MLS keeps landing the big names, folks.
World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann is in advanced discussions to leave Atletico Madrid for Orlando City SC in what would be a blockbuster MLS signing. The 35-year-old French forward would become one of the league's highest-profile players - and that's saying something in an era when MLS is attracting legitimate world-class talent.
Let me be clear: Griezmann to Orlando isn't just about one player. It's proof that America is becoming a legitimate destination for world-class talent. Not a retirement league. Not a place where washed-up stars go to collect paychecks. A real, competitive league that top players want to join.
Think about Griezmann's resume. World Cup champion with France. Years at the highest level with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Ballon d'Or finalist. Champions League veteran. This is a serious player.
Yes, he's 35. Yes, he's not in his absolute prime anymore. But he's still producing at Atletico. He's still a difference-maker. This isn't some nostalgia signing - this is Orlando City landing a player who can help them win now.
MLS has come a long way in the past decade. David Beckham and Thierry Henry paved the way. Lorenzo Insigne, Giorgio Chiellini, and others followed. Now Griezmann. The league is growing up before our eyes.
What I love about this is that it's Orlando City. Not LA Galaxy. Not New York. Not one of the traditional big markets. Orlando. That shows you how the league has evolved - every team can compete for stars now.
The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America. The soccer infrastructure is expanding. Investment is pouring in. The quality of play is rising. And players like Griezmann are noticing.
Will he dominate MLS the way he dominated La Liga? Maybe not. But he'll raise the profile of the league. He'll sell tickets. He'll mentor young American players. He'll show that MLS is a place where real soccer happens.
This isn't about a retirement tour. This is about MLS establishing itself as a league that matters. One star signing at a time. That's what sports is all about, folks.
