Because his reign is not yet completely over, it is very difficult to measure the work of Antoine Griezmann in the France team. Whatever happens between now and the end (of the Euro or of his career), it is and will remain monumental. The world champion is now among the top 10 and perhaps even the top 5 of the most important players in the selection. He owes this status to his talent and the relationship of trust established with Didier Deschamps. Since 2016 and a tournament where he exploded, his name is the first that the coach puts on the match sheet.
If Kylian Mbappé takes all the spotlight, it is Griezmann who best embodies the DNA of this team: a sense of collectiveness and sacrifice which allows everything to be turned around. In this sense, the Madrilenian is the heir of Didier Deschamps, his most faithful avatar on the pitch. “You are still a bit of my favorite“, the coach even ended up saying all smiles last November in front of the Téléfoot cameras.”For a team, it’s wonderful to have him. A human and trusting relationship has been created“, Deschamps rejoiced in the fall.
Antoine Griezmann before France – Poland
Credit: Getty Images
You have a bone to chew on
Neither the slumps when he played in Barcelona, nor the return of Karim Benzema weakened Griezmann in blue. The French team has always remained the team he watched over with boundless dedication. Generous, without ulterior motives, always guided by the collective project. Les Bleus will remain the backbone of his career, he who only played in Spain and sought, undoubtedly more than others, the recognition of his country through the successes of the selection.I give everything for the jersey, France, but also for him (editor’s note: Deschamps). Every match, every action, it’s like a thank you to him. I want to do everything to make him proud of his number 7“, Griezmann unfolded during the 2022 World Cup when Zidane’s shadow hovered over Deschamps.
Except that at the highest level, truths are very ephemeral. It took two matches for what was thought impossible to happen against Poland. Deschamps stiffening, Griezmann on the bench and a catastrophic entry into play. “He played almost every match in fullthe coach tried to justify himself after the match. You have a bone to gnaw. For me, this is not a problem. Think what you want, but it’s not a problem, it’s a choice. Like Marcus (Thuram) blew too. It can happen to others.”
Antoine Griezmann when he came on as a substitute against Poland
Credit: Getty Images
Except that comparing Marcus Thuram and Antoine Griezmann reveals the spectacular downgrading of the former basic man. There was nothing to suggest it. “Antoine’s influence in our game is an important part. I know him too, he is a player who is used to chainingacknowledged DD after the Blues’ first match. I have complete confidence in him. For us it is important that he has the biggest influence in our game.” It’s like something broke.
Downgrading
Certainly Griezmann had already blown during the third match in Qatar against Tunisia but like the entire squad with the exception of Raphaël Varane. This time, the sidelining looks like a punishment while Grizou seemed to be lacking in form since the start of the tournament. Faced with a rare density of talent in the middle, did Deschamps choose to sacrifice the one he never touched? What is Griezmann’s status now? How will he react, he who has always played the game even when his coach chose Mbappé to wear the captain’s armband that he coveted? His completely backwards entry into the game shows that he has been affected. How could he not be? Deschamps also gave him a hard telling off during this one by accusing him of poor pressing.
Group management, communication, choice of men: Is Deschamps’ armor cracking?
Difficult to imagine France in the round of 16 without Griezmann, it hasn’t happened for more than ten years and everything that has happened so far, from Brazil to Qatar, has reinforced its influence and its place in this selection. But does he still have the funds and his place in an environment where it will be difficult to leave, for different reasons, Kanté, Rabiot and Tchouaméni. “Antoine is our second captainrecalled Dayot Upamecano at a press conference on Thursday. He is in a very good state of mind. He encouraged us, he smiled. This is an example for all of us.“And what does Deschamps think about it? Despite all the twists and turns of the past week, it is still very difficult to imagine Griezmann not starting against Belgium.
