The “Little Prince” of Madrid may be trading the Metropolitano for the Magic Kingdom. Antoine Griezmann is reportedly in advanced talks to join Orlando City in a move that could end his legendary Atletico Madrid career before the current season even concludes.
The Orlando Offensive
Following a bombshell report from The Athletic on February 23, 2026, Orlando City has made the 34-year-old Frenchman their “absolute priority” for their vacant Designated Player slot.
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The Deadline: Unlike European leagues, the MLS transfer window remains open until March 26, allowing Orlando to snatch Griezmann immediately.
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Discovery Rights: Orlando City holds the “discovery rights” for Griezmann within the MLS, giving them first dibs on negotiations over rivals like Inter Miami.
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The Mission: Orlando’s Sporting Director, Ricardo Moreira, has reportedly traveled to Madrid multiple times in recent weeks to finalize the terms.
An Icon in Transition
Griezmann’s departure would mark the end of an era for Los Colchoneros.
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The Legacy: With 210 goals and 95 assists across 480 matches, he leaves as the club’s all-time leading scorer.
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The Shift: While still influential, Griezmann is no longer a guaranteed starter every week under Diego Simeone. With his contract running until 2027, Atletico may view this as the perfect time to clear his massive wage from the books.
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The American Dream: Griezmann has never hidden his obsession with U.S. sports culture. “Everyone knows that MLS is my dream,” he reiterated as recently as late 2025.
MLS Market Impact
If the deal goes through in the coming weeks, Griezmann would become one of the most high-profile arrivals in MLS history, rivaling the impact of Lionel Messi’s move to Miami.
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Salary: As a Designated Player, his earnings would sit well above the league’s standard cap.
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Timing: Orlando wants him integrated before the primary registration deadline to bolster a squad that missed the playoffs last season.