The international football retirement of Antoine Griezmann: A loving farewell from Kylian Mbappe
Antoine Griezmann stands second in line after Thierry Henry as far as great names in French footballing history are concerned, and his international duty now has come to an end. He played 137 times for France with 44 goals and featured in each and every key game when they won the 2018 World Cup. His colleagues, including Kylian Mbappe and coach Didier Deschamps, wished him goodbye on social media.
International Career of Griezmann
In 2014, Griezmann broke into the French team and his latent talent soon radiated over the next ten years plus. He forms the nucleus of Didier Deschamps team with both scoring the goals as well as his effectiveness in other departments, work rate, and his leadership. Griezmann played crucially for France at the 2018 World Cup where creativity matched with his vision opened the best attacking potential of the team.
After the FIFA World Cup, Griezmann was in the winning squad that claimed the trophy in the 2021 edition of the UEFA Nations League. Consistency followed by results under pressure is among the characteristics that made him greatly appreciated by fans and other players. He goes out with a legacy that seems to be here forever, putting an end to his international football career.
And though a gem in the team, Kylian Mbappe wanted to have the last word for Antoine Griezmann.
Of course, the first of many public tributes came from the current national team captain, Kylian Mbappe, whom Griezmann shared good times and triumphs for many years. It was noticeable in Mbappe’s heartfelt words when he took to Instagram with admiration for Griezmann: ” Exceptional player who carried the French team through all these years.
Mbappe said: “An exceptional player ending his career in EDF. One of the most important players in the modern era of our national team. Thank you for the unforgettable memories you have given us, you carried this team for years and greatly contributed to bringing it to the top with many titles.”
As much as Mbappe said he understood Griezmann’s decision, he could not help but appreciate the grueling choice the forward had to make: knowing very well the burden of pressure that comes with wearing a national team shirt. “Some might think that it is too early to stop just now, but I understand and respect your choice,” Mbappe wrote. “Wearing this shirt always asks for more without sometimes bringing the recognition that comes with wearing it. You will remain in the history of the French team forever.”
The emotional tribute goes on as Mbappe records his few personal thoughts about the personal privilege of playing beside Griezmann, stating, “Never cheapened it. Never sold a piece of my soul for to anyone either. Safe travels, my friend & THANK YOU.”
What does Didier Deschamps say on Griezmann legacy?
Not to be left in the dark was another such character, namely the seasoned French coach Didier Deschamps, who had seen the player throughout his international career. The Griezmann retirement plan was put to test as well. Deschamps has been the boss of the national team since 2012. Deschamps had nothing but praise for Griezmann and called him committed, professional, and impactful on French football.
On the issue, Deschamps said: “After long and careful thinking, Antoine decided that it was time to put an end to his glorious international career. We spoke about this at length lately. Ten years after his first selection into the French team, he and I have kept a relationship based on trust and very frank relations.”.
Never easy, that is for sure,” Deschamps said to add that it is not simple for a player who has represented the national team so well. “It’s never easy to draw a line under the French team, especially when you’ve represented it so well, embodied it so well. It takes courage, lucidity, and honesty and Antoine, in his analysis, didn’t lack any. It’s all to his credit.”
He concluded as follows: “Antoine was and will remain a monument of French football, one of the greatest players in its history.”.
His performance somehow went past his tally of 137 caps and 44 goals for the French national team. He is that player who can dictate the tempo for almost any match; he created unconsciously chances for others, and was always ready to make a defensive effort. His agility in action made him versatile enough to play across a range of attacking positions, from being as classic as a striker to a deep lying playmaker.
He was touted as a game-changer, most notably in France’s World Cup final win in 2018. His performances throughout the tournament-most notably during the finals against Croatia, when he scored and provided an assist-was more than enough to seal his place in popular opinion as one of the architects of French success.
A man of whom both teammates and coaches would adore for his splendid work ethic as well as the willingness to give everything, especially when it was most needed. He was that player who bridged the gap between glamour and hard work, emerging to be one of the unique players of the modern French era.
What Next for France?
France is at the crossroads and the wait for its new era has already begun to get underway. A few young stars-in-the-making for this preparation include the emergence of Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Nevertheless, with all this glitter and shine, there is one considerable miss – that is Griezmann, who, without a doubt, will be missed not only for what he contributes on the field but also for leadership and experience he brought to the group.
He retires at the best possible time as that falls only days before the squads for the October international break will be announced by Deschamps. France will play Israel and Belgium in the Nations League group stage where they are likely to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Even though Griezmann’s exit symbolizes an era, this time brings along with it a new future for the French national team. Given that Mbappe has started taking on greater responsibilities within the team as a captain, it is just a matter of time before Griezmann’s influence inspires the newest generation of French stars emerging on the grass.
Conclusion
It ends in international football with Antoine Griezmann’s retiring from France. Hugely huge legacy of both personal contribution for the national team and the role in collective success has been left behind. Years to come will see the memory of this football legend. Paying tribute, Kylian Mbappe said that Griezmann confirmed himself as one of France’s best footballers as did Didier Deschamps.
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