SOCCER: Griezmann dares to dream after Atletico oust Barca in his farewell season

MADRID – Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is daring to dream of a fairytale ending as his team advances to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in nine years. Despite a 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday, Atletico secured their place in the last four with a 3-2 aggregate score, leaving the Metropolitano crowd breathing a sigh of relief at the final whistle.

For Griezmann, 35, the night was one full of emotion. The Frenchman, who has already announced he will leave at the end of the season to join MLS side Orlando City, is bidding farewell to a remarkable spell at Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann’s journey began in 2014 when he first arrived at Atletico from Real Sociedad. After a stint at Barcelona between 2019 and 2022, he returned to Madrid, reconnecting with the fans and becoming a key figure in Diego Simeone’s 15-year project. With 211 goals and 97 assists, Griezmann is Atletico’s all-time top scorer.

However, silverware has eluded the club during Griezmann’s tenure, with the 2018 Europa League remaining the only major trophy in his Atletico career. Now, this season represents his final opportunity to depart with something special.

Atletico is now just two matches away from their first Champions League final since 2016. In the semi-finals, they will face either Arsenal or Sporting, with the London side leading 1-0 ahead of Wednesday’s second leg.

"I'm very happy," Griezmann told reporters after the match. "It doesn’t matter who we face, as long as we’re still in it and in top form. This has been a tough tie against a top-class side like Barcelona. It’s been a struggle, but we’re still in it."

Domestically, Griezmann could be celebrating glory as soon as Saturday when Atletico faces Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final in Seville, a match that could bring the club’s first domestic cup since 2013. With a four-season drought for silverware, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Atletico.

“It’s going to be a great match, a tough one,” Griezmann said. “We’ll need to rest and then focus on Saturday. What a great feeling."

The veteran forward added: “I hope I can help my teammates to do something beautiful this season, something historical. Our fans deserve it."

After the Champions League win, Griezmann stayed on the pitch for several minutes to enjoy the atmosphere with the supporters, a moment he described as fantastic. "Let’s keep going," he said.

With the possibility of making history, Griezmann and Atletico Madrid look to make the most of their final stretch of the season.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters