After playing football for his country for ten years, France's 2018 World Cup winning sensation Antoine Griezmann revealed on Monday that he was retiring from international sport. In a video that went with his statement, he said, "It is with profound emotion that I am announcing my retirement as a France player, after 10 incredible years." "It is time for me today to turn a page and hand over to the new generation." The Atletico Madrid attacker made his France debut in March 2014 and amassed 137 caps—a total surpassed only by 1998 World Cup champion Lilian Thuram (142) and his former colleague Hugo Lloris (145).
After helping his nation go to the final of the 2016 European Championship, where he finished as the tournament's top scorer with six goals, Griezmann scored in France's 4-2 victory against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow. During Les Bleus's journey to the 2022 World Cup final—a match they lost to Argentina in Qatar on penalties—Griezmann was again exceptional for the team. Though they advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, neither he nor his squad were at their best, therefore his last big event will be remembered less positively. In addition, he participated in the Euro 2020 and World Cup of 2014, and in 2021 he helped France win the UEFA Nations League. Griezmann played his farewell game for France earlier this month in a Nations League victory against Belgium at home in Lyon, a city close to his hometown of Macon in Burgundy. The former player for Barcelona and Real Sociedad had recently stated that he has no plans to leave the national squad.
In a letter sent by the national team's staff, France coach Didier Deschamps stated that he was struck with "a lot of emotion" upon receiving the news. "After giving it some thought, Antoine has chosen to end his outstanding international career. We recently had a lengthy conversation about this," Deschamps stated. "Antoine was frequently mentioned as my fave. Our bond was quite strong and it will continue to be so." Griezmann's resignation is another evidence that the French team is ending an era. Following the 2022 World Cup, Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane both announced their retirement from international play. Varane, who is only 31 years old, announced his retirement from football last week.
