Atlético de Madrid held a farewell tribute for Antoine Griezmann at the Metropolitano on Sunday, May 17, 2026, following his 500th appearance [3].
The departure of the French forward marks the end of an era for the Madrid-based club, where Griezmann established himself as the all-time top scorer.
The tribute occurred during matchday 37 of the 2025-2026 LaLiga season, as Atlético secured a 1-0 victory over Girona [4, 5]. Griezmann entered the match having played 499 official games for the club [2], making Sunday his milestone 500th appearance [3]. He leaves the team as the record holder with 212 goals [1].
Coach Diego Pablo Simeone praised the forward's impact on the organization. "He is a fetish player for the club and has left an indelible mark," Simeone said [3].
Griezmann is leaving Spain to join Orlando City SC in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) [6]. The transition follows a formal agreement between the two clubs to incorporate the player starting next season [6].
During his tenure, Griezmann became a central figure in the club's offensive strategy, and a fan favorite. Reflecting on his time in Madrid, Griezmann said, "It has been an eternal story" [7].
The event at the Metropolitano Stadium served as the official closing of his spell with the club, combining a competitive match with a celebratory send-off for the record-breaking striker [1, 2].
“"He is a fetish player for the club and has left an indelible mark."”
Griezmann's move to Orlando City SC reflects a growing trend of elite European players transitioning to the MLS in the later stages of their careers. By leaving as Atlético's all-time leading scorer with 212 goals, he cements a legacy that provides the club with significant historical prestige while allowing the team to pivot toward a new offensive era under Simeone.
