Antoine Griezmann, executive of the French football team and 2018 world champion, announced his international retirement this Monday, September 30. It’s a big surprise for followers of the Blues with whom he had 137 caps and scored 44 goals.
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It’s a real bolt from the blue in the blue sky of the French football team. The 2018 world champion, Antoine Griezmann announced his international retirement at the age of 33 this Monday, September 30. On his official X account, the now ex-player of the France team spoke in the background of a short video of less than two minutes. “ Today, it is with deep emotion that I announce my retirement as a player of the French team. After 10 incredible years, marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and make way for the new generation. Wearing this jersey was an honor and a privilege “.
Not many people could have imagined such an announcement from the vice-captain of the Blues the day after a derby he played with his club Atlético Madrid against Real Madrid (1-1) . Followers of the France team imagined instead seeing Antoine Griezmann with the blue jersey at least until the 2026 World Cup, but the 2018 world champion decided to stop the selections at 137 selections and the 44 goals with the the French team.
However, a few days ago, he said on the Téléfoot show: “ For me, the French team is something very important, a source of pride, I have always wanted it since I was little. I always want to play, to represent France, then it will be up to Didier Deschamps to choose. »
This retirement comes after Euro 2024 which will undoubtedly have been his worst tournament with the France team. Twice, he was on the substitutes’ bench, notably during the semi-final lost against Spain (2-1). In this competition, he was only a shadow of himself, contrasting with the image of the versatile player, executive and pillar of the Blues off and on the pitch. Antoine Griezmann was undoubtedly caught up with the reality of the high level at 33 years old and the fact of finding himself a substitute again during the last gathering of the France team in September surely helped him in his decision.
For 10 years and his first selection against the Netherlands on March 5, 2014, the former Barça player will have brought his class, his technique and his personality onto the field with the Blues to the point of being unanimous. The only black spot, and which will undoubtedly remain a small wound difficult to heal, was the decision of his coach Didier Deschamps to entrust the captain’s armband to Kylian Mbappé, after the international retirement of Hugo Lloris. Deschamps who was “reproached” for having Griezmann as his favorite…
After Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi, Raphaël Varane, Steve Mandanda or Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann is the new retired 2018 world champion.
From now on, the player, revealed at Real Sociedad, will devote himself to his club Atlético Madrid with whom he has become a legend, despite two seasons of infidelity at Barça. With the Colchoneros, the Frenchman is entering his ninth season, and relieved of the weight of the Blues, “Grizou” should raise the ambitions of the Madrid club even higher.
Reaction from Didier Deschamps, Coach of the France team
“ At the end of a long and successful reflection, Antoine decided to put an end to his magnificent international career. We had a long discussion about this recently. Since his debut in the French team ten years ago, he and I have maintained a relationship of trust and very frank relations. It’s never easy to draw a line under the French team. Especially when we represented it so well, so well embodied. It takes courage, lucidity and honesty and Antoine, in his analysis, did not lack it. This is to his credit.
Even if his club career is not over, Antoine was and will remain a monument of French football, one of the greatest players in its history. Beyond his 44 goals and 30 assists, his involvement in the results we have achieved over the last decade is immense. Driven by a collective spirit at all times and a rare altruism among offensive players, Antoine has always brought honor to football and the blue jersey. He never cheated.
Obviously, it is with great emotion that I note his international retirement. It has often been said that Antoine is my favorite. We had indeed established a very strong relationship, which will remain intact. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, my Grizou. »