Antoine Griezmann<\/a> spent years admiring Major League Soccer and its stars from afar, following the league\u2019s progress as he developed into a generational forward.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n On Tuesday, the 2018\u00a0FIFA World Cup<\/a> winner officially committed to playing in MLS with Orlando City<\/a>, who completed a blockbuster transfer<\/a> with LaLiga giants Atl\u00e9tico Madrid.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In the French star’s first interview since signing a contract that formally begins in July, he explained the decision behind a move that was years in the making.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A word from 7\ufe0f\u20e3 pic.twitter.com\/VBoFjmchzM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Griezmann regularly tuned into MLS as far back as 2018, the year good friend and former Real Sociedad teammate Carlos Vela debuted with then-expansion side LAFC<\/a>.<\/p>\n The former Mexican international became a Black & Gold and MLS icon, breaking the league\u2019s single-season goal (34) and goal contributions (49) records in 2019 before helping the club to the 2022 MLS Cup-Supporters\u2019 Shield double and 2024\u00a0US Open Cup<\/a> title.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s kind of what I want to do myself,\u201d Griezmann said of the 2019 Landon Donovan MLS MVP and LAFC co-owner.\u00a0\u201cHe was very important for the league, for his team.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe won everything, and he\u2019s someone who I admired a lot playing in Los Angeles. And I want to reach his level as closely as possible \u2013 everything he gave, what he won with his club, and on a personal level.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Antoine Griezmann under Carlos Vela\u2019s retirement post on IG. \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd\ud83e\udd1d\ud83c\udffc\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n An unforgettable partnership in world football. \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/Rsmbvn02k4<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 All F\u00fatbol MX \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd (@AllFutbolMX) May 27, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Griezmann\u2019s appreciation for MLS stars went beyond personal ties, however.<\/p>\n The 2018 World Cup winner idolizes David Beckham, the England and Manchester United legend whose transformative 2007 arrival forever changed the soccer landscape in the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s my childhood hero,\u201d the Frenchman said of the two-time MLS Cup winner with the\u00a0LA Galaxy<\/a> and current Inter Miami CF<\/a> co-owner.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he\u2019s why I wear the No. 7.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Griezmann: “I liked Beckham a lot. He was my idol. That\u2019s why I wear a long-sleeved shirt and wear the No.7.” #UCL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VORGvhZ9Es<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 6, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Griezmann-to-MLS speculation has circulated for several transfer windows, without ever getting past the rumor stage.<\/p>\n So, what motivated Atl\u00e9tico Madrid\u2019s all-time leading scorer to take the plunge with Orlando City?\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think the moment is now, for all the effort Orlando put into signing me,\u201d he said. \u201cFor the relationship and good feelings I had with Ricardo [Moreira, Orlando City general manager and sporting director] at my home in Madrid. For the club\u2019s project, the players and the fans. I think now\u2019s the time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n At Orlando, Griezmann becomes the club\u2019s latest global superstar signing, following Brazilian midfielder Kaka (2015-17) and Portuguese winger Nani (2019-21).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important for players of that stature to play in the league to give it exposure, to motivate youngsters to want to be like them,\u201d Griezmann said.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully I can leave a good image, a good legacy here in Orlando and in MLS, and win that trophy [MLS Cup] that I\u2019ve been wanting for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A generational pull \ud83d\ude09 pic.twitter.com\/XoqVtLucgp<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Vela’s influence<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Beckham and the No. 7<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Why Orlando?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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