Antoine Griezmann: The Search for His Successor in World Football
Antoine Griezmann has quietly built one of the most distinguished careers in football over the past decade. From lifting the World Cup with France to making headlines with Barcelona and thriving under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid, Griezmann’s influence both at club and international level is undeniable. As he approaches the later stages of his career and with his record as France’s all-time leading assister, the football world turns its attention to identifying the next player who could embody his unique mix of creativity, intelligence, and versatility.
Defining the Griezmann Archetype
To find a true successor, it’s first necessary to understand what sets Griezmann apart. Far more than a traditional striker, Griezmann seamlessly transitions between roles—whether as a central playmaker (’10’), a forward (‘9’), operating as part of a front two, or drifting wide. His tactical flexibility allows him to impact play across all attacking phases.
During a recent La Liga campaign, Griezmann contributed an impressive 15 goals and 16 assists, participating in every match. His statistics place him in the top percentiles for both shot creation (5.03 shot-creating actions per match) and defensive contributions (top 1% for tackles and interceptions among his peers). Known for his movement in half-spaces, he consistently positions himself between opposition lines, supporting attacks while understanding when to drop deeper or push forward. His combination of creative vision, technical quality, and tactical intelligence makes him a rare type of footballer.
Core Criteria for a Modern Griezmann Successor
Any potential heir to Griezmann’s throne must excel in several key areas:
– Tactical intelligence and anticipation
– Positional versatility across attacking roles
– Proficiency in progressive passing and carrying the ball
– Technical quality in the final third, including finishing and chance creation
– High defensive work rate and awareness
While it’s challenging to mirror Griezmann’s complete skillset, certain emerging talents across Europe display promising signs.
Seven Rising Stars Compared
After an extensive analysis, seven players have emerged as top candidates for carrying Griezmann’s legacy forward:
- Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
- Julio Enciso (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
- Xavi Simons (PSV Eindhoven)
- Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo)
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Let’s break down how each compares across the most vital attributes.
Tactical Intelligence and Reading the Game
A defining trait of Griezmann is his footballing IQ—constantly scanning, identifying spaces, and proactively shaping the team’s build-up play. Among the potential successors:
– Florian Wirtz ranks highly for his positional awareness and ability to receive progressive passes (7.1 per 90 minutes in 2022/23) and initiate direct involvement in build-up.
– Rayan Cherki stands out even further, receiving 12.5 progressive passes and completing 5.0 progressive runs per 90 minutes, showcasing a relentless desire to get on the ball.
– Julio Enciso leads in successful attacking duels (49.1%) and displays versatile movement and anticipation, promising for both midfield and forward roles.
In summary, Wirtz, Cherki, and Enciso all show advanced game intelligence approaching Griezmann’s standards.
Progressive Play: Passing and Carrying
Creating opportunities requires not just vision but the technical ability to execute progressive actions:
– Cherki excels with a progressive passing completion rate of 87.5%, 5.1 passes into the box per game, and 6.39 progressive carries, reflecting a playmaking hub in high-pressure zones.
– Daichi Kamada, operating in a dynamic Frankfurt side, completed 74% of his forward passes (just a percent behind Griezmann) and facilitated transitions with a similar intensity.
– Xavi Simons offers strong data as a long and progressive passer, while Wirtz is known for his direct runs with the ball.
– Enciso is particularly strong in 1v1 situations and dribbling past opponents.
Cherki’s balance of creativity and progressiveness places him nearly on par with Griezmann in this aspect, while Kamada and the others have complementary strengths.
Quality and Composure in the Final Third
Griezmann’s clinical finishing and creative output (15 goals, 16 assists in a recent season) are benchmarks for any successor:
– Xavi Simons notched 0.68 goal contributions per 90 minutes during the Eredivisie season, highlighting his efficiency in Netherlands’ top flight.
– Dani Olmo surpassed Griezmann’s assist rate per 90 (0.36 vs. 0.34) while offering versatility as a forward or attacking midfielder.
– Enciso’s sample size is smaller, but his successful attacking actions (6.2 per 90) hint at a high ceiling, while Cherki leads the group with 7.8 successful attacking actions per 90.
– Kamada contributed 9 goals and 6 assists for Frankfurt, demonstrating his value in the attacking third, but not quite at Griezmann’s prolific level.
For pure end-product, Randal Kolo Muani (also noteworthy) contributed to more Bundesliga goals than any player in 2022/23, aligning closely with Griezmann’s output.
Defensive Work Rate and Off-the-Ball Energy
While celebrated for his attacking play, Griezmann’s willingness to defend is often overlooked. He frequently drops deep, pressing and intercepting in midfield zones, contributing to the team’s compactness and regaining possession:
– Gabri Veiga impressed at Celta Vigo with 3.57 possession-adjusted interceptions per 90, mirroring Griezmann’s commitment to pressing and transitional defense.
– Julio Enciso emerges here as particularly effective, excelling in pressing and 1v1 defensive actions.
– Florian Wirtz brings energy in blocking passing lanes and disrupting opposition build-up.
– Conversely, Rayan Cherki demonstrates less interest in defensive responsibilities, often remaining higher up the pitch to focus on attacking play, influenced in part by team tactics.
Players successful at both ends of the pitch, like Veiga and Enciso, are best poised to emulate Griezmann’s two-way effectiveness.
Who Is the Closest Match to Antoine Griezmann?
Based on a holistic assessment of tactical awareness, creativity, final-third quality, and defensive tenacity, Julio Enciso of Brighton & Hove Albion emerges as the standout candidate. Despite his youth and limited top-flight experience, Enciso combines dribbling prowess, spatial awareness, and a strong defensive ethic—traits critical to Griezmann’s own style.
Other notable names like Cherki (for pure creative ability), Wirtz (for intelligence and carrying), and Kamada (for progressive play), each bring key elements to the table. Ultimately, Enciso’s multidimensional potential marks him as the young player most likely to follow in Griezmann’s footsteps on the world stage.
Conclusion
Identifying the next Antoine Griezmann requires more than just comparing statistics—it’s about finding a player who can consistently drive attacking play, contribute defensively, adapt to various roles, and make intelligent decisions under pressure. While Griezmann remains a rare breed, promising talents like Julio Enciso are showing glimpses of carrying his legacy forward, potentially shaping the future face of modern football. As these rising stars develop, the quest for the next all-action, playmaking forward continues, ensuring the Griezmann mold lives on in years to come.
