A new “bombshell” transfer rumor surfaced, at least according to reports from Spain. Spanish sports show “El Chiringuito” claimed that Liga MX club Monterrey was interested in signing Antoine Griezmann. The speculation has now been firmly denied by José Antonio “Tato” Noriega, Monterrey’s sporting director.
In an interview with TUDN, Noriega was asked directly by journalist David Faitelson if there had been any contact with Griezmann. His response was quick and decisive: “No, it’s just another completely false story,” he said.
Why Monterrey aren’t chasing Griezmann
While praising Griezmann’s talent and qualities, Noriega made it clear that the French forward is not part of Monterrey’s plans, citing age as a major factor. “I’d love to see him in Liga MX, too. But we’re not at that stage. We’ve been bringing in high-caliber players, and that kind of stature is usually earned over time. Age is a factor when it comes to building leadership in any position,” he explained.
“The player reaches that level of leadership later in their career. We’ve had older players before, and we’re aware of the dynamics. Right now, we’re focused on bringing in young talent. We’re not in a position to sign a 34-year-old star. It would be great if he could be here, but the story is completely false,” Noriega added.
Monterrey’s Clausura 2026 start
Monterrey started the Clausura 2026 season with a defeat to Toluca, making their first three points crucial. In matchday two, the Rayados traveled to Estadio Victoria and secured a 2-0 win over a Necaxa side that had shown promise.
The team will now kick off matchday three on the road against Mazatlán, a fixture that should offer a prime opportunity for Monterrey to grab their second win of the tournament.