Griezmann soaking up last Atletico moments before joy of King’s Cup final

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann said he is soaking up all the small moments he can during his last weeks at the club, ahead of the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.

The 35-year-old French star, Atletico’s all-time top goalscorer, is leaving at the end of the season to join MLS side Orlando City.

Griezmann had an option to leave in March but wants to end his time at Atletico with silverware — either the Copa del Rey or the Champions League, or ideally both.

On Tuesday Atletico reached the Champions League semi-finals, eliminating his former club Barcelona, and in Seville they face another former side of his in Real Sociedad.

“I realise (these are my last moments), when I’m at Camp Nou playing, enjoying every tackle from a team-mate, a pass, a bit of skill, some of the chants from the fans, a message from Cholo (coach Diego Simeone) on the touchline,” Griezmann told reporters at La Cartuja stadium on Friday. “I’m soaking it all in, enjoying it a lot.”

Griezmann was at Barca during Atletico’s La Liga triumph in 2021, meaning his last trophies with the Rojiblancos came in 2018 — the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.

The veteran attacker, who won the World Cup with France in 2018 as well, said he was overjoyed to be playing in another final, in his 10th season at Atletico over two spells.

Griezmann said he was not wondering whether it would be his last final or not, with Atletico taking on Arsenal in the Champions League semis, aiming to reach the European showpiece in Budapest.

“(I’m feeling) a lot of excitement, a lot of desire, happiness... I’m really happy to be able to play a final,” explained Griezmann.

“I’m not thinking about whether it will be the last one or not, just that it’s a very important match, a final that very few players get to play.

“So it’s a huge joy, a source of pride, and I just can’t wait for tomorrow to arrive and to be able to perform at the level we all expect.”

Griezmann’s first club in Spain was Real Sociedad, who stand between him another trophy.

“I’m not thinking about that too much because otherwise I get very emotional, and I don’t want that... but I do owe them a huge amount,” said Griezmann, who played in La Real’s youth academy.

“They opened doors for me that weren’t opened for me in France, I owe them so much and it will definitely be a special match.”

Agence France-Presse