The star French forward is set to make his official debut on Wednesday night when Orlando visit the\u00a0San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> in their first game back from the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> break (10:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith Grizi, it\u2019s unique,\u201d interim head coach Mart\u00edn Perelman told reporters ahead of the Lions\u2019 Matchday 17 visit to PayPal Park.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 The energy he brought to the locker room and to all of us \u2013 his magic, it\u2019s unique.\u00a0Everybody is enjoying it, me as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A New York minute with @AntoGriezmann<\/a> \ud83d\uddfd pic.twitter.com\/Pty4hDM5um<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Griezmann formally joins the Lions this summer after a legendary decade-plus career in Spain\u2019s LaLiga with Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona and Atl\u00e9tico Madrid. He is Atl\u00e9tico’s all-time leading scorer with 212 goals and will look to kick-start a revamped Orlando attack that’s also welcomed back<\/a>\u00a0striker Daryl Dike<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both signings reflect the club\u2019s ambition to not only climb into the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs mix, but compete for silverware.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Become a champion, score goals, give assists, make kids want to play soccer and become Orlando fans,” Griezmann said last week in New York as MLS hosted its The Next Chapter conference.<\/p>\n “I came for all of that, and to put Orlando on top of the map of soccer in the United States.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Griezmann’s ambition matches that of his new club, which has famously swung big during previous transfer markets.\u00a0<\/p>\n Orlando signed Brazilian Kak\u00e1 \u2013 like Griezmann, a fellow FIFA World Cup winner \u2013 as their first Designated Player ahead of their inaugural 2015 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Portugal and Manchester United legend Nani also starred for the Lions from 2019-21.<\/p>\n Griezmann now adds more star power to an Orlando squad highlighted by Argentine playmaker Mart\u00edn Ojeda<\/a>, the club’s all-time goal contributions leader (44g\/30a), and Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a>, a 2025 MLS All-Star who represented Croatia at this summer’s World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very nervous about meeting my new teammates,” Griezmann said. “I\u2019ve spent the last two weeks having fun with them, training with them.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Another friendly, another Grizi goal \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/ILqrFy0rUp<\/a><\/p>\n\n
New-look Lions<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Benchmark signing<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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