Griezmann’s decline in 2025 reflects rollercoaster season for Atletico

Atletico play in front of their fans for the last time this season on Sunday against Real Betis. In what has been a rollercoaster season for them, the Rojiblancos went from leading standings at the turn of the calendar year to seeing aspirations for titles drastically disappear. They also missed out on Copa del Rey and Champions League glory after they were knocked out by Barcelona in the semi-finals and Real Madrid in the last 16, respectively.

And their decline in the second half of the campaign can also be noted on an individual level, specifically by looking at Antoine Griezmann. After starring in the first part of the season, the Frenchman has been cast into the background in recent months. The No. 7 has only scored five goals and provided three assists so far in 2025, when, instead, he racked up 11 goals and six assists between August and December.

The former Barca forward was last on target on February 25, almost three months ago. A total of 14 consecutive matches without scoring sees him edge closer to his worst-ever drought with the Colchoneros, which lasted 17 games, from February to May 2022.

Despite his sudden drop in performance, head coach Simeone has continued to trust Griezmann, with 21 of his 28 appearances since January being starts. That said, the trend has changed over recent weeks. The 34-year-old has been demoted to a substitute in 4 of Atletico’s last 5 outings, something that already seems a new reality for the Frenchman.

Just like Atletico fell from the summit of the Spanish top flight in 2025, Griezmann has also disappeared from most rankings throughout the second half of the season. Although he still remains Atletico's third-best scorer this season with 16 goals and top assistman with 9 goal passes, the reality is rather different.

Looking at the season until December, Griezmann was the team's biggest contributor in attack. He was also the third-highest in most successful passes into the box (16) and second in key passes with 13 (he is now third, with 21). Where he has seen the biggest decline is evidently in attack. He was Atletico's fourth-highest ranked in terms of most shots (37) and third in shots on target (18), but he has vanished completely since 2025.

Griezmann's lacklustre form in 2025 has also stirred debate over a possible renewal. With his Atletico contract reaching its expiration date on June 30 2026, fans are divided between keeping him at the club and letting him go. With his future up in the air, the all-time Atletico top scorer could be lured out of Europe, with MLS sides already putting offers on the table. What is certain is that he will play the Club World Cup next month. The rest, time will tell.