Griezmann, confidences about his retirement

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By: Manu Tournoux

Antoine Griezmann is not about to explain himself his surprise retirement from the France team last November, probably disillusioned by his downgrade within Didier Deschamps' team, a year and a half after seeing the coach of the Blues entrust the captain's armband to Kylian Mbappé. “Grizi” did not inform Olivier Giroud of his choice, as confided by the striker of the 2018 world champions, who ended his superb international career last July after Euro 2024 in Germany by finishing top scorer in the history of the selection (57 achievements).

“It’s perhaps linked to the fact that he lost friends from his generation who left, and perhaps the disappointment of the Euro”explains Giroud in an interview given to
First Team on YouTube. Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Raphaël Varane but also Karim Benzema all retired after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Griezmann, the armband of discord

Erwan Abautret, from First Teamthen asked Giroud if the choice of captaincy had pushed Griezmann towards the exit. “It could have played a role, legitimately, it could have played a role”replies the Los Angeles FC striker. And should Antoine Griezmann have been captain of the France team ahead of Kylian Mbappé? “Joker!” »Giroud only responds.

That said, “Grizi” turns 34 in March and might not have lasted physically until the 2026 World Cup organized in Canada, the United States and Mexico. It is also in MLS that the left-hander, native of Mâcon, could land last summer. Despite a contract until 2026 with Atlético, the striker could request his departure in a few months, preferably to join Lloris and Giroud at LAFC.