Cannot Save Orlando City | OneFootball

You can’t help but admire the timing of Orlando City’s announcement. In the quietest lull of a the start of an international break, they confirmed that another of Europe’s fading lights will make the short flight across the Atlantic to MLS.

In what was one of the worst-kept secrets in global soccer, Antoine Griezmann announced his departure from Atletico Madrid to join Orlando City this summer. A Frenchman who never played professionally in France, all seventeen of his seasons have been in La Liga, ten of those with Atleti but also with stints at Barcelona and Real Sociedad.

Griezmann’s a Star, but a Fading One

Antoine Griezmann might not have the star power of Beckham, Ibrahimović or Messi, but he’s a fantastic player, without doubt. His stats are damned impressive: 298 goals and 132 assists in 792 matches for Spanish clubs. He scored 44 times for his country.

He won a World Cup with France in 2018; and finished second in 2022. He lifted a Supercopa de España in 2014, and a UEFA Europa League and Super Cup trophy in 2018. He placed third in Ballon d’Or voting twice.

But outside of the World Cup, none of those honors matter much. There’s also the fact that in 17 seasons, he never won a league title. While it may sound harsh, Griezmann is a second-string legend, a dim star despite his penchant to dye his hair bright white.

Orlando Looking for a Messi Effect

There are precedents for downtrodden Florida clubs bringing in La Liga stars to boost a team. Inter Miami did it in 2023 with an ex-Barcleona player called Lionel Messi. With him on the squad, they sailed through the 2023 Leagues Cup and won the Miami’s first trophy.

But Griezmann, despite having the same number of World Cup wins as the diminutive Argentinian, is no Messi.

He’s not an alpha player who bends games to his will, he’s more of a chameleon who adapts his style to fit a need. His tactical nous and soccer intelligence are unquestionably strong. Even at 35 years old, his work rate and pressing remain at high intensity. He still scores and contributes assists.

He’s a clear value add. Of course, the big question is whether Orlando has any foundation upon which his play can find purchase.

Can He Really Help Orlando?

Frankly, I’m surprised that his agents allowed him to sign that contract given where Orlando City are at the moment: 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a -12 goal differential (the worst in MLS).

It’s obvious neither he (or anyone in his camp with any sway) watched Orlando’s pathetic effort against Nashville last Saturday. City literally rolled over and offered their belly to Sam Surridge’s knife blade of a foot in that 5-0 shellacking. They generated one shot on goal with an xG of 0.58. Hell, they didn’t even have enough energy to foul anyone; they only committed five in the match.

That wasn’t even Orlando’s first 5-0 loss this season! New York City FC got that honor back in week 3. On that occasion City also had one shot on frame, and an even worse xG of 0.16. Their only saving grace was they played with 10 men after a 16th minute red card.

Perhaps Griezmann also missed the spectacular second-half meltdown against Inter Miami back in week 2. Up two nil at halftime, the Lions wilted against a team that wears pink and whose mascot is a heron. Ok, Miami does have Messi, but that’s no excuse for shipping four.

Time Will Tell

Only time will tell if the move is a good one. Griezmann still has to finish up the La Liga season, could still win a Copa del Rey in next month’s finals, and his team is still alive in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Orlando City must staunch their bleeding so as not to scare off their new signing.