Antoine Griezmann definitively entered the pantheon of Spanish football on Tuesday by becoming the co-top scorer in the history of Atlético de Madrid alongside Spanish legend Luis Aragonés.
With a double (44th, 69th from the penalty spot) scored during the 3-3 draw against Getafe on the 18th day of La Liga, the 32-year-old Frenchman joins Aragonés who had established his mark in 370 matches in the Colchoneros jersey, between 1964 and 1974.
A 173rd goal in the rojiblanco jersey, which he has worn again with pride since 2021 and his failure at FC Barcelona, after a first stint between 2014 and 2019.
The 2018 world champion is certainly in the form of his life and essential to his team’s play on the pitch, where his childish smile still betrays an intact passion for his sport.
“Cholo” Diego Simeone, the Madrid coach whose name alone is more applauded than that of the Frenchman at the Metropolitano, where Atlético has been undefeated since January 2023, paid tribute to his striker.
“I felt that Luis (Aragonès) had gone to take the penalty with him to accompany one of the best players in the history of Atlético and that today he reached his number,” the Argentine told the outcome of the meeting. He is an extraordinary footballer, an ideal person for Atlético and we need footballers of this profile. I hope we can take care of him and spend a little more time with him. »
Whistled and disowned by some “Atléti” supporters after his transfer to Barça in 2019, “Grizou” completely turned the tide thanks to his hyperactivity on the pitch, his assists and especially his goals.
However, it is difficult to imagine such a return to favor just over a year ago, when the loan agreement between Barça and Atlético only allowed him to play 30 minutes per match, before Atlético does not definitively exercise its purchase option.
“Even if not everyone agreed with his return, I was convinced that he was born to play at Atlético de Madrid,” said his coach Simeone after another recital from his all-rounder against Celtic Glasgow in the Champions League (6-0).
