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Atlético Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann is poised to become the next global superstar to make his mark in MLS.
The 35-year-old French international is bringing his 15-plus-year La Liga career to a close to sign with Orlando City, traveling to Florida on Sunday to finalize an agreement that will take effect following the 2026 World Cup.
He could be donning the purple and gold as soon as July 22, when the Lions take on the San Jose Earthquakes. His arrival marks a massive victory for Orlando City—every MLS club would have jumped at the chance to land the 2018 World Cup champion, and reportedly many did try, including Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
Even so, no club needs Griezmann's quality more urgently than Orlando, who had been pursuing the forward since MLS's winter transfer window and held his discovery rights. Heading into the international break, the Lions find themselves 13th in the Eastern Conference with just one win and four defeats—including back-to-back 5–0 thrashings in their last three outings.
Orlando, who parted ways with long-serving head coach Óscar Pareja following three straight losses to open the campaign, are still searching for a lasting fix, and Griezmann could prove to be exactly that.
The prolific forward—who had spells at Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, and Atléti—netted 298 goals across 792 appearances in Spain's top flight. He contributed 44 goals and 38 assists for the French national side before hanging up his international boots in 2024. His most iconic moment came in France's 2018 World Cup final victory, where he converted a penalty and set up another goal, earning both Player of the Match honors and the Silver Boot.
So how might Orlando deploy Griezmann's star quality? Here's a look at how the club could set up with him in the fold.
Partnership with Duncan McGuire
Griezmann is far more than a traditional striker—he's also a natural playmaker. He is celebrated for his inventiveness on the ball, his sharp tactical awareness, his ability to manufacture chances out of nothing, and his tendency to drop deep and operate as a second striker.
The Frenchman's attributes could complement those of Duncan McGuire exceptionally well. The 6'1" forward is a physically dominant presence whose game is largely built around that physicality, shaped by his NCAA roots. The 2023 Creighton graduate thrives on his off-ball movement and loves to run in behind defenses to exploit space.
The notably shorter Griezmann—standing at 5'9"—could take full advantage of McGuire's direct, relentless style, while bringing an entirely different dimension to the attack. Griezmann could work off McGuire, using his creative intelligence to pick out the towering striker in behind the defensive line.
Lone Striker
There's equally little question that Griezmann could shoulder the goalscoring burden on his own, with support from Designated Player Martín Ojeda operating just behind him. The Argentine midfielder is likewise renowned for his creativity and incisive passing, with a footballing mind that likely mirrors Griezmann's own.
As the central striker, Griezmann would lean heavily on wingers Iván Angulo and Marco Pašalić, both of whom have been—and will remain—central to the way the Lions play.
Regardless of the tactical setup, Griezmann leading the line will need to inject fresh energy into an Orlando side that has managed just four goals all season, averaging fewer than one per match.