When Atletico Madrid entered the tunnel of the Metropolitano stadium after the victory over Barcelona to win a ticket to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, a player separated from the team.
The whole team applauded in gratitude to the audience, starting from the Fondo Sur area before going around the field. But Antoine Griezmann wanted more than that. Hesitating on the sidelines, he suddenly rushed out alone, dancing on the lawn, his hands clapping high on his head.
In a short moment, Griezmann was the only one on the field, leading the celebration of tens of thousands of lingered fans. The person who regularly plays the role of conductor in Atletico's playing style, once again showed that role. This time not with the ball, but with emotion. He danced, waving his hand in the air, as the team advanced to a milestone never reached since 2017 - the Champions League semi-finals.
Do you know how great it feels to enter the Champions League semi-finals?" - coach Diego Simeone said after the match. And Griezmann's dance spoke for everyone.
However, this summer, Griezmann will leave Atletico and La Liga to move to Major League Soccer, playing for Orlando City SC. He understands that the remaining time in Madrid is not much, and every moment becomes precious. At the age of 35, such nights - with nearly 70,000 spectators - will no longer appear many times.
Griezmann is the heart and soul of Atletico: the greatest scorer in club history, and also in the group of players who have played the most. Even in the late stages of his career, he is still one of the most important factors, alongside Julian Alvarez.
Training with him every day sometimes makes you think you should stay a little longer. He is a legend, not only for what he has done, but also for the way he represents football. Witnessing that every day is commendable" - Ademola Lookman shared.
Since the departure rumors appeared in February, Griezmann's season has taken the shape of a farewell trip. The schedule is packed with big matches: Madrid derby with Real Madrid, three encounters with Barcelona, Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad, and the upcoming clash with Arsenal.
That series of matches fully reflects Atletico's identity - edgy, stubborn and always choosing a difficult path. Their victories often come in hardship, while defeats, such as the penalty shootout loss to Real Madrid, are even more bitter.
Griezmann's career is also a collection of extremes. He won the 2018 World Cup with the French national team, then failed in the 2022 final. He became an icon at Atletico, left in controversy to join Barcelona, and then returned to atone for his mistakes. He won the UEFA Europa League and Super Cup titles, but never conquered La Liga or Copa del Rey.
And now, he is only 2 matches away from the Champions League final. The last time he participated in the biggest club-level match, in 2016, Griezmann missed a penalty in official time, before successfully converting it in the penalty shootout but still lost to Real Madrid. The night that should have been the most glorious has become the most painful memory for the French striker.
