A bolt from the blue: Antoine Griezmann announced his international retirement on Monday at the age of 33, after having assured that he wanted to continue with the French team, depriving it of its most experienced player.
“Grizou” (137 caps, 44 goals) will not break the cap record. He hangs up his jersey in third place behind Hugo Lloris (145) and Lilian Thuram (142), tied with Olivier Giroud who retired from international football this summer.
“It is with deep emotion that I announce my retirement as a player of the French team, after ten incredible years,” Griezmann said in a video on his X account, explaining that he wanted to “turn a page” and “make way for the new generation.”
A montage of just under two minutes shows his great moments in the national team: the victory in the World Cup in Russia, his celebrations at Euro 2016, where he scored 6 goals and lost in the final, or his tears in the quarter-final of the 2014 World Cup lost against Germany, but also moments of complicity in the locker room.
The vice-captain was coming off a Euro-2024 failure on a personal level, twice on the bench during the competition, notably during the semi-final lost against Spain (2-1). But the Atlético Madrid player assured on the Téléfoot show in September that he wanted to continue.
“Monument”, “exceptional player”
“For me, the French team is something very important, a source of pride,” he assured, having “always wanted to play to represent France, after that, it was up to [the national team coach, Didier] Deschamps to choose.”
The coach “takes note” with “great emotion” of this decision, in a message transmitted by the Blues management.
“After a long and careful consideration, Antoine has decided to end his magnificent international career. We had a long discussion about this recently,” adds “DD”, speaking of his player’s “courage”, “lucidity” and “honesty”.
Deschamps called Griezmann “a monument of French football, one of the greatest players in its history” and praised “a rare altruism among attacking players.”
“It has often been said that Antoine was my favourite. We had indeed formed a very strong relationship, which will remain intact. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, my Grizou,” concludes the coach, who must announce his list for the Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium on Thursday. He is also without his captain, Kylian Mbappé, who is injured.
In his message, Griezmann also thanks Deschamps, whose “trust” and “support” have been “essential to [his] development as an athlete.”
Captain Kylian Mbappé “respects and understands” the choice of Antoine Griezmann, “an exceptional player”, to retire from international football at the age of 33, he reacted on Monday on his Instagram account.
“An exceptional player who is ending his career in [the French team]. One of the most important players of the modern era of our selection,” praised the Real Madrid striker, adding that “some may think that it is too early to stop right away, but I understand and respect your decision.”
Philippe Diallo, the president of the Federation, also praised “Antoine Griezmann’s unwavering love for the blue jersey” who has become “a legend of the French team and of French and world football”.
“Thank you for inspiring millions of young French people with your talent and humility,” said the new Minister of Sports, Gil Averous, on X.
“Seeing the new generation shine”
Antoine Griezmann had assured that he had digested the disappointment of not inheriting the captain’s armband from Hugo Lloris after the 2022 World Cup, which fell to Mbappé.
The fact remains that this very versatile player, capable of running to all four corners of the pitch, will be missed by the Blues, who have been playing with him since a France-Netherlands (2-0) on March 5, 2003.
“I am convinced that the future is promising and I am looking forward to seeing the new generation shine,” assures the Atlético midfielder, also congratulated by his club the day after the draw snatched in the derby against Real Madrid (1-1): “You have made history with your selection.”
“Wearing this jersey has been an honour and a privilege since March 2014 and until last September,” added Griezmann, highlighting “the chance to experience extraordinary moments like becoming world champion” and to have played “alongside exceptional teammates.”
The attacking midfielder also thanks the supporters. He was the only one to greet the public at the Parc des Princes despite the defeat against Italy (3-1) in September.
It was his penultimate match for the Blues. He started with a victory against Belgium (3-1) in Lyon.
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