Thierry Henry hints at MLS move for Griezmann after Champions League heroics
Atlético Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has received high-profile praise from Thierry Henry, with the French legend strongly hinting at a future move to Major League Soccer for his compatriot. The comments came on American television after Griezmann played a pivotal role in Atlético's Champions League quarter-final victory over Barcelona, sending the Madrid club to their first semi-final in nine years. On the CBS Sports broadcast, Henry directly addressed Griezmann, saying, "Finish well with Atlético and good luck in Orlando."
Henry, a former New York Red Bulls star and current MLS analyst, expanded on his advice, stating, "If you need anything, I know MLS." The Arsenal icon had opened his remarks by thanking Griezmann for his contributions to football, adding, "Hat's off, you've personally delighted me." Griezmann responded on social media, expressing his gratitude for the words from a "French legend." The exchange has fueled immediate speculation that the 33-year-old World Cup winner could be considering a transfer to Orlando City SC or another MLS franchise in the near future.
Griezmann's current contract with Atlético Madrid runs until June 2026, and there has been no official indication from the player or club regarding an imminent departure. His form remains elite; he is the club's all-time top scorer and a central figure in Diego Simeone's side. The timing of Henry's comments, however, places a potential transatlantic move firmly on the radar. Such a transition would follow a well-trodden path for European stars in their thirties seeking a new challenge in North America.
For Atlético, the immediate focus is on the Champions League semi-finals and securing a top-four finish in La Liga. Griezmann's importance to the project is undiminished, making any talk of a summer exit appear premature. The context of Henry's remarks—made in English on a U.S. platform—suggests they were aimed as much at an MLS audience as at Griezmann himself, potentially serving as an unofficial marketing pitch. The player's own response was polite but non-committal, offering no confirmation of the implied next step.
The financial and sporting implications of a move to MLS would be significant for all parties. For Griezmann, it would represent a lucrative final chapter to his career, akin to moves made by Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. For an MLS club, acquiring a player of his global stature would be a major coup. For Atlético, planning for a future without their talisman would begin in earnest, though that moment seems more likely to arrive in 2025 or 2026 than in the upcoming window. For now, Griezmann's focus remains on finishing the season strongly with Atlético, as Henry himself advised.
