Who is Antoine Griezmann: Biography, Personal Life, Family and Football Career

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Antoine Griezman (born March 21, 1991) is a professional football player from France who currently plays as a striker for the Spanish Side FC Barcelona (#17) and the France National Team (#7). He had already created a reputation for himself as one of the best strikers in the world. Among the players who contributed tremendously to the success of the French team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, one player who caught the attention of football lovers was Antoine Griezmann.

Background: Childhood & Early Life

Griezmann was born to a father of German descent and a mother of Portuguese descent. As a kid, Griezmann began his career by playing for the hometown club UF Macon. During his time with the club, he embarked on several trials in many professional clubs. But he failed to earn a spot because of his slight frame and size. While on trial with Montpellier in 2005, he played a friendly match against Paris Saint Germain. Because of his performance, he was successful in impressing many clubs and he was offered a one-week trial in San Sebastian.

His father was a town councilor, with German roots while his mother, an ex-hospital staff originates from Portugal. Her father played football for the Portuguese club, F.C. Paços de Ferreira. When he emigrated to France, in 1957, Griezmann’s mother was born.

Griezmann began his football career at an early age at UF Mâcon. He tried to earn places in youth academies around the country but was turned down due to his size. He got his breakthrough when he played for Montpellier Hérault Sport Club against Paris Saint-Germain youth academy. Griezmann put up an impressive performance that caught the attention of scouts of the Spanish club, Real Sociedad. Griezmann was approached and was offered a week trial, which was extended to two weeks. After the trial period elapsed, his parents were offered a youth contract which will take young Griezmann to Spain. His parents agreed to the contract and young Griezmann went on to Spain.

Antoine Griezmann wife, children, and other personal details

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Antoine Griezmann has been in a relationship with Erika Choperena, a Spanish native of the Basque Country since 2011. In his autobiography, the French international admitted that he pursued her before she eventually agreed to go out with him. As per The Sun, Erika is a qualified child psychologist after completing her studies in San Sebastian. She ran a popular beauty blog called Cordialmente Erika, but it was deactivated after her relationship with Griezmann went public. She accompanied the attacker during the last Euros and was often seen in the stands celebrating as her partner bagged the player of the tournament.

The couple got married in 2017 in Toledo at the 11th century Palacio de Galiana and have three children together. Antoine Griezmann's wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mia, on 8 April 2016. Three years later on the same day, she gave birth to a second child Amaro, named after Antoine's grandfather Amaro Lopes. Earlier this year, Choperena gave birth to their third child on April 8, named Alba. Thus all three siblings were born on the same day in a truly astonishing moment.

Antoine Griezmann Professional Football Career

Debut

He made his debut for Real Sociedad in 2009 in their pre-season campaign. In this season, he scored five goals in four appearances. He made his competitive debut for the club on 2 September 2009 in the Copa del Ray match against Rayo Vallecano. For Atletico Madrid, he made his competitive debut on 19 August 2014 in the first leg of 2014 Supercopa de Espana. Also, he made his youth international debut for France Under-19 in a draw against Ukraine.

Rise to glory

Griezmann became a regular member of the Real Sociedad very quickly. After he made his debut, he appeared in most of the matches of the season. When he signed a five-year contract with the club, he drew considerable interest with the Ligue 1 clubs Lyon, Saint Etienne, and Auxerre. He became one of the prominent members of the team as he started scoring goals frequently.

Low points

In late 2010, there came a period of nine matches when Griezmann failed to score a goal. He went scoreless for nine consecutive matches. The fact that he was scoring goals very frequently highlighted this period even more.

Records and achievements

In 2015, Griezmann became the French player to have the highest total in a single Spanish Top-division campaign. He scored 22 goals in that season. He was the only Atletico player and one of the three players in Team of the year at the LFP awards, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He finished at third place in Ballon d’Or 2016 and also in the Best FIFA Men’s player 2016. He was awarded the Best player award for La Liga 2016. Also, he was the French Player of the year in 2016 and he has many more awards to his name.

Antoine Griezmann Club

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Real Sociedad (2009–2014)

At Real Sociedad, Griezmann went to school during the day and trained in the evening. He had to wait for 4 years before he debuted in the team’s first team. After a brilliant performance in 5 games played, Griezmann was selected as a starter following the team’s left winger injury.

In the 77th minute of a Copa del Rey game against Rayo Vallecano, Griezmann came in as a substitute, thus making his competitive debut. He went on to debut in Laliga four days later. He thus became a regular starter for the team. In April 2010, Griezmann signed a five-year contract with Real Sociedad, with a €30 million release clause, that contract was his first professional contract. Before signing his contract, Griezmann had been subject to interest from EPL clubs Arsenal and Manchester United as well as French side Lyon and Auxerre. After his contract, Griezmann went on to spend four years at Real Sociedad.

Atletico Madrid (2014–2019)

In July 2014, fellow Laliga club Atletico Madrid paid close to €30 million for Griezmann to make the move to the club. After passing the club’s medical evaluation, Griezmann signed a six-year contract with Atletico. He debuted for Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de España against Real Madrid. Six months after signing with Atletico, Griezmann received the Laliga Player of the Match for January 2015. At the conclusion of his first season with Atletico Madrid, Griezmann 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, Griezmann was off with a fiery start which made the world reckon with his skill and agility. He further proves his calibre 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. Atletico Madrid went on to the final of the competition where they lost to Real Madrid in a penalty shoot-out. Griezmann’s contract was extended till 2021 after he signed a contract extension with the club. Though his 2016/17 season with Atletico Madrid was trophyless, he received Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Player Award nominations. Atletico sensing that Griezmann may make a move to another club raised his release clause to €100 million.

After earning a red card, his first at Atletico Madrid, and a two-match ban, Griezmann was named La Liga Player of the Month for February 2018. He went on to become the third player to score 100 goals for Atletico Madrid in the 21st century, as well as help his side win the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League. Amidst rumours that tied Griezmann to a €100 million move to Barcelona, Griezmann signed a contract extension with Atletico Madrid which will see him at the club till 2023.

In his final season at Atletico, the 2018/19 season, he helped Atletico clinch 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 the dismay of Atletico Madrid fans that he will leave the club for Laliga rivals Barcelona.

FC Barcelona (2019–date)

In July 2019, it was announced that Barcelona had signed Griezmann after paying the €120 million buyout clause. His transfer was controversial as Atletico Madrid said the buyout clause paid by Barcelona was meant to be €200 million since Griezmann agreed to the move before July 1 when his buyout clause was reduced from €200 million to €120 million.

Griezmann currently plays for Barcelona and wears the number 17 jersey.

Antoine Griezmann National Team Career

Though he was not noticed by French youth clubs due to his stay in Spain, Griezmann was invited to the French U-19 side after his success at Real Sociedad in 2010. He played for France in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. Griezmann at certain times contemplated switching allegiance to the Portuguese National side. In February 2014, he received the call to play for the French senior side he went on to play in the 2014 World Cup, the Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup, and the inaugural 2019 Nations League.

Antoine Griezmann Net worth, Salary & Endorsements

According to Forbes, Griezmann is worth in the region of $61.5m and is one of the highest-paid players in the sport. He is said to have earned $20.5m in basic salary in 2020, with another $6.8m coming in endorsements.

He has also promoted sportswear products for German company Puma and is a brand ambassador for Head & Shoulders shampoo and Gillette, appearing in a number of television commercials. He is a global brand ambassador for Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Huawei.

A keen gamer, he launched his own esports organization, Griz Esport in early 2020.

Is Antoine Griezmann French?

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Antoine Griezmann was born and brought up in France but is original of German and Portuguese descent. His father's family originated from Munster, Germany, while his mother is of Portuguese descent. The French international's grandfather Amaro Lopes was a Portuguese footballer for Paços de Ferreira and Griezmann often spent his holidays in Portugal. The Barcelona star is eligible to represent Portugal and Germany, but eventually chose his home country France. However, the former Atletico Madrid star once considered switching his allegiance in 2012 after he was banned for more than a month during his youth international days for disciplinary reasons. A switch to Portugal was on the cards but Griezmann eventually decided to stay put and reaped rewards.

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