La Liga’s Unluckiest Superstar: Sixteen Years, Zero Titles—But Griezmann Refuses to Give Up

Sometimes, destiny deals a cruel hand.

As 17-year-old Lamine Yamal calmly lifted his second La Liga title with Barcelona, a far more seasoned figure watched from the shadows—titleless once again. Antoine Griezmann, now 34, has spent nearly half his life in Spanish football. He’s dazzled fans, lifted a World Cup, and twice ranked third in the Ballon d’Or voting. Yet the one prize that has continually eluded him? A La Liga title.

In 2024–25, Griezmann and Atlético Madrid seemed to finally be on the right path. At the halfway mark of the season, Los Rojiblancos topped the table, riding high on an eight-game winning streak and an aura of invincibility. They had edged out Real Madrid to claim the symbolic “winter championship” and defeated Barcelona 2-1 in a statement performance. For Griezmann, long accustomed to near-misses, it must have felt like a long-awaited destiny was finally within reach.

But just as quickly, the dream dissolved.

A Second-Half Collapse for the Ages

The second half of the season was a nightmare. Atlético fell apart. Their dominance evaporated, their momentum vanished. What started as a title charge ended in disillusionment. A goalless draw with Alavés in Round 34 mathematically ended their title hopes. Barcelona, relentless in their pursuit, had surged 12 points ahead, rendering Atlético’s challenge futile with four games to spare.

In doing so, Atlético Madrid earned a dubious piece of history—they became the first team in La Liga to win the winter title and then crash out of the title race four matchdays early. No squad has crumbled quite like this. And no player has embodied that collapse more than Antoine Griezmann.

The Frenchman had 7 goals and 4 assists in the first half of the season, forming a fearsome partnership with Julián Álvarez. But his second-half numbers paint a much bleaker picture: just 1 goal and 2 assists. Worse still, he’s started only one of Atlético’s last five league matches, left to watch from the bench as the title slipped away.

The Curse of Consistency

Griezmann’s La Liga career is the paradox of greatness without glory.

He made his debut in 2009 with Real Sociedad. Since then, he’s played for three of Spain’s most prominent clubs—Sociedad, Barcelona, and Atlético. He’s appeared in 528 La Liga matches, scored 198 goals, and delivered 96 assists. But in all that time, he has never won a single league title.

His first stint at Atlético (2014–2019) saw him finish second in the league twice and third three times. His big-money move to Barcelona in 2019 promised silverware. Instead, he collected a runner-up medal in year one and a third-place finish in year two. After returning to Atlético in 2021, the pattern continued. More brilliance. No titles.

It’s not that he hasn’t delivered individually—Griezmann has been nothing short of elite. Whether playing as a striker, second forward, or even deeper in midfield, he’s consistently been among the league’s most intelligent and effective players. But somehow, the stars never aligned.

In another universe, had he stayed one more year at Real Sociedad, joined Barcelona a year earlier, or timed his transfers differently, he might have several La Liga titles to his name. But football doesn’t reward what-ifs. It rewards results.

A Champion Without a Crown

Despite his lack of league success, Griezmann is a genuine footballing great. His résumé includes:

• World Cup Winner (2018)

• UEFA Europa League Winner (2018)

• Supercopa de España (2023)

• Ballon d’Or Top 3 Finisher (2016, 2018)

• Over 450 combined goals and assists in club football

• France’s second all-time top scorer behind Olivier Giroud

Yet, for all the medals and milestones, his domestic league shelf remains empty.

That makes Griezmann an anomaly. Few modern superstars have been so consistently excellent for so long, yet so routinely denied the top domestic honor. He’s played through multiple golden generations at both Atlético and Barcelona. He’s faced off against the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly and outlived them in La Liga. But the crown has always just slipped through his fingers.

Not Ready to Say Goodbye

There has been speculation that this summer might mark the end of his La Liga chapter. With his contract expiring in 2026 and a long, decorated career behind him, the idea of a move to the United States—Major League Soccer—has gained traction. Retirement in a slower-paced, less demanding league could be tempting.

But according to Marca, Griezmann isn’t ready to quit just yet. The Frenchman is reportedly determined to stay at Atlético for at least one more season. His motivation? To win “one important trophy”—either La Liga or the UEFA Champions League—before he calls time on his storied career.

He’s also chasing personal history. Griezmann is just two goals shy of hitting 200 in La Liga, and three short of 200 career goals for Atlético. Those are legacy-defining numbers. They would cement him in the history books of both club and country. But for Griezmann, the pursuit is more than statistical. It’s emotional. He wants to prove that, even at 34, he’s still among the best forwards in the world.

Commentary: A Tragic Hero Still Chasing Glory

Antoine Griezmann is football’s version of a Shakespearean protagonist—brilliant, beloved, and burdened by fate.

In an age when careers are often judged by trophies alone, Griezmann stands out as a reminder that greatness isn’t always measured in medals. His loyalty to Atlético, his unmatched work rate, and his elegance on the pitch have made him a cult hero. But for all the love, he craves vindication. Not from fans. Not from critics. From history.

Because history doesn’t always remember the nearly-men. It remembers the winners.

Griezmann’s refusal to walk away quietly is not just admirable—it’s heroic. While others might chase lucrative contracts in less competitive leagues, he stays in the fire, chasing the one thing he’s never had. It's not about money. It’s not even about legacy. It’s about closure.

So here he is, one more time. The man who’s done it all except win the league. The icon without a crown. Ready to run it back. Ready to defy the odds. Ready to finally, maybe, prove destiny wrong.