How brilliant is Atlético's Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann has become Atlético de Madrid's all-time record goalscorer, moving clear of Luis Aragonés with his 174th goal in 367 games across two spells with the club.

Griezmann's record-clinching strike came in a dramatic 5-3 defeat by city rivals Real Madrid in their Spanish Super Cup semi-final meeting on 10 January.

The French forward arrived in Madrid in 2014 and was instrumental in the Rojiblancos' run to the 2016 UEFA Champions League final and their 2018 victories in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. Then there is his success with France, playing key roles in their runners-up finish at UEFA EURO 2016 (where he was Player of the Tournament) and 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph.

Griezmann left Atleti in 2019 but returned in 2021, initially on loan, signing a permanent deal in October 2022. UEFA.com celebrates his achievements.

What they say

Griezmann made his name at Real SociedadAFP via Getty Images

"He's an important player in a side that needs to be champions – both with France and Atlético. He knows exactly when to choose decisive moments. When he's sharp and physically in form, there's nobody in the world who can understand and interpret football like him."
Diego Simeone, Atlético de Madrid coach

"You can see the influence he has with the goals he scores and assists he makes. Then add to that the capacity he has to change the game, while getting back and doing his defensive duties. He is one of the greatest players of all time, both in Europe and worldwide."
Didier Deschamps, France coach

"Antoine is one of the best players in the world. He's an intelligent, cunning and very talented footballer. He's also really good in the air. You have to keep a close eye on him because he has the ability to lose you at any moment."
Adil Rami, Troyes defender and former France team-mate

"He's always happy; he's a delight to have as a player. Despite the pressure on him, he's always smiling, looking to have fun, and it's a breath of fresh air."
Philippe Montanier, former Real Sociedad coach

Current tally

International: 127 appearances, 44 goals
UEFA club competition: 102 appearances, 42 goals

Claims to fame

Atlético
• Atlético triggered Griezmann's €30m buy-out clause to entice him from San Sebastián side Real Sociedad in summer 2014, with coach Simeone saying: "Antoine is a brilliant player. He's really quick and he'll give us lots of options in attack."

• His 26 UEFA Champions League goals make him the Rojiblancos' top marksman in the Champions League/European Cup. He surpassed club legend Luis Aragonés's record when netting his 13th Atlético goal in the competition in a 4-2 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen on 21 February 2017.

• Scored the decisive goal in a backs-to-the-wall display in Germany as Atlético defeated Bayern on away goals to reach the 2016 UEFA Champions League final. The Frenchman did, however, miss a penalty in the showpiece event.

• The forward eclipsed Sergio Agüero as Atleti's leading scorer in all UEFA competitions by notching his 21st continental goal in Atlético colours against Arsenal in the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

• Griezmann then added two more to his tally in the Rojiblancos' 3-0 victory against Marseille in the final, securing the first European trophy of his career.

• Scored his 100th league goal for the club in a narrow 1-0 Liga victory at Athletic Bilbao in October 2022.

• Became Atlético's record all-time scorer, moving past Luis Aragonés to 174 with a goal in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final loss to Real Madrid in January 2024.

France
• His six goals brought him the golden shoe at UEFA EURO 2016, though it was a bittersweet experience as hosts France lost the final 1-0 to Portugal. "Maybe later I can feel proud," he said.

• He followed up at the 2018 World Cup by scoring four times, including in the final against Croatia, as France lifted the trophy for the second time. Griezmann was named man of the match in the Moscow decider and was also awarded the Bronze Ball after being voted the third best player in the tournament.

• Became the ninth player to have made 100 appearances or more for Les Bleus in their UEFA Nations League final victory over Spain.

• A late penalty in an 8-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan in November 2021 lifted Griezmann on to 42 France goals – one more than midfield great Michel Platini.

Did you know?

• Football is in his blood. His maternal grandfather Amaro Lopes played for local team Paços de Ferreira in his native Portugal before moving to France for work. His mother, Isabelle, was born in France but the link to Portugal remained, Griezmann spending summer holidays back in his grandfather's home town.

• Having been in Spain since he was 13, Griezmann says he has taken on certain Spanish traits, explaining: "I think in French but get angry in Spanish."

Griezmann watching the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers in London in 2018Getty Images

• While he loves football and frequently comments on social media while watching matches, soccer is not the only sport Griezmann is crazy about. Despite his relatively modest height, he is a huge basketball fan and often plays in his spare time.

• Griezmann's tattoos include an Arabic translation of a line from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince ("Make your life a dream, and make your dream a reality"), images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, his parents' initials and 'FAME', the title of a Chris Brown album – the initials stand for Forgiving All My Enemies and Fans Are My Everything.

• Rapper Drake inspired a Griezmann goal celebration: the 'two mobile phone' move derives from the Hotline Bling video.

• He has had a special affinity with his South American club-mates, notably sipping a cup of regional hot drink 'mate' wherever he goes. "It's like tea or coffee," he said. "I drink it all the time before training. It wakes me up."

What he says

"I try to be a complete player – in attack and defence – and to improve every year. When I'm on the pitch, I enjoy myself and try to give my all. It's like when you played on the street with your friends. Now every time I score, I turn into a little boy again. It's impossible to explain how happy scoring makes you."

What he might achieve yet

• Break the 22-goal barrier: he had his best domestic campaigns with 22 league goals in 2014/15 and 2015/16 but has been unable to reach 20 since, hitting 19 in 2017/18.

• Reach a half-century of goals for France. He is fourth in Les Bleus' all-time rankings with 44 goals, behind Olivier Giroud (56), Thierry Henry (51) and Kylian Mbappé (46). Griezmann is also two goals shy of Platini's record French haul of nine goals at EURO final tournaments.

• Become France's all-time leading appearance-maker: he is fourth in the rankings with 127 caps, behind Hugo Lloris (145), Lilian Thuram (142) and Olivier Giroud (129).