Antoine Griezmann’s performance in Atletico Madrid’s victory over Real Valladolid last weekend showcased his current peak form. Sporting turquoise boots, pink and peroxide hair, and a fluorescent orange strip, the French forward proved himself to be one of the most exciting and enjoyable footballers to watch in LaLiga.
Although Vinicius Junior is his only competitor for the title of the league’s most thrilling player, Griezman has demonstrated that he is a puff of magic, in the sweet spot of his career where he’s daring, happy, endlessly energetic, and believes that there’s nothing he can’t pull off.
Despite having played up to the final of the World Cup in midseason, where he accrued seven extra matches, 538 minutes, and a runners-up medal, Griezmann has provided Atleti with 13 goals and 12 assists, becoming their top scorer and assist provider despite Atleti only playing him for a maximum of 30 minutes in most matches in the first third of the season, robbing him of form, continuity and opportunity to contribute. This was due to their fear of sparking the clause that would force them to pay Barcelona full price for his permanent transfer.
Even after returning to the club he left for €120m only three years earlier, Griezmann was initially in a weak, confused team, in which their legendary coach Diego Simeone was doing as much harm as good. They were bottom of their Champions League group and failed to qualify for Europa League football after the new year. At a stage, they even dropped to seventh in LaLiga, and European football next season was in some degree of jeopardy.
However, Atleti’s situation began to change in January when Simeone put his faith in four at the back and unleashed Griezmann. Now that he is certain he’s “home” for good with a contract running until 2026, Griezmann has been liberated. He has demonstrated massive industry, exceptional vision, and patent sheer joy at playing, which have made him infectious and, arguably, LaLiga’s best, most watchable player.
Griezmann’s impact on Atleti has been significant, and as the mighty David Ginola pointed out, Antoine possesses that superb left foot, and he’s a brilliant team player. He never holds back and always asks for the ball. He is very much a product of the Spanish football philosophy and reminds me a lot of Andres Iniesta. Whether played at center-forward, wide left, attacking midfield or second striker, Griezmann is ubiquitous. He is now master and commander of all he surveys, freed from the constraints that held him back at Barcelona.
At the age of 32, Griezmann continues to display his incredible work rate, a trait his fellow countryman and former Real Sociedad coach Raynald Denoueix has described as grafting like a midfielder. He will drop deep to provide a passing outlet, to pick up the pieces of someone else’s press, and to restart play. Griezmann will unfailingly sprint back to tackle, block, or take a booking for the team if Atleti’s opponents win the ball back near their penalty area and start a fast counterattack. He plays as if there were two of him, making him arguably the best and most watchable player in LaLiga.
