Antoine Griezmann now knows he will leave Atlético Madrid without having won a single major trophy with the Colchoneros in Spain, following Saturday’s defeat in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad (2-2, 3-4 on penalties). Ten years of bad luck for the Frenchman…
Can you become a club legend without winning a single major trophy on the domestic stage? Of course you can. Dimitri Payet proved it at Olympique de Marseille, as did Antoine Griezmann with Atlético Madrid.
For in ten years with the Colchoneros, the Frenchman has failed to lift either La Liga or the Copa del Rey, his team having lost in the final to Real Sociedad (2-2, 3-4 on penalties) on Saturday.
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A match that illustrates the curse to some extent, as the Frenchman showcased his magical left foot with a superb assist for Ademola Lookman’s equaliser (18th minute), but his teammates once again crumbled due to individual errors. This was evident in the opening goal conceded by the Madrid defence just 14 seconds into the game, or the penalty given away by goalkeeper Juan Musso following a disastrous aerial challenge just before half-time (45+1).
Two unforgivable mistakes that decided the Rojiblancos’ fate in the final. “It’s been a tough night. We started by losing the match from the kick-off, but the team gave it their all and fought hard,” admitted Koke, captain and close friend of “Grizou”. Facing his former club, the 2018 World Cup winner was substituted with twenty minutes remaining in normal time. He was not involved in the build-up to Julian Alvarez’s superb equaliser (83’) nor in extra time.
His only Copa del Rey title was won in Barcelona
No penalty shoot-out for him either. Might the outcome have been different thanks to the composure of his left foot? In any case, he would not have done any worse than Alexander Sørloth and Alvarez, who missed Madrid’s first two attempts. But regardless of who the culprits were, the outcome remains the same for Griezmann, who will therefore leave Atlético this summer without having won a single major trophy in Spain whilst wearing the colours of the club of his life, which he joined in 2014.
No La Liga title, no Copa del Rey – the only one on his list of honours having been won with FC Barcelona in 2021, at the end of his two-year spell with the Blaugrana. He has therefore tasted the joy of a domestic title elsewhere, and the Colchoneros have also experienced it without him, having won the league twice since the turn of the century: in 2014, just before his arrival, and in 2021, before he ended his Catalan exile. A veritable curse… which could still end on a high note.
The Champions League to end on a high note?
For it may be on the European stage that Griezmann brings joy to Atlético’s supporters. The Copa del Rey final is best forgotten, but there remains a Champions League semi-final to play against Arsenal, before a potential title to be won against Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich. It would be a fine story, and would erase the memory of the 2016 final, in which the Frenchman missed a penalty in the defeat to Real Madrid (1-1, 3-5 on penalties).
Transfer news: a Ligue 2 star heading to Manchester City
A rising star at Troyes, Mathys Detourbet is set to join Manchester City. An agreement is reported to have been reached between the two City Football Group clubs regarding the transfer of the young winger, who could remain at ESTAC should the club be promoted to Ligue 1.
The revelation of the season in Ligue 2, where he has gradually established himself as a first-team regular at Troyes, Mathys Detourbet is unlikely to stay in this league for long.
On the one hand, because ESTAC are highly likely to be playing in Ligue 1 next season, and on the other because the 18-year-old winger is set to join Manchester City.
Detourbet secured by Manchester City for €15m?
Fast, powerful, technically gifted, creative and with plenty of room for improvement, Detourbet is the archetypal attacking midfielder highly rated on the transfer market. Unsurprisingly, his medium-term future seems set to lie far from Troyes. According to information from journalist Sacha Tavolieri on Friday, an agreement has been reached between ESTAC and Manchester City for the transfer of the 18-year-old talent, for a fee of €15 million.
A substantial sum, reflecting Detourbet’s immense potential, and which highlights the link between the Troyes club and the Skyblues, both members of the City Football Group. However, Foot Mercato reports a different and more measured account of the negotiations: the English club does indeed wish to sign Detourbet, but has not yet secured the agreement of the Ligue 2 side, which is reportedly asking for €25 million.
A possible loan to ESTAC in the event of promotion to Ligue 1
The scenario envisaged, should the deal go through, nevertheless leaves the door open for an additional season at Troyes. Should ESTAC be promoted to Ligue 1, Detourbet is expected to be loaned back to his former club, according to Tavolieri. This option would suit all parties: City would secure the future of a young player with great potential, Troyes would retain a key attacking player in its quest for stability, and the player would continue his development in a familiar environment, in an even more demanding context, taking on greater responsibilities.
On the pitch, ESTAC are well placed to make this scenario a reality. Currently top of Ligue 2, the Aube-based club are four points clear of third-placed Le Mans with four games remaining. Promotion is not yet guaranteed, but Troyes hold their destiny in their own hands. With the prospect of another season with Detourbet potentially on the line, promotion is crucial for more than one reason.
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