World Cup hero Griezmann calls time on France career
Baku, September 30, AZERTAC
Antoine Griezmann, who played a leading role as France won their second FIFA World Cup™ in 2018, has called time on his international career at the age of 33, according to the official website of FIFA.
Less than 24 hours after helping Atletico Madrid to a hard-fought point against city rivals Real in La Liga, Griezmann made his big announcement. “Today, it is with deep emotion that I announce my retirement as a player for the France team,” he said in a video retracing his career in Blue.
"After 10 incredible years, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and make way for the new generation. Wearing this jersey has been an honor and a privilege. From March 2014 until last September, I had the chance to experience incredible moments alongside exceptional teammates."
That decade of brilliance started at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, before Le Petit Prince dazzled as France reached the final of UEFA EURO 2016.
His greatest moment on the national-team stage undoubtedly came two years later when he scooped the adidas Silver Boot and the adidas Bronze Ball at Russia 2018, as France returned to the summit of world football for the first time in 20 years. He put in a Man-of-the-Match display by scoring and playing a part in two more goals as Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2 in the Moscow showpiece.
The end of his World Cup adventure was marked by another grand final at Qatar 2022, playing 71 minutes of France's eventual shootout defeat to Argentina. Shortly after the tournament, he was announced as the nation's new vice-captain following the retirement of Hugo Lloris.
In total, he played 137 matches for Les Bleus – good for third of all time behind Hugo Lloris and Lilian Thuram – while only Lloris can better his 19 FIFA World Cup appearances for France. He won 84 of those caps during a staggering run in which he failed to miss an international match from June 2017 to March 2024.
His impressive numbers are also reflected in front of goal. He scored 44 times for the national side, which trails only Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe in the all-time stakes.
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