World Cup-winner Antoine Griezmann could be embarrassed given the standard of Major League Soccer in 2026 if he doesn’t bring his A-game to the competition according to former USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
Orlando City confirmed the signing of the Atletico Madrid forward earlier this month with the 35-year-old set to make the move to Florida in July.
Griezmann will leave Europe having enjoyed a stellar career in Spain’s La Liga where he won a number of top competitions including the Europa League, Copa del Rey and the 2018 World Cup, as well as finishing third in the Ballon d’Or on two occasions.
However, Keller has warned the Frenchman that he cannot rest on his laurels once he makes the move to the United States, even if MLS retains the reputation of being a retirement league to some in the game.
Griezmann has scored six goals and created one assist in 26 games in La Liga this season and he will need to increase that return once he lands in Florida.
In an interview with Jackpot City Casino, Keller was asked for his thoughts on the Frenchman’s impending move to Orlando City.
“Am I excited to see Antoine Griezmann in MLS?” he said. “Look, you hear the tag ‘retirement league’. To a degree, there’s some truth to that.
“There’s a responsibility on those guys when they come over with the amount of money that they’re making compared to everyone else that they need to perform, that they need to put the effort in.”
Keller stressed that the standard of MLS now is such that players moving across the ocean in search of an easy ride will soon fall foul of the intensity of competition in the division.
“One thing that MLS has is athletes,” said the goalkeeper who made 102 appearances for the USMNT.
“If you come over trying to play at 50%, you’ll be embarrassed,” he added. “If you put the effort in, you’ll be successful.”
Despite his warnings, Keller does back Griezmann to show he has all the qualities required to be an important player for Orlando City.
“Obviously this Griezmann thing has been on and off again for months,” he concluded. “He is going to understand it’s different. If he is a leader, and leads by example, he’ll be successful.”
For Orlando City, a club that has consistently knocked on the door of the MLS elite, Griezmann could be the piece that completes that particular puzzle, provided he’s willing to keep running hard.
