Antoine Griezmann, the France midfielder, declared his retirement from international football on Monday. Over the past decade, he has been a pivotal figure under coach Didier Deschamps, contributing significantly to the team’s success, including a World Cup victory.
The 33-year-old, who faced challenges during this year’s Euros, played a pivotal role in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns, contributing to Les Bleus’ triumph in Russia and their second-place finish in Qatar.
“Today, I am filled with deep emotion as I announce my retirement from the France national team,” the Atletico Madrid player stated on social media.
“Following a decade filled with challenges, successes, and memorable experiences, I find it necessary to embark on a new chapter and pave the way for the emerging generation.”
“Donning this jersey represented both an honor and a privilege.”
Grizou, beloved by teammates and fans alike, distinguished himself as the top scorer during Euro 2016. France advanced to the final but ultimately lost to Portugal after extra time at the Stade de France.
Antoine Griezmann has earned 137 caps for the French national team, netting 44 goals in the process. He established himself as a versatile asset in Didier Deschamps’s midfield. Despite Kylian Mbappe taking over the captaincy following Hugo Lloris’s retirement from international duty, Griezmann remained a respected voice within the squad.
He achieved a remarkable feat by playing 84 consecutive matches for Les Bleus, a statistic that highlights his position as the national team’s most valuable player over the past decade.
Antoine Griezmann, known for his gratitude towards a role that often goes unrecognized, has become the second prominent player to announce his retirement from international football. This follows Olivier Giroud, the team’s all-time leading scorer, who concluded his international career after France’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the semi-finals of this year’s Euro tournament.
Antoine Griezmann, a pivotal figure in France’s triumph at the 2021 Nations League, is now the team’s fourth-leading goal scorer.
With over 500 appearances in La Liga, he has played for notable clubs, including Real Sociedad, Atletico, and Barcelona.
In the current season, he has netted three goals across nine matches in various competitions for Atletico.
