C’is more than a chapter in the history of the French team which is ending. While no one expected it, Antoine Griezmann announced his international retirement this Monday on social networks. “It is with a heart full of memories that I close this chapter of my life. Thank you for this magnificent tricolor adventure and see you soon,” said the 33-year-old on X, posting a video of his emblematic moments in the Blues jersey.
First called up in March 2014, Griezmann was a major player in the Deschamps era for a decade. From a flying winger in Brazil for his first World Cup, the player trained in the Basque Country, at Real Sociedad, was able to reinvent himself according to his importance and the requests of his coach.
Best passer in the history of the Blues
Surgical scorer at Euro 2016, the striker then became the conductor of the coronation in Russia two years later. Always ready to serve the collective, he did not hesitate during the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 to move down a notch in midfield to compensate for the absences of Pogba and Kanté. A tireless tackler, Griezmann was one of the driving forces behind the Blues until the final and the defeat against Argentina.
The figures and statistics on Antoine Griezmann’s time in the French jersey speak for him: two titles won, including a World Cup, best passer, fourth best scorer, third most selected player in the history of the Blues and the one who has had the most consecutive matches without an absence: 84 matches played in a row, a real feat in the era of hellish schedules and frequent injuries.
Deschamps’ favorite but…
Behind this significant decade, the time for questions inevitably comes. Why is Griezmann stopping now, when he still had the opportunity to expand his legend and his records with the French team? Didier Deschamps gives his list on October 3 for the next international break. There is no doubt that the coach will be actively solicited about the retirement of the man many considered his favorite.
The captain’s armband given to Kylian Mbappé in March 2023 after the international retirement of Hugo Lloris was undoubtedly a catalyst and a turning point in the relationship between the two men. Disappointed not to be the new leader of the Blues, Griezmann completely missed out on his Euro this summer in Germany, where he appeared tired and uninspired.
The 33-year-old striker will now devote himself entirely to his club Atlético, where he hopes to finally win his first Spanish championship title. But there is no doubt that seeing a list of the Blues without the name of Griezmann this Thursday will sound like a huge void.
