Griezmann signs million-dollar contract in the MLS, second only to Messi.

Antoine Griezmann is about to take a bold step in his career, leaving Atlético de Madrid to join Orlando City in Major League Soccer (MLS). This transfer, which had been rumored for months, has finally been confirmed and promises to revolutionize the salary landscape of the North American league. Griezmann, who will become the second highest-paid player in the MLS, only behind star Lionel Messi, is entering a new phase of his career, marked by a contract that reflects his significance in the sport.

The French international, who has a contract with the Colchoneros until 2027, accepted an irresistible offer from the Orlando team, signaling a significant change in his trajectory. In an emotional message posted on his official Instagram account, Griezmann said goodbye to Atlético, expressing the difficulty in finding words to describe what he feels. “This club is my home and you are my family,” he wrote, adding that his time at Atlético was an “incredible journey, marked by unforgettable matches, goals, joys, and a passion that only those who live the Atléti can understand.”

The new contract for Griezmann with Orlando City is a significant milestone: he signs for two seasons, with an option for a third, and will see his annual salary rise from 9 million euros in Madrid to an impressive 10 million euros in Florida. This increase puts him miles ahead of the previous highest-paid player on the team, Luis Muriel, who earned 3.45 million dollars. Thus, Griezmann will not only be the highest-paid athlete at Orlando, but also one of the most prominent in the league itself.

With this new salary position, Griezmann will not only join the list of the highest-paid players in MLS but will also solidify his reputation as one of the big names in world football. Lionel Messi, with a salary exceeding 17 million euros at Inter Miami, remains the only player to surpass the Frenchman’s earnings. Griezmann’s arrival in MLS marks a new chapter not only in his career but also in the evolution of the league, which continues to grow in prestige and attractiveness for major stars of international football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.