Star midfielder Griezmann has referred to as time on a 10-year profession that noticed him rating 44 objectives in 137 matches for France.
France midfielder Antoine Griezmann has introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer, ending his 10-year profession with the nationwide crew.
Griezmann, who performed a vital position in France’s triumphant run on the FIFA World Cup 2018, referred to as time on his journey with the Les Blues in an emotional social media put up on Monday.
“Today, it is with deep emotion that I’m announcing my retirement as a player of the France team,” he wrote.
“After 10 unbelievable years marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it’s time for me to show a web page and make method for the brand new era.
“Wearing this jersey was an honour and a privilege.”
Griezmann was one among France’s most necessary gamers over the previous decade and scored a aim within the crew’s 2018 World Cup closing win over Croatia in Moscow.
The 33-year-old, who struggled at this yr’s Euro championship, was one of many key components within the 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns as France took the title in Russia and completed runners-up in Qatar.
Nicknamed Grizou, he was a favorite amongst his teammates and followers and was the highest scorer at Euro 2016 when France reached the ultimate, solely to be crushed by Portugal after additional time on the Stade de France.
Griezmann received 137 caps for France and imposed himself as a flexible participant in Didier Deschamps’s midfield.
“We’ve had a long discussion about [his retirement] recently. Since his debut in the France team 10 years ago we’ve had a relationship based on trust and frankness,” Deschamps mentioned in a press release.
“Even when his membership profession just isn’t over, Antoine will stay a monument of French soccer, one of many best participant in its historical past.
“It was often said that he was my favourite. We indeed had built a very strong relationship, that will remain intact. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, Grizou.”
Even when the captain’s armband went to Kylian Mbappe after Hugo Lloris’s worldwide retirement, he was at all times a voice everybody listened to.
He performed a file 84 consecutive matches with Les Bleus, a quantity that underlines his standing because the nationwide crew’s most precious participant within the final 10 years.
The Atletico Madrid ahead made his France debut in March 2014 and his 137 appearances are crushed solely by his former teammate Hugo Lloris (145) and 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram (142).
Griezmann can be fourth in France’s listing of all-time main goal-scorers with 44, behind solely file marksmen Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry and Mbappe.
Griezmann’s final look for France got here in a UEFA Nations League win at residence in opposition to Belgium earlier this month.
The striker’s determination to give up is additional affirmation that an period has come to an finish for the French facet.
Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane retired from worldwide obligation within the wake of the 2022 World Cup, with the latter quitting soccer totally final week on the age of simply 31.
Giroud stopped enjoying for his nation within the wake of this yr’s Euros in Germany.
Deschamps will identify his subsequent France squad this Thursday forward of Nations League matches in opposition to Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels 4 days later.
