Antoine Griezmann, former teammate of Lionel Messi at Barcelona, hopes to one day test the waters in MLS after he's done playing in sunny Spain in La Liga.
It isn't a surprise to see Griezmann come out and affirm his desire to play in the same league that now boasts Messi as he's a huge fan of American sports like basketball in the NBA.
The 32-year-old had a solid 2022/23 campaign and doesn't look likely to leave the Spanish capital just yet, but he has an idea of where he'd like to go after his La Liga career is done.
"I've always said it," said Griezmann in an interview with ESPN. " My target is to end up there [in MLS], with everything that I like about American sports, playing in MLS and enjoying myself, being able to win things and be at my best level."
The former Real Sociedad player praised Inter Miami's business in the transfer window, as David Beckham's club signed a mixture of experienced players from Europe along with a few young, talented players to build for the now and the future - the template that many clubs around the league have started to follow in recent years.
"First I want to make history here and win trophies at Atleti [Madrid]. After that we'll see ... I think the arrival of Leo [Messi], 'Busi' [Sergio Busquets] and Jordi [Alba] is good for the league. That and signing younger players, especially from South America, it's the best thing the league can do."
As the France international eyes a move to MLS in the future, he has been keeping up how Messi has got on at Miami.
"Yes, I'm following [Messi]. Leo is the best in history. He's filling stadiums, he's scoring a lot of goals and he's winning games," he said.
Griezmann then summed up just about every football fan in the US' thoughts about Messi's move and what it could do for MLS.
"He's incredible and I think it's the best thing MLS have done to bring in Leo, in terms of marketing and in terms of football."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Antoine Griezmann aims to 'end up' in MLS after Atletico Madrid career.
