“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”. It was with these few words, and a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, that Antoine Griezmann announced, to everyone’s surprise, his decision to retire internationally. Playing master of the French team for 10 years, the Atlético de Madrid player leaves the Blues after 137 caps and two major titles (2018 World Cup, 2021 Nations League).
A first selection in 2014, a Euro 2016 at home with a bitter taste, an exceptional 2018 World Cup final, a 2022 World Cup in the service of the collective… A look back at the notable dates in Antoine Griezmann’s international career.
March 5, 2014: the beginning of a great story
Author of a thunderous season with Real Sociedad (15 goals and 4 assists in 26 league matches), the young Antoine Griezmann, then aged 22, caught the eye of Didier Deschamps. While a 2014 World Cup in Brazil is looming where the French team, qualified at the last minute after a stunning barrage against Ukraine (0-2 in Ukraine, 3-0 in France), lacks offensive creators, the coach of the Blues decides to launch the native of Mâcon into the deep end.
Starting against the Netherlands in a friendly, Antoine Griezmann played 68 consistent minutes at the Stade de France. Striking on his left side, the Frenchman was not decisive for the 2-0 victory of the French team (goals from Blaise Matudi and Karim Benzema) but seduced the French supporters who did not hesitate to give him a standing ovation. exit. The beginnings of a crazy love between the French public and their number 7.
July 4, 2014: heartbreaking tears
After satisfactory performances with the French team and club, Antoine Griezmann was selected by Didier Deschamps to participate in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. For his first international tournament, the Frenchman arrives launched. In preparation, he scored his first goal for the Blues against Paraguay in a 1-1 draw (June 1, 2014) before scoring his first double a week later against Jamaica, which France beat 8-0 ( June 8, 2014).
In Brazil, Antoine Griezmann is already a major player in the France team. Starting against Honduras (3-0 victory) and Ecuador (0-0), the Real Sociedad player will also come into play against Switzerland (5-2 victory) and Nigeria in the round of 16 (2-0 victory). Satisfying, the native of Mâcon is part of the starting 11 for the clash against Germany in the quarter-finals. Beaten 1-0 by the future world champions, the French team is eliminated. In tears, Antoine Griezmann moves the entire French public and enters a little deeper into the hearts of the Blues supporters. A first disappointment
July 7, 2016: a semi-final at the Panthéon
Arriving at Atlético de Madrid in the summer of 2014, Antoine Griezmann arrives at Euro 2016 in France with a new status. Great man of the Liga season finished in 3rd place by the Colchoneros (22 goals and 6 assists), the Frenchman, after an exceptional campaign in the Champions League (7 goals and an assist), saw his dream of winning the C1 disappear after a defeat on penalties against Real Madrid . Now a reference player in European football, he splashes the 2016 European Championship in France with his talent.
A goal against Albania in the group stage (2-0), a double against Ireland in the round of 16 (3-1) then a goal and two assists against Iceland in the quarterfinals (5-2). Before the Euro 2016 semi-final against Germany, Antoine Griezmann is beaming. And the French public hadn’t seen anything yet. Facing the reigning world champions, the number 7 of the Blues dried his tears of 2014 and eliminated the team on his own. A double in a melting Vélodrome stadium and a qualification for the final of Euro 2016, at home, against Portugal.
READ ALSO. Atlético de Madrid – Real Madrid. Far from the Blues, Antoine Griezmann finds color
Unfortunately for the Blues, the dream turned into a nightmare and the Portuguese, thanks to a goal from Eder in overtime (1-0), won the first international title in their history. This time, no tears but the feeling of a dream slipping away for Antoine Griezmann, who will also, probably, lose the Ballon d’Or that evening (3rd), despite being awarded the title of best player and best scorer of Euro 2016.
July 15, 2018: the consecration
In Russia, for the 2018 World Cup, Antoine Griezmann is fed up with failures. The playing master of the French team takes matters into his own hands and achieves a high-level World Cup. Four goals, four assists and a very high level final to allow the Blues to hang a second star on their jersey. Against Croatia, the Atlético de Madrid player scored from the penalty spot and delivered two assists.
Best player in an open final against Croatia (4-2), Antoine Griezmann offers himself a first major title in his career at the age of 27, probably the greatest for a professional footballer. In a creative role, he enters a little more into the hearts of French supporters. At the top on a personal level, after a victory in the Europa League with Atlético de Madrid against Marseille, he once again climbed onto the Ballon d’Or podium (3rd).
October 10, 2021: a 100th selection and a new title
After a 2021 European Championship completely missed by the France team, eliminated in the round of 16 by Switzerland on penalties, the Blues are playing in the Final Four of the Nations League in October. After beating Belgium at the end of a stunning scenario where he offered a decisive pass (2-3), Antoine Griezmann took advantage of the Nations League final against Spain to celebrate his 100th selection.
If he is not decisive this October 10, the native of Mâcon shines with his defensive work in the middle of the field. 2-1 winners over Spain, the Blues won their first Nations League. Essential in the squad of the France team, he helps people forget the failure of Euro 2021 and wins his second and last title under the tricolor jersey.
December 10, 2022: the best passer in the history of the Blues
Undefeated since November 2020 (0-2 against Finland), the Blues arrive in Qatar as favorites to their own succession on the roof of the world. Sluggish winners of Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1) in the pools, where Griezmann delivered a decisive pass, the France team is tackling a mountain in the quarter-finals. Facing England, after eliminating Poland in the round of 16, the Blues are facing their destiny.
After a controlled match, France won 2-1 and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. The icing on the cake, Antoine Griezmann delivered two new assists to Aurélien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud and then became the best passer in the history of the France team (27 at the time). An accomplishment which further illustrates the undeniable collective contribution of the No. 7 of the Blues, essential in Didier Deschamps’ squad.
The rest is less bright. A completely failed final against Argentina where Antoine Griezmann gave up his place even before half-time and a cruel defeat for the Blues at the end of, probably, the most beautiful World Cup final of all time (3- 3, 4-2 on penalties).
November 21, 2023: 84 in a row
On March 23, 2024, Antoine Griezmann was absent from the France team gathering. Hit in the ankle, the Frenchman is not called by Didier Deschamps. An absence that resonates like a void in the Blues 11. Indeed, the midfielder misses his first match in the French jersey since August 2017. On November 21, 2023, against Greece and with the captain’s armband, Antoine Griezmann celebrated his 84th consecutive selection for the France team.
Extraordinary consistency in a sport that is a little more demanding each season with an infernal pace of matches which increases each year. A record for the French team which does not seem close to being beaten and an absence with serious consequences since the Blues logically lost 0-2 against Germany.
September 30, 2024: an unexpected retirement
Downgraded in recent months from the French team, Antoine Griezmann therefore announced his international retirement this Monday, September 30. Less influential on the Blues’ game, the playing master of the France team embodies the collective difficulties of Didier Deschamps’ squad. Euro 2024 bears witness to this. Very struggling with the ball, the Blues reached the semi-finals of the tournament by miracle, with three goals scored but only one in the game.
After two failed first matches against Austria (1-0) and the Netherlands (0-0), Antoine Griezmann was even put on the bench by Didier Deschamps against Poland (1-1), while the France is not guaranteed to qualify. Symbol of the loss of influence of the native of Mâcon, Antoine Griezmann, who starts as a substitute, only plays 28 minutes of the semi-final lost by the France team against Spain (2-1).
READ ALSO. “Exemplary”, “Just thank you”: the world of football reacts to the retirement of Antoine Griezmann
If Didier Deschamps reinstates him against Italy on September 6 (1-3 defeat), Antoine Griezmann returns to the substitutes’ bench against Belgium, in Lyon (2-0). Returning in the 79th minute, the Mâcon player then played, perhaps without knowing it, his last 11 minutes in the jersey of the France team. 137 caps, 44 goals and 30 assists. It is therefore on this assessment that Antoine Griezmann ends his career in the tricolor jersey.
