WATCH: NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes meets Antoine Griezmann, duo SWAP signed jerseys

Antoine Griezmann linked up with Patrick Mahomes as the duo exchanged jerseys.

WATCH: NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes meets Antoine Griezmann, duo SWAP signed jerseys

Antoine Griezmann and Patrick Mahomes. (Via X/@atletiuniverse)

French football/soccer star Antoine Griezmann, known for his love of American sports, recently caught the attention of fans by connecting with an NFL player on social media. Griezmann, a World Cup champion, is a big NBA fan, with Derrick Rose as his favorite player. However, it was the Kansas City Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes whom the French player met with.

The reigning NFL MVP and the Atletico Madrid star met ahead of an exhibition match on Sunday, in Germany. The duo was later seen exchanging signed jerseys as well. Both jerseys were named ‘Mahomes’. While one was an NFL kit, the other was an Atletico jersey, with Patrick Mahomes’ surname name on the back.

YouTube video

Antoine Griezmann’s love for American sports and his deep interest in the MLS is no secret. The player has also announced that his priority is to sign for an MLS club after his time at Atletico comes to a close, mainly due to the ‘sporting culture’ up there in the States according to him.

FS Video

Following the link-up, fans have made fun of the player for swapping two Mahomes jerseys instead of having his own. In the viral clip, another Atletico Madrid star, Koke can also be spotted.

Diego Simeone defends controversial Griezmann decision during defeat to Las Palmas

Atletico Madrid have 25 points, and are fourth in La Liga after 11 games. The side managed by Diego Simeone were dealt their second loss of the season on Saturday, as they lost 2-1 to Las Palmas. In a gritty encounter, two second-half goals proved too much for the away side- who could only response with an 86th-minute goal by Alvaro Morata.

Griezmann and Koke on the bench vs Las Palmas
Griezmann and Koke on the bench vs Las Palmas. (Via X/@atletiuniverse)

The loss ended a six-game winning streak in La Liga. After Las Palmas scored first, Simeone controversially substituted Griezmann and club captain Koke in the 60th minute. The media criticized his choice, but he defended it in a post-match interview.

Justifying the substitution, Diego Simeone said: 

I saw that there were other teammates who could make a better impression on the game, and at some point, I think they did.

Griezmann and Koke have been indispensable for the club so far. While the Frenchman has 9 goals so far in all competitions, Koke has also been performing consistently for Los Colchoneros. So, the decision to sit them out for this one and then go on to lose the game has not quite sit well within the fans.

In case you missed it: