Antoine Griezmann Story: Breaking Limits to Excel in Football
Antoine Griezmann Story: Breaking Limits to Excel in Football
Antoine Griezmann is a French professional footballer who plays for the French national team as well as for the Spanish club ‘Atletico Madrid.’ Born and brought up in Macon, France. His aspiration to be a successful footballer is traced back to his early days. However, his small stature didn’t allow him gain acceptance, thus he was rejected by many football academy. In 2005, he was noticed by several major clubs, including the French professional club ‘Real Sociedad,’ as he play for the local club ‘Montpellier.’ He made his debut for ‘Sociedad in the 2009-2010 season.’ Antoine proved his skills and scored five goals in four games. In July 2014 he finally made his move to Atletico Madrid.
France finished runners-up as hosts at UEFA Euro 2016, while Griezmann was the top goalscorer and was voted the Player of the Tournament. He later won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a tournament in which he scored four goals, which earned him the Silver Boot as the second highest goal scorer of the tournament, won the Bronze Ball as the third best player, and was named man of the match in the final.
His good performance and skills helped him gain another contract with Madrid in 2016, of which he will be staying with the team until 2021.
Griezmann got married to Erika Choperena in 2017 whom he met in 2011. They both have two children, a daughter, Mia born in 2016 and a son, Amaro, born in 2019.
Griezmann is one of the top 10 highest paid footballers. His net worth totals $60 million in 2020, and he receives an annual salary of $27 million. His net worth is boost by his endorsement deals with brands such as Gillette and Huawei.
Early Life and Career of Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann born 21 March 1991, in Macon, France, to his parents, Alain Griemann (father) and Isabelle Griezmann (mother), Griezmann had his roots connected to football from his mother’s side. His father was a town councillor, with German roots while his mother, an ex hospital staff supervising the cleaning team, originates from Portugal, Her father played football for the Portuguese club, F.C. Paços de Ferreira. When he migrated to France, in 1957 when Griezmann’s mother was born.
Griezmann started his football career at an early age at UF Mâcon. He tried to attach himself football academies around the country but was rejected due to his size. He was able to prove his skills when he played for Montpellier Hérault Sport Club against Paris Saint-Germain youth academy. He put up an amazing performance which caught the attention of scouts of the Spanish club, Real Sociedad. He was approached and was offered a week trial, and was later extended to two weeks. After the trial period, the club then contacted his parents and formally offered the player a youth contract which will lead him to Spain. His parents agreed to the contract and Griezmann went on to Spain. He is potentially available to play for Athletic Bilbao, in spite of being born and growing up in the non-Basque areas of France.
At Real Sociedad, Griezmann did go to school during the day and trained for football in the evening. He waited for 4 years before his debut in first team. After an excellent performance in 5 games played, he was selected as a starter following the team.
Griezmann came in as a substitute in the 77th minute of a Copa del Rey game against Rayo Vallecano, thus making his competitive debut. He became a regular starter for the team. Griezmann signed a five year contract with Real Sociedad. In April 2010 until 2015, with a $36.3 million release clause, which was his first professional contract. Before signing his first contract, Griezmann had been subject to interest from EPL clubs Arsenal and Manchester United as well as French side Lyon and Auxerre, and after his contract, he went on to spend four years at Real Sociedad. Laliga club Atletico Madrid in July 2014, paid close to $36.3 million for Griezmann to move to the club. After passing the club’s medical test, he signed a six-year deal with Atletico. He debuted for Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de España against Real Madrid. At the conclusion of his first season with Atletico Madrid, he was the only Atletico Madrid player and one of the three forwards to be included in the Team of the Year at the Laliga Awards.
During his second season with Atletico Madrid, He proves himself as one of the best forwards in the world after his two strikes help eliminate Barcelona from the UEFA Champions League in a quarterfinal match. His contract was extended till 2021 after he signed a contract extension with the club. Atletico sensing that Griezmann may make a move to another club raised his release clause to $121.2 million.
In 2018-2019 season, his final season at Atletico, he helped Atletico hit a 4-3 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup. At the end of the season, Griezmann had scored 130 goals which made him Atletico Madrid fifth highest goal scorer. In May 2019, he announced to his fans that he will leave the club for La liga rivals Barcelona.
It was announced in July 2019, that Barcelona had signed Griezmann after paying $145.5 million buyout clause. His transfer was controversial as Atletico Madrid said the buyout clause paid by Barcelona was meant to be $242.5 million since Griezmann agreed to the move before 1st July. Griezmann currently plays for Barcelona and wears the number 17 jersey.
Antoine Griezmann Media and sponsorships
Griezmann has a sponsorship deal with German sportswear company Puma, and has appeared in commercials for the company.
He features in EA Sports‘ FIFA video game series: he appears on the cover of the French edition of FIFA 16 alongside global cover star Lionel Messi. He featured in advertisements for Beats Electronics headphones, alongside Harry Kane, Mario Götze and Cesc Fàbregas.
He is a brand ambassador for Head and Shoulders shampoo and Gillette, and has featured in several footballs themed television commercials.
In 2017 he became a global brand ambassador for Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Huawei, appearing in promotional campaigns for the P10 smartphone.
Problem Faced By Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann was an aspiring footballer since early years yet he encountered some problem on his journey to football academy; however, his genetics didn’t allow him to grow much in height. When he tried to attach himself to football academies around the country he was rejected due to his size until when he play for the local club ‘Montpellier in 2009-2010 season, then he was eventually noticed by several major clubs, including the French professional club ‘Real Sociedad,’ and finally made his move to Atletico Madrid In July 2014.
Lesson Learned From Antoine Griezmann
- Do what you love
Doing what you love can actually result to a great opportunity. When Griezmann was growing as a kid, he has passion for football, even though had his roots connected to football from his mother’s side. He started by playing for the local club ‘Montpellier’ before he finally signed a deal as a professional footballer in 2014.
- Determination
Been determine is one of the key success in life. When Antoine Griezmann was rejected due to his size,his natural talent and determination was able to prove his skills when he played for Montpellier Hérault Sport Club against Paris Saint-Germain youth academy, where he put up an amazing performance which caught the attention of scouts of the Spanish club, Real Sociedad and was approached and offered a week trial and was further extended to two weeks.
