Born on March 21, 1991, Antoine Griezmann is a French football star known for his versatility. He currently plays as a forward for Atlético Madrid and the French national team. He excels as an attacking midfielder, winger, and striker. His skills include strong attacking, precise passing, and defensive support.
Griezmann started his career with Real Sociedad and won the Segunda División title in his first season. Atlético Madrid noticed his talent and signed him in 2014 for €30 million. During his time there, he won several titles. These include the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and Supercopa de España. He also became La Liga’s Best Player and received Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Men’s Player nominations in 2016 and 2018.
In 2019, he transferred to Barcelona for €120 million, becoming the fifth-most expensive player ever. His time at Barcelona was short but he did win a Copa del Rey title. In 2021, he returned to Atlético Madrid and ranks as the club’s third-highest scorer.
Internationally, Griezmann has also shined. He won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and debuted for France’s senior team in 2014. He has over 120 caps and ranks third in France’s all-time top goals. Griezmann was the Player of the Tournament and top scorer in UEFA Euro 2016. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he won the Silver Boot and Bronze Ball, helping France win the title. In the 2022 World Cup, he played a key role in France’s runner-up finish.
Antoine Griezmann Biography/Wiki
| Name | Antoine Greizmann |
| Date of Birth | 21st March 1991 |
| Birth Place | Malcon, France |
| Nick Name | Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Gender | Male |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Nationality | American |
Antoine Griezmann Birth & Early Life
Antoine Griezmann was born on March 21, 1991, in the quaint commune of Mâcon, located in France’s Saône-et-Loire department. His early life was deeply rooted in the French countryside, where he discovered his passion for football.
As a young boy, Griezmann was already showing signs of the talent that would later catapult him to international stardom. His early years were instrumental in shaping his career, providing him with the foundational skills that would later make him a versatile player.
Antoine Griezmann Parents & Siblings
Born to Alain and Isabelle Griezmann, Antoine comes from a family that has always been supportive of his football aspirations. His father, Alain Griezmann, was a town councilor, while his mother, Isabelle, was deeply involved in his upbringing.
Antoine is not the only child; he has two siblings named Maud and Théo Griezmann. The Griezmann family has been a cornerstone in Antoine’s life, providing both emotional and logistical support throughout his journey to football stardom.
Antoine Griezmann Education
Griezmann’s educational journey was a bit unconventional. Struggling with dyslexia, he decided to leave school at the age of 14 to fully concentrate on his burgeoning football career. He joined the youth academy and dedicated his time to honing his skills.
Despite the challenges, his focus on football paid off, setting the stage for his future successes. His early departure from formal education was a calculated risk that ultimately propelled him into the limelight.
Antoine Griezmann Nationality & Ethnicity
Antoine Griezmann is a French national, born and raised in Mâcon, France. However, his ethnic background is a blend of diverse European roots. His father, Alain, is of French and possibly German descent, while his mother, Isabelle, is of Portuguese ancestry.
This rich cultural mix has contributed to Griezmann’s unique perspective, both on and off the field. His eligibility for the Portuguese national team, thanks to his mother, adds another layer to his complex identity.
Antoine Griezmann Birthday
Antoine Griezmann celebrates his birthday on March 21 every year. Born in 1991 in Macon, France, his father was a fervent football enthusiast who introduced young Antoine to the sport. This early exposure to football set the stage for his illustrious career.
Antoine Griezmann Age
As of 2023, Antoine Griezmann is 32 years old. He began his football journey at a very young age, joining his first club, UF Maconnais, when he was just six years old. Over the years, he has matured into a world-class player, making significant contributions to both his club and national teams.
Antoine Griezmann Height
Standing at a height of approximately 1.76 meters (5 feet 9 inches), Antoine Griezmann’s stature may not be imposing, but his agility and skill on the field more than make up for it. His height has never been a hindrance; instead, it has allowed him to excel in various positions, from forward to attacking midfielder.
Antoine Griezmann Weight
Antoine Griezmann weighs around 73 kg (approximately 161 lbs). His well-maintained physique allows him to be agile and quick on the field, making him a formidable opponent. His weight complements his style of play, enabling him to maintain balance and control, crucial for a player in his position.
Antoine Griezmann Club Career
Real Sociedad
Antoine Griezmann started his football career at Real Sociedad in Spain. He lived with the club’s French scout and went to school in Bayonne, France. In the evenings, he trained at the club. Coach Martín Lasarte gave him his professional debut in the 2009-2010 pre-season. An injury to the first-choice left-winger led to Griezmann starting the season. This was unusual for a youth player.
From 2009 to 2011, Griezmann showed consistent performance. He debuted in a Copa del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano. Soon after, he scored his first goal against Huesca. He also scored in back-to-back matches against Hércules and Recreativo de Huelva. These efforts helped Real Sociedad move up to La Liga in the 2010-2011 season. Despite interest from Ligue 1 clubs, he signed a five-year contract with Real Sociedad in April 2010. The contract had a €30 million release clause.
Griezmann made his La Liga debut in August 2010. He described it as fulfilling a “childhood dream.” He continued to shine, scoring goals against teams like Deportivo La Coruña and Málaga. From 2011 to 2014, he enjoyed individual success. He scored a key goal against Barcelona and another that helped Real Sociedad qualify for the UEFA Champions League. This was their first qualification since the 2003-2004 season.
Atlético Madrid
2014–15: Debut Season
In July 2014, Antoine Griezmann moved from Real Sociedad to Atlético Madrid. The transfer fee was close to his €30 million buy-out clause. He quickly passed his medical and signed a six-year contract. His Atlético debut came in the 2014 Supercopa de España against Real Madrid. He scored his first goal for the team in a Champions League match against Olympiacos.
Griezmann’s first season at Atlético was impressive. He scored his first La Liga goals in a win over Córdoba. He also netted a hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao. This performance won him the La Liga Player of the Month for January 2015. When he scored against his former club, Real Sociedad, he kept his celebrations low-key.
By season’s end, Griezmann had 22 goals in 37 games. This broke Karim Benzema’s record for most goals by a French player in a La Liga season. His form earned him a spot in the LFP Team of the Year. He was the only Atlético Madrid player on the team, joining forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
2015–2017: Rise to prominence
In the 2015-2016 season, Antoine Griezmann became crucial for Atlético Madrid. He started the season with a winning goal against Las Palmas. Then he scored twice each against Galatasaray and Getafe. He also scored against his former club, Real Sociedad, but didn’t celebrate.
The year 2016 was big for him. He led Atlético to beat Real Madrid and ousted Barcelona from the Champions League. His key goal against Bayern Munich sent Atlético to the Champions League final. Though they lost to Real Madrid, Griezmann shone.
In June 2016, he extended his Atlético contract until 2021, ending transfer rumors. In the 2016-2017 Champions League, his last-minute goal against Rostov was crucial. It sent Atlético to the round of 16. By April 2017, he had scored 100 La Liga goals, joining Karim Benzema as the second Frenchman to do so.
Even without winning a trophy, he stayed with Atlético in June 2017. He learned the club faced a transfer ban and couldn’t find a replacement for him. Reports said his release clause rose to €100 million.
2017–18: UEFA Europa League win
In August 2017, Antoine Griezmann faced a career-first red card during a match against Girona, leading to a two-game suspension. Despite this setback, he rebounded impressively, earning the La Liga Player of the Month for February 2018. During this period, he scored a remarkable eight goals and provided two assists, including a hat-trick against Sevilla and a four-goal performance against Leganés. With this, he joined the elite club of Atlético players like Sergio Agüero and Fernando Torres to score 100 goals in the 21st century.
Griezmann’s influence was also felt in the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League. He scored a crucial goal in the semi-final against Arsenal and assisted Diego Costa in the return leg, propelling Atlético to the final against Marseille. In a poetic twist, Griezmann scored twice in the final held in Lyon, France, helping Atlético secure their third Europa League trophy in nine years.
Amid intense speculation about a potential move to Barcelona, Griezmann chose loyalty over a high-profile transfer. In June 2018, he extended his contract with Atlético until 2023, just days after rejecting Barcelona’s offer. He took to social media to express his commitment, posting “My fans, my team, MY HOME!!!” in a multilingual message accompanied by a video of him walking through Madrid. This decision solidified Griezmann’s status as an Atlético Madrid legend and a player deeply connected to the club’s ethos.
2018–19: Final season of first stint with Atlético
In August 2018, Antoine Griezmann showcased his prowess in Atlético Madrid’s 4-2 extra-time triumph over Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup. His Champions League performances were equally stellar, netting goals against Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund, and securing Atlético’s qualification to the next round with a decisive goal against Monaco.
Griezmann reached significant career milestones during this period. On December 15, he played his 300th league game in Spain’s top division, scoring twice and assisting another in a 3-2 win against Real Valladolid. A week later, he notched his 200th career goal in a 1-0 victory over Espanyol. By February 2019, he had become Atlético’s fifth-highest all-time scorer with 130 goals, surpassing Fernando Torres’ record.
His performances were instrumental in keeping Atlético competitive in La Liga, closing the gap with league leaders Barcelona to just two points after scoring his 10th league goal of the season against Getafe. However, despite his deep-rooted connection with Atlético and a series of record-breaking performances, Griezmann announced his departure from the club in May 2019. He was heavily linked to Barcelona, who were reportedly willing to meet his €120 million buy-out clause.
Barcelona
In July 2019, FC Barcelona made headlines by signing Antoine Griezmann to a five-year contract, activating his €120 million buy-out clause. However, the transfer was immediately embroiled in controversy. Atlético Madrid claimed that Barcelona fell €80 million short of the release clause, alleging that an agreement had been reached before Griezmann’s clause was reduced from €200 million. Despite the legal wrangling and fan backlash—evident when Griezmann’s plaque at the Metropolitano Stadium was defaced—the transfer was upheld.
Griezmann’s Barcelona debut came in a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in August 2019. He quickly rebounded, scoring twice and assisting in a 5-2 win against Real Betis. His first Champions League goal for Barcelona was assisted by Lionel Messi in a 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. Notably, Griezmann became the first player of the 2019-2020 season to score in every major competition for Barcelona, including a crucial brace in a Copa del Rey match against Ibiza.
The 2020-2021 season saw Griezmann continue to make an impact. He scored his first goal of the season in a draw against Alavés and netted twice in a Supercopa de España final loss to Athletic Bilbao. One of his standout performances came in a Copa del Rey quarter-final against Granada, where he scored and assisted twice in a dramatic 5-3 comeback win. Griezmann’s efforts were finally rewarded when he scored the opening goal in a 4-0 Copa del Rey final win over Athletic Bilbao, securing his first trophy with Barcelona.
Return to Atlético Madrid
Antoine Griezmann returned to Atlético Madrid on a one-year loan in August 2021. The deal included an option for extension and a €40 million transfer clause. He scored his first goal in a 2-1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League. But he had mixed results against Liverpool, scoring twice before a red card led to a 3-2 loss.
For the 2022-23 season, Atlético extended his loan. They limited his playtime to avoid a €40 million buy clause. Even so, he scored a last-minute winner against Porto in the Champions League. Atlético and Barcelona later agreed on a €20 million transfer. Griezmann then signed a contract through June 2026.
In the 2022-23 season, Griezmann shone. He became Atlético’s top scorer and led La Liga in assists. He recorded 16 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. Griezmann was the only La Liga player with double digits in both categories. This tied him with Kevin De Bruyne and Lionel Messi for most league assists in Europe’s top five leagues. His return to Atlético has proven to be a brilliant move, confirming his status as a versatile and impactful player.
Antoine Griezmann International Career
Youth
Despite playing in Spain and initially flying under the radar of France’s youth international coaches, Antoine Griezmann’s breakthrough came with Real Sociedad. In February 2010, he was selected for the France U-19 team and made his debut in a goalless draw against Ukraine.
Just two days later, he scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win against the same opponent. His performance in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was stellar, contributing two goals and an assist in a 5-0 win over Austria. France won the tournament, and Griezmann was named to the Team of the Tournament.
This success led to France’s qualification for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, earning Griezmann a spot on the U-20 team. Although a thigh injury initially sidelined him, he later made his U-20 debut in a 2-1 win over England, assisting on the equalizing goal. He was part of the 21-man squad for the U-20 World Cup, where he scored the game-winning goal in a Round of 16 match against Ecuador.
Senior
2014–2016: Debut and UEFA Euro 2016
In February 2014, Antoine Griezmann’s football career took a significant leap when he was called up to the French senior squad by coach Didier Deschamps for a friendly against the Netherlands. Making his debut on March 5, he played a pivotal role in France’s 2-0 win. Griezmann’s performance earned him a spot in France’s 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. During the tournament, he stepped up to replace an injured Franck Ribéry and contributed to France’s victory over Nigeria in the Round of 16. However, France was ousted in the quarter-finals by Germany.
Griezmann’s star continued to rise during UEFA Euro 2016, hosted by France. Although initially benched for a game against Albania, he came on as a substitute to score the opening goal, leading to a 2-0 win. His standout performance against the Republic of Ireland, where he scored twice, solidified his reputation as a clutch player. Griezmann’s brilliance shone in the quarter-final against Iceland and the semi-final against Germany, where he scored key goals. Despite France’s loss to Portugal in the final, Griezmann won the Golden Boot and was named the tournament’s best player, with his six-goal tally second only to Michel Platini’s record in UEFA Euro 1984.
2018 FIFA World Cup
In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Antoine Griezmann emerged as a pivotal figure for the French national team, showcasing his versatility and clutch performances. Griezmann made headlines in France’s opening match against Australia by scoring the first-ever World Cup penalty awarded through the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. His scoring prowess continued in the Round of 16, where he netted a crucial penalty in France’s thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina.
Griezmann’s influence extended beyond scoring; he was instrumental in France’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Uruguay. Not only did he assist Raphaël Varane’s opening goal, but he also scored a long-range effort, which he respectfully chose not to celebrate due to his connections with Uruguay. In the semi-final against Belgium, it was Griezmann’s corner that set up Samuel Umtiti’s match-winning header.
The final against Croatia was a defining moment for Griezmann. Involved in multiple goals, he first delivered a free-kick that led to an own goal by Mario Mandžukić. He then converted a VAR-awarded penalty to regain France’s lead. His assist to Paul Pogba for France’s third goal sealed the 4-2 victory. Griezmann’s standout performances earned him the Man of the Match in the final and the Bronze Ball for being the tournament’s third-best player. His contributions were key in securing France’s second World Cup title, solidifying his legacy as a French football icon.
2021–present
In May 2021, Antoine Griezmann continued to be a mainstay for the French national team, receiving a call-up for the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020. He made a significant impact on 19 June by scoring a crucial goal that secured a 1-1 draw against Hungary. Griezmann’s contributions didn’t stop there; he was also a key player in France’s triumphant 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals campaign.
Fast forward to November 2022, Griezmann was once again selected for the French squad, this time for the highly anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His standout performance came in the semi-finals against Morocco, where he was named Man of the Match following France’s 2-0 victory. Although France narrowly lost to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in the final, Griezmann’s influence was undeniable. He finished the tournament as the co-top assister, providing three crucial assists that helped propel his team to the final.
Antoine Griezmann Wife: Erika Choperena
Erika Choperena is not just the wife of renowned French footballer Antoine Griezmann; she’s a remarkable individual in her own right. Born on March 5, 1990, in Spain, Erika is a qualified child psychologist. She completed her degree in pedagogy at San Sebastian University in Santiago, Chile. Before settling into her professional career, she also dabbled in blogging and ran a blog named ‘Cordially Erika.’
Erika and Antoine’s love story began in San Sebastian in 2011. At that time, Griezmann was training with the Real Sociedad team, which was near Erika’s school. After a year and a half of courtship, Erika finally said yes to Antoine. The couple tied the knot on June 15, 2017, at the 11th Century Palacio de Galiana in Toledo. They are parents to three children, all of whom share the same birth date of April 8 but were born in different years.
Erika has been a constant pillar of support for Antoine, cheering him on at various matches, including the recent FIFA World Cup 2022. She was present at the Lusail Iconic Stadium when France lost to Argentina in the final match. Erika and Antoine have been married for five years and continue to set couple goals, proving that behind a successful man is a strong, supportive woman.
Antoine Griezmann Children
Antoine Griezmann, the renowned French footballer, is a doting father to three adorable children, all of whom share the unique coincidence of being born on April 8th but in different years.
His first child, Mia Griezmann, was born on April 8, 2016. She was followed by Amaro, born on the same date in 2019. The youngest of the trio, Alba Griezmann, was born on April 8, 2021. This remarkable alignment of birth dates has left fans and social media users stunned, adding another layer of intrigue to Griezmann’s public persona.
The children’s mother is Erika Choperena, Griezmann’s long-time partner and wife.
Antoine Griezmann Salary, Earnings & Net Worth 2023
As of 2023, Antoine Griezmann has a staggering net worth of $60 million. Playing for Atlético Madrid, he commands a hefty salary of €12,500,000 per season, which translates to a weekly paycheck that would make anyone’s eyes widen. Some sources even suggest that he earns around $13.7 million with Atletico Madrid and is in talks for a contract extension.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
How rich is Griezmann?
Antoine Griezmann has a net worth of $60 million as a French professional soccer player.
How tall are Antoine Griezmann’s feet?
So, he is 1.76 m and 5 feet 9 inches tall.
Is Antoine Griezmann Algerian?
Antoine was born in France, and his father, Alain Griezmann, is French, but his mother, Isabelle Lopes, is Portuguese, and therefore qualified for a Portugal call-up.
