On Sunday night, Antoine Griezmann made his 521st appearance in LALIGA, surpassing Lionel Messi to become the foreign player with the most appearances in the competition. This milestone adds to the already impressive legacy of the Atlético Madrid hero.
Griezmann's journey in LALIGA began in his debut season with Real Sociedad, where he made 39 appearances in the second tier, now known as LALIGA Hypermotion. Over time, he would accumulate a total of 180 appearances across the top two tiers for La Real and score 44 goals. It was during this period that Griezmann's talents attracted the attention of Atlético Madrid.
After joining Atlético, Griezmann would later have a stint at Barcelona between 2019 and 2021, during which he made 74 LALIGA appearances and netted 22 goals. However, it is with Atlético that Griezmann has truly left his mark, having played 267 games and scored 123 goals for the club.
Griezmann's love for Spain is evident in his words. He expresses gratitude to the country, stating, 'I owe the country a lot, they opened their arms to me, provided me with my education. The most important part of my education has been Spanish.' His connection goes even deeper as his wife is also Spanish, further solidifying his happiness and pride in being in Spain.
Interestingly, Griezmann has faced Real Madrid 28 times in LALIGA and has never missed a domestic league game against the current leaders of the competition. Out of these matches, he has found the back of the net on eight occasions, six for Atlético and two for Real Sociedad. His consistent performance against the giants of Spanish football highlights his impact and skill.
Diego Simeone, the coach of Atlético Madrid, recognizes the significance of Griezmann's contributions to the club's history. After Griezmann surpassed Luis Aragonés' record as Atlético's all-time top goalscorer last month, Simeone emphasized the importance of taking care of such a legacy. Griezmann, with 175 goals in all competitions, aims to continue adding to his tally before his contract expires in 2026.
Antoine Griezmann's 521st appearance in LALIGA is an incredible feat that solidifies his stature as one of the league's most exceptional foreign players. His journey, from his early days at Real Sociedad to his current success with Atlético Madrid, is a testament to his talent, dedication, and affection for Spanish football. As Griezmann continues to make his mark in LALIGA, fans eagerly await the new records he will set and the goals he will score.
